Beloved Gramercy ice cream shop Caffè Panna has expanded to a Greenpoint, Brooklyn location.
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Situated in a nearly 5,000-square-foot former zipper factory in Greenpoint, this new venue promises to delight ice cream enthusiasts with its extensive production facility, cafe and private event room, the Panna Party Room. The new Caffè Panna in Brooklyn will offer a unique experience similar to its Gramercy predecessor, which opened in 2019 and didn't take much time to develop a devoted customer base.
With an ever-changing menu of daily churned ice cream and hand-packed pints made from ingredients imported from Italy, guests can expect the scoop flavors to rotate daily. Founder Hallie Meyer is responsible for the creation of these exciting new flavors which are planned three months in advance and influenced not only by Italian cuisine but by savory dishes and treats in the area as well, engaging with brands such as Taku Sando by infusing their Japanese milk bread into the ice cream. “That keeps guests on their toes. They really like when their favorite flavors return. They know that things are limited, and it keeps us in a constant conversation with them,” she says. “I think that’s what made us really stand out.” One example of a flavor Meyer created is soft serve with sun gold tomatoes and Sicilian olive oil. “That is definitely not something you'd expect to have with ice cream, but it just works. And so we're always going to be pushing the boundary,” she says.
Influenced by her time spent working and traveling in Rome, Meyer has added Granita to this new location, a refreshing Italian treat perfect for hot weather. “I fell in love with Granita de Cafe when I was living in Rome and working in a kitchen there,” Meyer explains. “What I loved about the Granita there is that there was Panna on the bottom and Panna on the top,” which is what influenced a similar delicious ice cream treat at Caffè Panna.
Caffè Panna Greenpoint will also serve as a home base for launching pint deliveries across Brooklyn. Located at the corner of Norman Avenue and Banker Street, the expansive space includes a cafe with indoor seating and a window into the production room, allowing visitors to watch the ice cream being made. Ice cream-making classes are also underway, allowing visitors to learn the ropes. The private event space provides an ideal setting for hosting sweet celebrations. Orders can be placed and picked up at the window, with options for both indoor and outdoor seating.
The menu at Caffè Panna includes a variety of treats that reflect the shop's commitment to unique flavors and quality ingredients. The daily-changing sundaes are akin to composed desserts, featuring delightful combinations of ice cream, drizzles, crunches and complimentary dollops of panna. Affogatos, a specialty that combines cold ice cream with hot espresso, will also be available, along with a weekly rotating fruit flavor special. With its Italian gelateria tradition, Caffè Panna in Greenpoint promises to be a destination for ice cream lovers seeking both classic and innovative flavors. Whether enjoying a scoop at the cafe, taking home a pint or indulging in a Granita, visitors are sure to find something to satisfy their sweet tooth. “We're really excited to be a part of this neighborhood,” Meyer says, and to make guests feel a “totally unexpectedly and outrageously delicious delight.”
