Indulging in Bottega's Irresistible Affogato

After eagerly awaiting the soft open, we wandered in to Bottega Italian Market in early morning to sample goodies and look around.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

A few weeks ago, Bottega Italian Market opened its doors on Marietta Square. We had watched the restaurant's progress over the recent months, so were thrilled when the soft open happened in May.

On Friday morning of Memorial Day weekend, we wandered in right at open, curious to meet the owner and staff, look around a bit, check out the selection of fresh baked breads and Italian packaged foods, and maybe get a quick coffee.

Instead of coffee, the staff coaxed us into trying an affogato. For the unfamiliar, this is a tasty sweet coffee treat created by pouring hot espresso over a frozen gelato. Usually reserving our sweets for the afternoon, we hesitated.

But then, we reconsidered. After all, while not 100% certain given some of the quirky history of Georgia legislators, we were pretty sure that there were no obscure laws that prohibited dessert before lunch.

The steamy, dark espresso poured over the luscious, velvety gelato to create an intense affogato. We recommend pleasuring yourself with one.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe

We watched and waited in anticipation as the steaming black coffee poured luxiuriously over the sweet vanilla gelato, creating a fluffy cream-colored layer of rich sweetness that we knew would coat our lips with each sip. As the cup and spoon was handed over, we could hardly wait for the first taste.

We won't try to describe the incredible pleasure that we enjoyed from this morning treat. We'll just recommend that you pleasure yourself with one, double or even multiples.

We decided to wait for another occasion to test the menu. In the interest of full disclosure, we had tried one of Bottega's meatball sandwhiches on fresh-baked Italian bread while visiting a Marietta Square festival. But, after 30 years in the restaurant business, we have a firm rule against visiting fledgling restaurants in their first 60 days. Experience has taught us that new owners, staff and customers all need time to adjust, reset, learn and improve. So despite the cravings we felt for the sandwhich or one of the fresh-baked goods, we decided to allow our self-imposed waiting period to expire before giving in to our desires.

Bottega Italian Market and Pizza is located on Marietta Square. We have the end date of our waiting period marked on all calendars.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

We have that 60-day date marked on our physical calendar and reminders posted on our virtual ones. It didn't help when we strolled by again on Monday and spotted crowds lined at the counter and others eating pizza and other goodies at the outdoor tables.

Trying to hold our deep yearnings in check, we're waiting again, carefully counting down the days.