Downtown Berkeley gelato shop Almare is turning 10 this year. Almare prides itself on being a real-deal Italian gelateria; it was opened by Treviso native Alberto Malvestio, who learned how to make the Italian-style ice cream from his great uncle Dino. Four years later, Simone Arpaio, who hails from Turin, joined the business as co-owner.

Almare makes its gelato fresh every morning at 6 a.m., offering traditional Italian flavors like stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate shavings), amaretto and gianduja (chocolate and hazelnuts imported from Piedmont, Italy). The shop also serves sorbet, espresso, and when the weather gets chilly, cioccolata calda (Italian hot chocolate). To celebrate its decade in business, Almare is throwing a party on Friday, Nov. 16, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., featuring free scoops of gelato and 50-cent espressos. Almare Gelato, 2170 Shattuck Ave.