Even in winter, cold desserts hot

PROVO — Moo-o-o-ve over, ice cream.

Maestro's Gelato Cafe is introducing another dairy dessert to satisfy eager Utah Valley taste buds that may be yearning for a sugary treat with a European twist.

While the area has plenty of ice cream shops — and even a custard and rice pudding place thrown into the mix — people said the area can support even more. There will never be a dearth of customers craving treats, they say.

"I come here all the time. Ice-cream desserts are a favorite," says Beccy Neely, 23, of Provo. She visits Maestro's about once a week.

Maestro's crepe chef, Chris Stefansciw, 31, of Provo, says in cities like San Francisco and Seattle, people go out for cocktails or coffee. In Utah Valley, because of the LDS culture, dessert is the set social event.

"It's like an LDS bar," according to Maestro employee Parker Stevens, 18, of Provo.

Stefansciw added that on weeknights, their main customers are college students on dates.

That is exactly why Maestro's is strategically located on Center Street in Provo, near Brigham Young University and Utah Valley State College and their dating-age population. It is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and closed Sundays.

"It's a cheap date — especially if you're going to college," said JoAnna Tolsma, 21, of Provo. She and her fiance, Robert Fountain, 21, of Provo, shared a small cup of raspberry gelato from a cozy table.

Located at 22 W. Center St., Maestro's also touts the historic downtown Provo feel that is bound to bring out all ages.

"This is a marvelous place," said Pauline Hafen, 87, of Provo. She said her grandson brought her to Maestro's since he liked it so much.

"It's a date with grandma," said Cole Rasmussen, 23, of Spanish Fork. He attends UVSC.

Other local dessert-store employees say they aren't worried about the gelato competition.

Ryan Burnell, manager of Pudding on the Rice, 2293 University Ave., Provo, said, "I don't feel threatened by any of the ice-cream places, really."

Burnell says you can't go wrong with pudding — especially with names like "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "The Peter Primate Special," which is a mix of walnuts, chocolate chunks and banana cream.