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Pitango opens its newest location in Adams Morgan

Pitango Gelato (Neah Gray)

Pitango Gelato, known for its simple ingredient gelato and traditional Italian influences, opened up its sixth and largest location on Oct. 28 in the heart of Adams Morgan.

Pitango Gelato first opened its doors in 2007 in Fells Point, Md. Since then, they went on to open stores in Reston, Va., and various locations in Washington, including Capitol Hill. In 2015, the company launched Pitango Bakery + Cafe in Baltimore, a twist to their regular Pitango shops where they sell Italian sandwiches and bakeries rather than gelato.

Two years later, Pitango is still sticking to the basics while offering customers a new experience in its brand new Adams Morgan store. The store, located at 1841 Columbia Road NW, is the first location to offer gelato, a bakery and cafe all in one location. Pitango employee Taylor Thomas stated that the other two locations “are just gelato and coffee. This location serves sandwiches, salads, hot sandwiches, coffee, beer, wine, and gelato as well.”

Pitango is best known for its authentic gelato, and they pride themselves on sticking to the basics. The company says what makes Pitango different from other gelato shops is that they don’t use additives, coloring, or preservatives in their food. Their gelato is made with milk from organic grass-fed cows on a farm in Pennsylvania. The Adams Morgan location now offers customers a front row seat to the gelato making process by having the machines in the front of the house.

On Nov. 6, Alisa Dan, Pitango Gelato brand manager of stated that, “We really are enjoying the Adams Morgan neighborhood so far. This past weekend was so busy we sold out of several items. Not a bad problem to have,” Dan said in an email.

Customers at Pitango. Photo by Neah Gray

On the grand opening, Rogers scooped gelato and sorbet for most of the day. She talked about the ingredients in Pitango’s gelato and how hard it is to find real fresh gelato. “Everything is high quality,” Rogers stated. She also noted that her favorite part is “seeing people taste test the flavors and their reactions when they taste a really good flavor.”

Bob Sullivan, an Adams Morgan resident who has also visited other Pitango locations, noted that “The guys here are just really friendly.” Sullivan also pointed out that, “This area needs more coffee shops and some more places for people to hang out, either to work or be with friends.

Philz opened around the corner and is packed, Sullivan said.

“There’s no seats in it. So clearly there’s demand, so this is really a welcoming addition to the neighborhood.”

Pitango’s Adams Morgan location is also offering a new coffee sourced from local D.C. roaster Vigilante Coffee. The new espresso ‘Fortunata’ is a “custom Pitango espresso” that has a toasty flavor with notes of fruit and honey.

Lauren Taylor, a local resident, and Pitango customer stated that “The location is great because I live in Woodley Park, right off of Connecticut Ave., and there aren’t a ton of coffee shops over there,” she said.

Many employees stated that it’s been a busy but successful opening. Both customers and employees are curious but excited to see what the future holds for Pitango’s Adams Morgan location, and the company as a whole.

Thomas, the Pitango employee, said of the new location, “I’ve been working with Pitango for five years, going on six, and this is a new concept for a D.C. location. It’s a brand new store, different neighborhood… people are very excited.”

 

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