The inspiration for an Italian gelateria and espresso bar comes from Nardi family history. Starting at about five or six years of age, I started helping my father Salvatore, fill and heat the Moka Pot, the small silver coffee pot used to make espresso, nightly after dinner. The highlight of the week was when I would help my mother Helen, make small batches of gelato in the hand-cranked ice cream maker. She followed the rules set down by Mary Rose Nardi, her Mother in-law, only fresh milk and seasonal fruit or nuts went into making the small batches of gelato on Saturday nights. It wasn’t until after college, when living in Minneapolis, that I realized that the authentic Italian food that I loved was not readily available. So, I took time to learn the techniques and recipes of my Nonna (Italian Grandmother) from my aunts, and the art of wine and cheese making from my uncles. Today I have passed down to my children, not only how to use the Moka pot and hand-cranked ice cream maker but also, how to make mozzarella and ricotta cheeses, cured salami and Italian sausage, cookies and pastries, and pasta from scratch.