Here at Fiorello’s, we’re all about community. In our new Foodie-rello’s blog series, we’re taking the opportunity to highlight some of our favorite local businesses, and introduce the Fiorello’s eatership to whom we consider the “Best of the Bay Area.” Living in such a culturally rich locale, with no shortage of fantastic fine dining and family-owned markets to source nutritious food, we think it’s only right.
Today we’re hanging out with the good folks at Cafe Apae, learning more about their boutique catering service that specializes in serving espresso and gelato from their line of vintage Italian scooters.
The Story behind Cafe Apae
Cafe Apae owners/operators Nick Gast and Andie Buffkin are in the business of providing an experience.
When the opportunity arose to purchase their first mid-twentieth century Vespa scooters in 2017, they jumped on it — having then the foresight to pair these beautifully restored tokens of Italy’s past with a specialty catering service, offering espresso and the finest Italian ice cream in the world — our very own Fiorello’s Artisan Gelato, made right here in Marin County, California, and brought to your doorstep on a 1960’s Vespa!
Initially conceived as a wedding and corporate event-focused catering business, it turns out the experience Cafe Apae offers is highly sought after for all types of gatherings (especially anything during summer, unsurprisingly).
No matter the occasion, Cafe Apae delivers a popular touch of vintage charm that’ll make any celebration truly memorable.
Owners' passion for Italy Revealed
Nick and Andie bring together the best of Northern California food culture with Italian fine-fare by drawing from each of their respective heritages and passions.
Andie’s self-described infatuation with 1960’s/70’s Italian culture (her family hails from Florence), mixed with Nick’s native Sonoma sensibilities, yields a decadent and unique hybrid of dessert nostalgia that will augment any event or party.
Their traditional espresso beverages are made with organically grown beans, rich with chocolate, praline, and toffee notes, and always sourced by local roasters here in Northern California.
Fully stocked with nearly 100 Fiorello’s flavors at their disposal, Cafe Apae is well equipped to satisfy any crowd they cater to.
We asked Nick and Andie why they choose Fiorello’s out of all the other Italian ice cream options that exist for restauranteurs:
"It’s easy, Fiorello’s is the best. They have the best selection and most authentic gelato outside of Italy. We just got back from three weeks in Spain last night. We tried “gelato artigianale” every chance we had (as a little market research) and Fiorello’s blew every gelato we tried out of the park."
As a little market research of our own, we always ask our community partners and patrons what their favorite Fiorello’s flavor is. Andie replied:
“we don’t just have one favorite…but my current loves are Nocciola and Raspberry Sorbet."
