The new Chinatown condo development at 235 Pender Street is getting an organic, 100% vegan gelato shop. I took a look inside the 1,200 sqft construction site late last week with owner Ian Bruce – a software industry executive and passionate foodie – and the interior and brand designers (St. Marie and Glasfurd & Walker). Umaluma – as it’s called – will be a retail pint and scoop operation with 16 seats and over 20 flavours when it opens next month. What’s in a name? ‘Umaluma’ is pure poppycock. “I just like saying it,” Ian told me. “It means nothing and everything.” (Likewise, ‘poppycock’.)

I’m not all that into vegan representations of anything and that for damn sure includes gelato, but after a few spoonfuls of the stuff – drunken cherry with bourbon and salted pecan; dark chocolate truffle; strawberry malbec – I was totally sold. Each taste was super creamy, smooth and densely textured with boldly pronounced flavour. There’s really nothing on the market like it. Take a look…

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