When Mary Dodson and her husband, Brian, first took interest in opening a gelato shop in Northwest Austin, they knew they wanted to learn from the best. The two traveled to North Carolina and Italy for gelato-making courses, and in August they opened Bat City Gelato at 6301 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 503, with an Italian serving counter and kitchen equipment. Mary said she and Brian’s goal of becoming a neighborhood staple is taking shape, especially among nearby Rattan Creek residents. “Brian really wanted to be attached to a neighborhood so people could walk and ride their bike over,” Dodson said. The shop can serve up to 14 flavors at a time with flavors such a vanilla and stracciatella, an Italian take on chocolate chip ice cream, in addition to seasonal ones, such as pumpkin pie. Another Italian favorite the Afogato, a scoop of gelato with two shots of espresso poured over it, has gained popularity among customers too, Dodson said.

Bat City Gelato

6301 W. Parmer Lane, Austin 512-919-4131 www.batcitygelato.com Hours: Sun. 1:30-8 p.m.; Tue.-Thu. noon- 8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon-9 p.m.; closed Mon.