by Michael Montalvo
Daily Lobo
As the stubborn mercury refuses to fall, Albuquerque is falling for gelato.
The city's newest gelato shop, Berry Ocean at 4410 Wyoming Boulevard N.E., opened July 28.
The gelato shop and cafÇ serves 24 flavors of gelato and frozen yogurt, which are all made in-house.
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Yong-Hee Lee owns Berry Ocean. Her inspiration for opening the gelato and coffee shop was her children, said her husband, Sung-Hee Lee.
"We want our children to eat healthier," he said.
Yong-Hee Lee owned a gift shop before getting into the gelato business.
Sung-Hee Lee works part-time at Berry Ocean as the only person who makes the gelato.
"All of the gelato, I make here, and none (are) older than two days," he said.
Sung-Hee Lee received his master's degree in computer science from UNM in 2005 and works full time as an information technology technician in the UNM Continuing Education Department.
He said he makes five to eight pans of gelato each weekday and more than twelve per day on weekends.
Berry Ocean has already accumulated a regular customer base, Sung-Hee Lee said.
"They come in during the evening to find out what new flavors I am making and then pre-order pints for the next day," he said.
Berry Ocean offers a variety of interesting gelato flavors.
The green chile mango
gelato and guacamole gelato offer customers a New Mexican twist on the traditional Italian
dessert. Both flavors are pleasantly refreshing.
Cream flavors include tiramisu, white chocolate and caramel cream. Fruit flavors such as lemon, blueberry and orange are also available.
Berry Ocean offers a great product that isn't overdone with complicated flavors, said Albuquerque customer Jacques
Chretien.
"This here is pistachio. It's not like an American ice cream pistachio, where it doesn't taste really like pistachio nut," Chretien said. "These gelato flavors taste more like the real thing."
And there is a reason for that.
Only the freshest ingredients available are used to make the gelato at Berry Ocean, Sung-Hee Lee said.
Along with the gelato and frozen yogurt, Berry Ocean also serves premium coffee drinks, chai tea, fat-free smoothies and other specialty creations. For caffeine lovers, Berry Ocean offers a few specialty items that are sure to satisfy your biggest caffeine cravings. The Berry Ocean Original is a simple drink made with blended ice, espresso and a gelato flavor of your choice.
Berry Ocean also serves Illy, a premium Italian coffee with beans from nine regions of the world. Considering the quality of the coffee used, Berry Ocean's treats are competitively priced, Sung-Hee Lee said.
The environment at Berry Ocean is fun and friendly, said Denise Wade, a sophomore nursing student at UNM.
"I like it a lot," said Wade. "The gelato is really good, fresh, and it has better nutritional value than regular ice cream."
A complete menu and store information are available on Berry Ocean's Web site, BerryOcean.com.
Pints of gelato and frozen yogurt can be purchased with a call-in order. Call 294-5506 to place an order or get more
information.
Berry Ocean
4410 Wyoming Boulevard N.E.
Monday-Thursday
7 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Saturday
9 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday
10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
