Cici
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-11:00 p.m.
Sun 11:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m. - Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
284 reviews
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset
"another store that's out in the avenues.. so i barely come out here, but when i do.. *purr* the store itself is very clean, with seating [6…" read more »
27 Reviews for Cici
I love this place! It is one of my favorite "locals" spot in Mill Valley. Everything tastes really fresh, and it is spotless. It is worth the drive, any drive to try a bite...you'll be hooked! I also really like the personal touch the owners bring to it. They have a really great way about them. Highly recommend.
this couple ought to teach classes on their successful marketing strategy... or is it just the delicious gelato that speaks for itself? I have been back more than three times (sometimes in not even so many days) in succession for just another taste... what can I say. I am weak. they use ultra ripe and tasty ingredients to create all these temtping, imaginative flavors. salted caramel is one of my faves but STAY AWAY FROM IT because when I go back tonight I want there to be some left for me.
I first tried CiCi one night after eating across the street at Bungalow 44. I got Toasted Almond and Salted Chocolate (Salted Caramel's black sheep, bad girl cousin). Their toasted almond is one of the best versions of that flavor that I've ever had. Since my sweetheart is an ice cream fiend, I decided to bring him here someday soon for further investigation so that my Yelp review could be as accurate as possible (yes, i am trying to blame my ice cream/gelato addiction on Yelp. . it works for me).
The next time I tried CiCi was during the great ice cream tour of early May 2008 - during that incredible hot spell we had. Me, the man and the pooch piled into the new fully air conditioned Lainie-LouLou mobile and headed out on a quest for creamy, cold relief from the heat. We hit Fairfax Scoop first. Delicious, of course. .but heavy and filling. We then made our way towards Mill Valley. Cici gets many points for having a bowl of water for the pooch along with a hook to fasten her leash to while we go in to check out the goods. Since I had just had a rather rich combo at Fairfax Scoop I wanted to go lighter at Cici - I got a delicious combo of yogurt gelato, mango sorbetto and strawberry gelato. . not only did it look pretty together in the cup, it tasted amazing. Plus it was nice and light. . .I had to save time for our next stop on the ice cream tour. . .Swenson's!
People have mentioned that the textures are off. As far as the textural inconsistencies go, I'll take them any day over those weird vaguely chewy gelatos filled with fake flavors - I once attended a demonstration on gelato/sorbet making and the chef, who was a noted and accomplished pastry chef was making a variety of fruit sorbets using stabilizers. I asked why and he went off about how they are important and you can't have a good product without them. I told him I felt the need to not manipulate something so simple into a chemical filled mess and he flat out told me that if I didn't use stablizers that I was making a poor product that he would refuse to eat. I'll take a little iciness over manipulated smoothness any day.
Go here. The husband and wife that do everything from making the sorbets and gelatos to scooping them for you work hard to make a really great product. It's worth a lovely drive over whatever bridge to check it out.
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My husband and I visited Cici again this week -- our special treat after a day of hiking.
I must say that Cici is a gem in all respects: not only does this place offer just about the best gelato I have had anywhere (only one amazing place we found in Florence can match Cici in our opinion thus far), the friendly and helpful service cannot be matched.
I am literally giddy every time I go in, and am always careful (read: slow) to choose my flavors. Yet, I never feel rushed to make a decision, am always welcome to sample flavors I'm curious about, and have been able to get some great and thoughtful recommendations for flavors that might complement each other well.
This place is a real treat, and my only disappointment is that Cici is located down in Mill Valley and not in my own city of San Rafael. Still, I can't complain, since MV is much closer than Florence. :)
Cons: Located in Mill Valley, parking is always a pain. Also, $4.50 for a small order makes it kinda hard to have as often as I'd like.
Pros: The most amazing and unique flavors you could ask for. Truly fresh tasting, top-quality gelato and a memorable treat. Even though a bit pricey, because gelato isn't something to be eaten in bulk, the servings are satisfying.
For the record, I will state that we are friends of the owners, so that no one can complain of this being a "plant." However, as both of them are aware, we have always been honest with them about their product and have pointed out when a flavor isn't quite there on more than one occasion. (Being regulars, they have also sought out our input as well, knowing that we will be honest.)
That being said, this is some of the best gelato not only in Mill Valley, but possibly anywhere. Michael only uses fresh, local ingredients (with very few exceptions) and makes the gelato by hand - the way it used to be made in Italy. (A large portion of the gelato served in Italy is from a mix, which explains why almost all of the shops serve the same brightly coloured product.)
Cici does their best to support local organic producers - Straus Family Creamery, Clover Stornetta Farms, Marin Roots Farm, and many others. By locally sourcing their ingredients, they are able to produce fresher tasting products with a reduced impact on the environment. This does mean that you will not find strawberry or peach during December, but they have so many other choices that you will find something based on fresh ingredients that you won't miss them.
Admittedly, during the winter months the gelato is a bit firmer than what people are used to while on summer holidays in Italy, but if you just let it sit for a few minutes, it softens up perfectly.
Having been regular customers since shortly after they opened, we have sampled pretty much all of their flavors and all of them are excellent. Of course, we do have favorites - Michael has perfected his recipes for dark chocolate and caramel and the local blackberry this summer has been a total hit.
If you are the type of person who believes that whipped cream comes from fresh cream and not a tub from the freezer section (and can tell the difference), you'll love Cici's gelato.
This place is the best gelato I've had in the Bay area. I've now been there over three times and it's consistently outstanding. Can't say enough good things about it, and it's organics and local. Nice interior, and very friendly staff.
Haven't tried the food, but the gelato / sorbetto is delicious. It may make it to 5 starts over time.
the meyer lemon sorbetto was perfect on a hot sunday afternoon. Light and syrupy and delicious. I paid $2.50 or so for a kids size, which was pretty pricey but I do believe it was worth it.
However, the inside decor leaves a lot to be desired and there weren't a lot of flavors to choose from.
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This place is great. I have been coming here since they first opened, and they have improved so much since those first couple of days. I like the fresh, organic, seasonal, local thing they have going on.
My favs: chocolate and salt, chocolate chip, yogurt, lemon, coffee.
I really like the two owners as they really love what they are doing. I hope that this becomes a permanent fixture in the MVCA.
i just keep going here because the gelato is amazing!
even though i don't eat much ice cream, i don't feel guilty going here because i know how careful the owners are to make their gelato very low-milkfat (as gelato should be) but somehow they do it so it tastes super rich and delicious. maybe it's all the local straus milk?
anyhoo, if you ever want great gelato make a swing by here!
(bonus - they now accept credit cards!)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
04/09/2007
First to Review
[pronounced "chee-chee" not "see-see"] named after the owner's italian grandmother
ohmigod gelato in… Read more »
Expensive? Yes. Fresh and delish? Yes.
I love coming here in the summer because the flavors remind me of the time I spent in Italy. The person behind the counter (I think the owner) is super friendly. The lighting is fluorescent, which is weird for a gelato shop. Get your $5 small to go and walk around the town square.
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BEAUTIFUL flavors. There's nothing like it in Marin. Their flavors are delicately balanced but strong, creamy, and rich, and ingredients are always seasonal. I was disappointed when my favorite fig flavor (August) wasn't there on my next return (January) but of course it wasn't -- they had used fresh figs for the batch during the real fig season.
My favorites right now are the Yogurt and, as always, the hazelnut.
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When it comes to ice cream, Cici is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. We had desert -- carmel, salted chocolate, espresso and something-di-latte gelatos -- while we wated for them to finish our panini dinner. If we had come solely for the sandwiches, this would be a three star. But since we REALLY came for the gelato, and it was yummy yummy yummy, I will not let the so-so sandwiches change my five-star opinion of Cici. Friendly, clean, and delicious.
Dear Cici,
I was hesitant when I stepped into your brightly-lit, Mill Valley gelato abode. After all, I'm from Oakland and the only way I see this kind of gleam is when the sun shines off the Mormon Temple. I was even more hesitant when I saw the almost $5 price tag.
I knew that either you and I would hit it off or we would fail miserably. Sorry Cici, it's the former.
Your flavors were cold and hard like ice cream, not smooth and snappy like gelato should be. The coffee (espresso?) flavor was good, and tasted like it was full of strong-coffee-goodness, but again, way too hard.
I tried to like you. I tried to get behind seeing a Marin County gelateria, but Cici, I'm afraid it's just not going to work this time or ever. You stay on your side of the bay and I'll stay on mine.
Sincerely,
lisa
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Although the name, logo, and font are incredibly cute, this place was also incredibly disappointing.
After lunch, a few friends and I decided to check Cici out. I had driven past this place before, and was excited to give it a try.
The prices are comparable to other geleterias - $4.50 for a small (1-2 flavors). The gelato selection was on the small side. We ended up trying the Vanilla Bean, Apple, Lemon, and Fig flavors. Besides the Vanilla Bean, which was fairly good, the gelato's consistency was chunky and icy. Pieces would crumble off the wooden spoons before you could get it to your mouth.
If you do decide to come here, I would definitely recommend sampling the flavors out before choosing one or more.
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Excellent, creative, organic, homemade flavors, open to requests, hospitable hosts, local, good ambiance, and interesting vibe.
I live really close by, and I go ALL the time, and have an amazing experience every single time. This place just doesn't seem to disappoint.
Each visit is a surprise to see the different flavors available. Family owned, and the workers are always kind and generous. Going with friends is always a pleasure, and although prices seem a bit steep, the gelato is entirely worth it!
After a long wait for this place to open a few blocks away - while still living in MV but now back in SF - I've been there a few times. I was really disappointed with their vanilla (always a starting point for me) - weak flavor and not as rich as I would like. Plum is good but, I think the Bacio is the best out of the bunch - chocolate & hazelnut. Interior is a bit somber - especially for bright Mill Valley. Am I the only person who thinks this place is mediocre?
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CiCi is the best gelato in the Bay Area and I'd even venture to say the best outside Italy. The more I go back the more I appreciate the quality and attention to detail. Reading some of the other reviews I want to address some common misconceptions that bugged me.
1.0 Gelato is not ice cream (Scoop) and is not frozen yoghurt (Woody's). They are different products and great ones at that.. Gelato uses milk not cream so it has ~50% less fat content. In addition it is made with less air ~30% vs 50% for ice cream. With the less fat content there is less fat coating your tongue so the flavor is more pronounced. So when eating gelato the flavor should pop. If you can, try the two at the same time.
2.0 The texture is dependent on the flavor and if its Gelato (milk based) or Sorbetto (water based). To make all the flavors have the same texture and increase its shelf/freezer life you adjust the amount of stabilizer (aka gum). Gelato typically has a short shelf life (2-3 days) so the amount of what you use depends on how you plan on using/storing it. Unfortunately the more stabilizer you sacrifice flavor and texture. Too much and you get a smooth gooey product (like soft serve) but a great shelf life. Like any chef its an art to find that balance that pleases your taste and texture of what you want and that of your customers.
CiCi's product speaks for itself and I encourage everyone to taste. I don't love all the flavors, but they taste how they should. For example I didn't realize how artificial mint flavor has become compared to the real thing. Try it. Yoghurt tastes tangy - like it should. Mix it with a Mandarin (Orange) and you have a great mix - if you like real yogurt.
The flavors are fresh and seasonal (no strawberry in the winter so its not shipped from around the world or frozen). If you are eating strawberry in the winter it didn't come from around here.
CiCi has helped me rediscover my tongue - thank you!
Some people don't care and thats fine. But I can taste the difference and Im willing to pay an extra buck for that. The guys in Chowhound I think have a good perspective as well.
http://www.chowhound.c...
CiCi is the same price and cheaper than many other gelatorias in the bay area. Ask the competition is everything is fresh and made onsite? I recently had gelato in Boston that was trucked 4 days to get there!
Is it Organic? Look at the price of organic milk!
Note:
The wooden spoons are now gone! They listened.
Finally the coffee is fantastic. If you want a deal stick with the Affogato. $3.50 gets you coffee and a small gelato combo of heaven. How much did you pay for your latte the other night? Come on, fresh organic gelato and coffee? You can't beat that!
Update, 12/7/07: Wow, can anyone spot the bogus review?
Anyway...
Good flavors, bad texture, laughably high prices.
Cici is yet another Bay Area gelateria that doesn't have a clue about authentic Italian gelato. It's clear that no one involved has ever set foot in Italy, much less a decent gelateria.
Cici's texture is chalky, hard, and far too cold - much more like plain, old ice cream - but ice cream that's been sitting around in the freezer for too long. (Good, authentic gelato is never chalky, hard, and too cold, regardless of flavor). The problem with this scenario is that that's just not gelato, and texture is every bit as crucial with gelato as the flavors. Gelato should be ultra-smooth, soft but dense, goopy, snappy, and a bit melty. It should almost look a bit like toffee, the way it stretches and snaps when licking or scooping it. A far cry from the sad stuff at Cici. Plus, I think Cici may be storing their gelato at temperatures that are too cold, because good Italian gelato is *never* this cold.
However, Cici does get some of the flavors right. They nailed the nocciola (hazelnut) pretty well, and the espresso was nice and potent too. I'll give them a point for that. However, the chocolate was bland and underwhelming.
The prices are absurdly high. $4.50 for a small? An additional dollar for a cone? But this is Mill Valley, a town where most residents' income exceeds 6-figures, so Cici can get away with that. But Cici is charging a helluva lot more than vastly superior gelaterie in Italy charge, not to mention, the best gelateria I've found in the Bay so far (Gelateria Firenze, in Oakland) is a dollar cheaper on average. So, basically, Cici is selling an inferior, mediocre product at a stupidly high price.
It'd be nice if Cici's owners had ventured over to Italy to see what the real thing is like before trying to make their own.
PS - the wooden spoons are kind of lame - you taste a hint of wood with each bite. That can be avoided by using the plastic spoons used everywhere else. Cici - get with the program!
Currently the best gelato in the Bay Area.
The tangy yogurt gelato is a must-try. Cherry vanilla, chocolate and raspberry sorbet was also excellent
Segafredo Zanetti coffee from Italy is served.
Very nice staff that encourages sampling.
There is a parking lot in the back in addition to easy street parking.
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-- UPDATE --
*You no longer need to speak Italian or ask 20 question here, they have English on the menu.
*The rude lady has either left or transformed in to a jolly good fellow (perhaps less of that "opening a business" stress now).
*They STILL use the CRAPPY TASTING WOODEN SPOONS. Some folks never learn.
---
God cop bad cop, yummy Gelato, lame spoon and price.
Quality gets 5 stars.
Overpriced ($9 for two smalls) and use of wooden spoons (not tasty) drops a star. I especially liked the mint chip as it had bits of mint leaf (yum!). For non-Italian speaking folks, bring your translator. If they are busy, you waste time by having to ask what everything is. An older lady helped us and she was really nice. I especially liked that she didn't know Italian either, so we were in the same boat. This led to much taste testing, which is always fun. A younger lady was there who knew Italian, but she seemed a bit snotty about that rather than helpful.
FYI - free parking can be had on the streets around the corner.
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Most amazing gelato! They just opened and they make all the gelato upstairs themselves. All of the fruit only (non-dairy) is fat free! They try to use all organic products too. It is ammazing! The strawberry tastes like real strawberry, lemon-lemons, almond-almonds...I felt like I was in Willy Wonka. The owners are very nice....I will be coming here often. yum.
Family owned and operated, hence the prices, but worth the extra buck fifty. The Straus Yogurt Gelato is fantastic!
I love that gelateria's have been popping up all over, but I've been noticing a drop in quality at some of my regular East Bay spots, so I of course was hesitant about a new one - but after a taste or two, I was blown away by the creamy, gooey, properly made, very flavorful, delicious gelato, and now plan to make it a regular stop on my Mill Valley expeditions.
The quality is excellent - all made in-house too, which is becoming a rarity. And the owners are friendly and personable. Bonus stars for that.
It's really surprising this place hasn't been here for years. It's very Mill Valley, fitting right in with the expensive boutiques and holier-than-thou-Marin-environmentalist attitude. The gelato is absolutely delicious, and being a good Marin resident I do appreciate the connection to Marin Organics; it just tastes too good. I'd especially recommend the Florra di Latte- amazing! The store itself is sleek and beautiful. I have never seen an ice cream case quite like theirs.
That said.. I purchased two medium cups for my friend and me and it was $11! Clearly this won't be a frequent summer stop, but I'm glad it's here and hope it stays.
Delicious, almost as good as the gelato in Florence.
I love they are open late!
I had a big day yesterday. Took the ferry over to Marin, making my obligatory stop at Ciao Bella for my pomegranate coconut sorbet concoction which I let melt just enough so that I can mix the flavors together... oh yes. Then after dinner, I was offered my second treat of the day, gelato at Cici's, which was a treat indeed. Everything tasted exactly like its flavor, it was almost eerie. I had half mint chip, which tasted like fresh mint, and plum, which was just like eating a ripe plum... except it was creamy. My friend had the pistachio, which tasted just like a pistachio, and the chocolate hazelnut that tasted like a hazelnut truffle. I'd never had such a literal desert before. To top it off, and keep us awake for the movie we were about to dive into, we accompanied our gelato with expresso's - I was told this was a very euro experience. Who knew Mill Valley was hip??
4 stars because, while amazing, I still pledge my loyalty to Ciao Bella.
I wish everyday could be this eventful.
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I went in here after people said it was 'so great,' and I'm totally disappointed. Don't get me wrong, it tasted GREAT---all 3 and 1/2 wooden spoonfuls of it. But what the hell? I asked for a kids small, and I was given a dollop of gelato in a small cup. But just when I assumed that precious small dollop was mine, she went back and took her steel spatula and careened over 1/2 of it.
So after 3 1/2 wooden spoonfuls, and $2.75, mind you, I'm going back to Woody's in Strawberry.
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