Decades before the book “Eat, Pray, Love” was popular, my heart led me to explore the sights, sounds and flavours of Italy. I was 19 years old and had only just arrived in Rome, when a hot blooded Roman, astride a smokey grey Ducati, cruised up beside me and asked me to the movies. Who could refuse? The rest is history.
It only took Alessandro three days to propose over a pizza near the Spanish Steps. I was speechless. Logic was rolling the absurdities of the situation around in my head, but my heart begged to differ. Three coins in a fountain later I was living in Rome, my head in the clouds, not speaking a word of Italian but knowing that this is where I should be.
Somehow, the language barrier was never an obstacle for us. Whenever we couldn’t understand each other, we just stop talking, enjoyed being in love, and ate gelato. We ate A LOT of gelato back in those days. And, this is how I became a gelato expert!
Now, 25 years later, Alessandro and I are back in Ottawa and, alongside our three children Zachary, Erica and Matthew, we’re starting the Gelateria we’ve always dreamt about. Our mission at Stella Luna Gelato Café is to make you fall helplessly, head over heels in love with gelato…and share a few laughs while we’re at it.
Ours is love story infused with passion – for both our family, our roots and our gelato business.
We look forward to sharing it with you,
Tammy and Alessandro Giuliani
HOT blooded Roman!!!!!!!!!!UAU!!!!!!!! Roman I knew it, blooded thats fine……….from where comes the HOT part?????? hahaha
Guys, count on us any time. I can help both you any weekend……..payment: GELATO yummy, yummy!
You guys were made for each other and I hope you the best!!!!!!!!!!
you guys are the nicest people I ever met!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love this story! Your store is exactly what this neighborhood needed. Been to Italy 3 times now and fell in love with it, so it will be nice to have a ‘taste’ of it here in Ottawa.
Went last evening with a friend-first time there, will be back. Loved the lemon sorbet-so nice and tart. Cappucino delish as well
We were at Stella Luna on Sunday, OM OM OM… I do not know where to start. The community has certainly embraced Tammy and Alessandro and their dream. Stella Luna is and will be one of the places to go for everyone. The enviroment is so friendly and COMFORTA|BLE, we were treated as family… do I need say anymore, and the decor, is so calming, all you need to do is go one time and you will be hooked. However … HOWEVER, just try the DELICIOUS EXOTIC SEXY GELATO….. and you will be in Gelato heaven. I will be back and bringing friends… Angela Ierullo
Wow, always nice to know these things happen in real life! Thanks for sharing your story – and wishing your business & family the very best always! Tina.
I saw you featured on Regional Contact this evening. Lovely story. Bellisimo. I plan to stop in next time I’m in Ottawa.
It is a beautiful story, it is an outstanding ” gelato” which is worth a a trip to Ottawa
Can’t wait to stop by your place – and so sorry nothing like that happened to me when I was in Rome 4 years ago. Maybe next time…
I stopped by for the first time today. My wife and I picked up some paninis and two flavors of gelato to go. The food is fantastic! We loved it and will definitely be recommending it to our friends and family.
Ciao, ci vediamo
Franco and Laura
e’ stupendo avere un angolo d’Italia qui ad Ottawa………………..grazie ragazzi…!