Venerosa Gelato sates cravings for cool, creamy treats one luscious scoop at a time.

For co-owner Mike, gelato isn't just a welcome dessert — it's a muse that inspired his, and his business partners', boldest career move yet. "I'm a big fan of desserts," he says. "When I first tried gelato, I was just amazed."

A self-proclaimed fitness buff, Mike's goal was to craft gelato using only the finest natural ingredients. "We wanted to make something very natural. We don't use any artificial colours or flavours," he explains. "We make everything in small batches, so it's very fresh. We spent two years perfecting everything."

Centrally located in West Queen West, an area Mike says "is great for foot traffic," Venerosa Gelato tempts strollers looking to enhance their passeggiate with something sweet.

Opened in June, the spot is already proving popular thanks to a menu that jumps from single scoops to take-home pints ($14.95).

Despite the origins of its name — an ornate geometric pattern created over the course of eight years as Venus dances around the earth — the subdued space is minimally decorated. Customers' focus, then, immediately falls to the gelato counter and its tempting collection of flavours.

Inspired by the seasons, tradition, and a dash of creativity, options at Venerosa Gelato range from classics, like Belgian Milk Chocolate and Pistachio, to nouveau inventions like gulab jamun-flecked Eastern Bliss and cardamom-perfumed Triple Milk Cake.

"We always have dairy-free options," adds Mike, reciting a list of fruit-focused flavours, from Mango and Strawberry to Lemon. Chocolate Sorbet, a non-dairy option Mike says he has "never seen," is already "killing it" with customers.

Single scoops are available in a cup or cone ($5.95), with or without a half macaron shell ($0.95) topper.

Sourced from a French bakery in our nation's capital, macarons are also available sandwiched around customers' favourite gelato flavour ($4.95). Its sugar content amped up by the cookie shell, this small, customizable treat is for serious sugar fiends.

Erected on a waffle cone ($1) a scoop of chocolate gelato is capped off with a cookie-flecked orb of Espresso Bicoff ($8.95) for an entrée-sized dessert you'll have to race to finish in warm weather.

Made with an invigorating shot (or two!) of potent espresso, the team's Affogato ($7.00) is for customers yearning for a dessert that will give them a little buzz as it sates their need for sweets.

Gelato Blizzards ($9.95,) colossal options the team might have to rechristen, are creamy and cookie-studded. When made with Mint Chip gelato and chocolate sandwich cookies, every bite is cool and fresh, with enough add-ins to keep teeth busy.

A place that honours Italy's revered gelato traditions, Venerosa Gelato is also a business dedicated to spreading "the message of love through gelato," says Mike.

Venerosa Gelato is located at 801 Queen Street West.