Tubs of gelato made in Italy tempt the tummy at Baladoche in Rogers Park. The rich gelato bursts with flavor, whether you order hazelnut, chocolate, amaretto, pistachio or raspberry. Enjoy a small serving for $3.66 or a mix of a couple of flavors in a slightly bigger cup for $4.55.

Baladoche, which also has another gelato joint on Clark, is a welcoming place with red-orange walls and a couple of black leather couches that call for lingering awhile. A handful of tables and a counter with tall chairs also provide room for plenty of other folks craving gelato.

Besides gelato, Baladoche offers sweet Belgian waffles, coffee drinks and packages of spark-you-up Lavazza coffee to brew at home. The café attracts Loyola students and other neighborhood folks. As the theme song from "The Hills" piped in through the sound system on one afternoon, a few Loyola girls enjoyed gelato while commenting on how huge the Woodfield mall in Schaumburg is. Another said that her mother, who was to visit from out of town soon, is afraid of Chicago and likely would want to stay in the suburbs during her visit. 'Tis a shame if the woman does, though, for she would miss out on gems like Baladoche.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Mary Susan Littlepage