Morano Gelato Is Bringing Sicilian Treats to Chestnut Hill

A popular New Hampshire-based gelato shop is coming closer to Boston: Morano Gelato will open inside the Mall at Chestnut Hill over Memorial Day weekend, a press release announced today. (Let the gorging commence: The first Boston-area Pepe's Pizza will eventually move in next door.) The expansion was mentioned on the Boston Chowhound forum a couple times over the past few weeks, and posters on that site are excited about its arrival.

Morano Gelato was founded in Hanover, N.H. in 2010 by Morgan Morano, a chef who apprenticed with a gelato maker in Sicily. She sold the original shop in 2013 but still serves as executive chef; according to the website, Morano will jump back into ownership at the Chestnut Hill location. In April, Marano published her first book, The Art of Making Gelato: 50 Flavors to Make at Home.

At the Hanover shop, 16 flavors are made in-house, and Morano also offers semifreddo desserts, espresso, San Pellegrino floats, and other seasonal beverages and treats. Lauded locally for making authentic Italian gelato, Morano was named Best Gelato by Yankee Magazine this year, and previously received some positive praise on a national scale from Forbes. The New Hampshire location is also apparently a good place to watch European football action, too.

Keep tabs on Facebook for more information about opening weekend in Chestnut Hill. According to the page now, Morano will be open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon - 7 p.m.

UPDATE: The shop will now likely open after Memorial Day weekend, probably in the last week of May.