Austin has its eye on Houston for sure. Joining Austin transplants Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Ramen Tatsu-Ya in Rice Village and Montrose, respectively, Dolce Neve, an Italian gelateria, has found a space in The Heights at 4721 N. Main St. right next to David Buehrer’s donut and matcha spot Morningstar. The gelateria opens to the public today, Thursday, March 30.

The gelato shop’s three owners – siblings Marco and Francesca Silverstrini and her fiancé Leopoldo Ferrarese – strive to use natural, wholesome ingredients in every flavor packed inside their shiny silver gelato jars. Francesca even honed her gelato craft at the respected Carpigiani Gelato University in Bologna, Italy.

Marco Silverstrini of Dolce Neve

We were recently invited to a media tasting at Dolce Neve’s new Houston location. Its interior, splashed with accents of bright yellow mustard, has some counter seating and little white tables. All the flavors currently available are the same as those found in Austin, but Marco hopes to create some specialty Houston flavors in the future. His sister Francesca serves as a mastermind behind many of the flavors. Their classic favorites include the pistachio, stracciatella (something like chocolate chip) and crema dolce neve (custard with some zesty lemon). Marco pointed out a couple of more unusual options, such as chamomile and pistachio crumble, coffee and mascarpone infusion and goat cheese with pecans.

Chamomile pistachio crumble and buttermilk strawberry at Dolce Neve

We tried a springtime flavor pairing recommended by Marco: chamomile and pistachio crumble with buttermilk strawberry, all neatly tucked inside a beautiful golden waffle cone edged with white crispiness (photo above). The soothing chamomile (from Comanche Oaks Farm in La Grange) tastes gently subtle, like a tea steeped in cream that is then swirled with crumbly pistachio. Buttermilk strawberry has fresh bits of strawberry.

Here’s a look at the prices – small (two flavors): $4.16; medium (three flavors): $5.56; large (four flavors): $6.93. Waffle cones are $1 extra.

Dolce Neve’s ice cream sandwich

We also tried one of Dolce Neve’s ice cream sandwiches ($5.56), which features robust coffee ice cream that tastes like a double-shot latte layered between brittle rectangles of chocolate cookie. There’s also a salted caramel flavor, and chocolate-covered versions on popsicle sticks are offered as well.

Fight the Houston heat with a tasty cold treat made with Italian and Texas love.

Dolce Neve, 4721 N. Main St. bet. Airline Dr. and Michaux St., dolcenevegelato.com
Hours: Sun. to Thurs. noon–10 pm; Fri. and Sat. noon–midnight