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Stanford Shopping Center will soon be receiving a kiss of milk. Literally.
Gelateria Bacio di Latte, which translates to “kiss of milk” in Italian, will open its first Bay Area location in March or April, according to Fung Choi, who oversees partnerships and media relations for the brand.
Founded in 2011 by Italian brothers Edoardo and Luigi Tonolli in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Bacio di Latte now has more than 200 locations in the country and 16 in Southern California. All gelato at Bacio di Latte’s U.S. locations are made in-house daily using organic milk and organic cream from Clover Family Farms in Sonoma County. A case of at least 22 flavors is the focal point at each Bacio di Latte location, and a new flavor is introduced every three weeks.
“When we say we use the best ingredients, it’s pistachio from Southern Italy, hazelnut from Northern Italy, Piedmont,” Choi said. “Our research and development team and also production team are going to search and study the way that we can also use some locally sourced ingredients near Palo Alto.”
Bestselling flavors are the Giandujotto (hazelnut and chocolate gelato with whole hazelnuts), 3 Cioccolati (a blend of 60% cacao, 70% cacao and stracciatella) and Cioccolato (Belgian chocolate). Four vegan sorbets are available in strawberry, raspberry, lemon and Belgian chocolate flavors.
Cups ($7.45-$10.75), sugar cones ($6.05-$8.95) and waffle cones ($9.15-$12.95) are available. Upgrade to a Ciocchino to get the cup or cone spread with Nutella or pistachio cream ($8.95-$14.45) and sprinkled with chopped hazelnuts or pistachios ($0.75).
In addition to gelato, Bacio di Latte offers affogatos, which is an Italian dessert consisting of gelato and espresso. Build your own affogato with any available gelato flavor or choose one of four specialty affogatos, such as Crema & Biscotti, made with cookies and cream gelato, espresso, whipped cream and crushed chocolate cookies, or Caramello Saltado, made with salted caramel gelato, espresso and caramel cream ($9.75).
The design of the gelateria is inspired by a cozy Italian country kitchen and will feature hand-glazed tile, exposed wood beams and millwork with white paint, “reminiscent of the most important ingredient of gelato: milk,” according to a press release. A rolling library ladder will allow workers to access shelves filled with milk bottles, latte cups, copper bowls, whisk and other cooking tools.
Music will change throughout the day, with jazz in the morning, pop and samba in the afternoon and tango and electronica in the evening.
Two weeks after opening, Bacio di Latte will host Bacio Sweet Day, where customers can receive free gelato from 1 to 6 p.m. and can choose to make a donation. Bacio di Latte will match that donation and will use the money to support a local nonprofit organization. The beneficiary has not yet been selected.
“Our journey has been driven by a passion for sharing the authentic taste of Italian gelato with the world,” said Edoardo Tonolli in a press release. “We look forward to welcoming the vibrant Palo Alto community into the Bacio di Latte family and continuing to create unforgettable moments, one scoop at a time.”
Bacio di Latte continues to expand in California, with plans to open additional locations in Orange County, San Diego, San Jose and more.
Other eateries coming to Stanford Shopping Center include Cedar & Sage and Delarosa, both expected to open in November.
Bacio di Latte, Instagram: @baciodilatte.us. Opening March or April 2026.
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