Plaza Saltillo is getting a little sweeter. Austin-born gelato company Dolce Neve is opening a new location in the east side development beginning Tuesday, January 21.
In celebration of its east side debut, Dolce Neve is offering free scoops at the new shop beginning at 7 pm on opening day. Customers who stop by the new store at 1109 E. Fifth St., Ste. 170, will be treated to a scoop of their choice in a cup. Additional scoops will be available for $2 while cones will be available for $1.20.
The shop is dishing out the deal until the shop closes at 10 pm.
Dolce Neve produces gelato in-house, notes a release, using natural ingredients sourced from both local and international purveyors. The shop offers Italian-style gelato in flavors ranging from classic stracciatella to unique offerings like matcha and fromage blanc with apricot, all crafted using the "mantecazione verticale" method.
"The 'mantecazione verticale' technique takes a little longer, but the vertical batch freezer incorporates air in a natural way, which creates a creamier consistency," the company explained.
The brainchild of brother-sister team Marco and Francesca Silvestrini and Francesca’s fiancé, Leopoldo Ferrarese, Dolce Neve opened its first storefront on South First Street in 2014, and it still operates from a bungalow on the burgeoning strip. In 2017, the team opened in Houston's trendy Heights neighborhood — Dolce Neve's first location outside of Austin.
In contrast to the cozy South Austin bungalow, the east side Dolce offers a more modern vibe, complete with a mural from Houston-based artist Matthew Tabor. Once open, the new shop will operate seven days a week, Sunday through Thursday from noon-10 pm, and Friday and Saturday from noon-11 pm.
Houston artist Matthew Tabor created the mural in the new shop.
The signature barrels from the Collaboratory days have also stuck around.Photo courtesy of Brandon Hill
Food from Stargazer's many partners.Photo courtesy of Brandon Hill
