On Third Thought
On Third Thought is a combination gelato and wine bar that serves scoops, pints and wines, as well as gelato with alcohol-infused flavours like Aperol spritz and mojito.
The spot has plenty of neighbourhood feel tucked away on a quieter side street just off Queen West.
Longtime vegan Jade Lalonde and her boyfriend Joey Ottaviano started On Third Thought, which is also vegan with no dairy, eggs, gluten, nuts or soy.
Ottaviano is the one who whips up the gelato in small batches every night using rice milk to still achieve optimal creaminess for flavours like cookies 'n' cream and strawberry shortcake (they say both sell out every day).
The fruitier options – strawberry, mango and coconut – are prepared with only sugar, water and fresh fruit. We're talking real strawberries, mango and coconut pulp to achieve an extremely refreshing sorbet.
Three boozy options also come on the menu. Aperol spritz comes with orange sorbet and Aperol while mojito (made with mint they grow themselves) and pina colada are made with rum. Lalonde recommends combining either the mojito or pina colada with a scoop of strawberry.
The mojito will have you puckering your lips, with the sour lime and mint tastes balanced out nicely by the sweeter and equally refreshing strawberry (single: $5, double: $8).
Rotating flavours influenced by Lalonde's Caribbean or Ottaviano's Italian backgrounds join the others every once and a while. The affogato ($7.50) is the marriage of two Italian staples: gelato and espresso.
The fresh shot of espresso can be paired with any one of the creamier flavours but classic French vanilla is the typical choice.
There's also a freezer full of pints ($12.99), if that's how you prefer your gelato.
The wine bar side of the shop includes a list of flat and bubbly wines and proseccos, and each has been paired up with one of the gelatos on offer, so you can grab a pint and bottle to go.
The tropical notes of Misty Cove sauvignon blanc match the mango and Santome Sanrichard sparkling red and a pint of chocolate is said to make for an indulgently decadent experience. But Lalonde's favourite is Lodi chardonnay with pina colada.
If a drink is all you're after, they offer that too. Red sangria, mimosa and Aperol spritz ($10) with two shots of prosecco, one-shot of Aperol and some soda are all options.
Head outside to pose with your drink, or gelato before it melts, in front of the colourful wall mural to fully commemorate a hot summer day.
Fareen Karim