Regal Glace
Samples – Pistache, Rocher, Nougat
Caramel Fleur de Sel, Rhum Raisin, Vanilla Noix Pecan, Chocolat Blanc
Returning from Roanne with plans to walk the hills surrounding la Croix Rousse before dinner it was another hot day in Lyon that prompted a stop for ice cream, and although entirely disappointed by high prices and subpar product at Rene Nardone a day prior the experience at Regal Glace proved very much the opposite – a vast menu of housemade sorbet, glace, and yoghurt first offered for sampling and then topping a freshly baked waffle cone with flavors and texture as good or better than many well regarded artisans back home.
Originally founded in 1948, but clearly adapting flavors and modern techniques to form a lineup now sold at a few locations throughout the city of Lyon, the layout of Regal Glace is that of an artisanal scoop shop and using rough French to interact with staff’s limited English each of the flavors sampled from small gelato spoons was a spot on rendition of its eponymous ingredient, the eventual selection of four scoops carrying a tally of merely 6€, a relative bargain compared to several other spots around town.
Serving more than 50 frozen varieties, each made throughout the day to replenish supplies as required, flavors such as Pistachio, Hazelnut, White Chocolate, and Nougat were as mild as one would expect from the included ingredients but moving onward to more bold choices the sweetness levels rose as flavor profiles became more robust, a best bite from this limited tasting proving to be either the ‘salty caramel’ with a creamy base streaked in smooth ribbons or butter pecan, a flavor seemingly no longer en vogue back stateside but breathed new life by Regal Glace through the use of cream and butter the likes of which are rarely found outside of France.
www.regalglace.fr