Let Them Eat Cake-Inspired Ice Cream!

Cake and ice cream are a match made in heaven. But you often have to choose one or the other. In DC, you go to Georgetown Cupcake or Crumbs for your cake fix, and then head over to FroZenYo or Pitango for ice cream. In the other Washington, Seattle is not immune to the cupcake craze, and a number of funky bakeries cater exclusively to those who prefer their cake in cup form. One of the most popular cupcake bakeries around is Cupcake Royale, which now boasts six locations in the greater Seattle area. Personally, I've never been that interested in Cupcake Royale... even though they offer gluten-free cupcakes for folks like me. At the end of the day, I'd rather eat ice cream than cake. But this year, Cupcake Royale found their way to my heart by launching a cupcake-inspired ice cream line.

Last week, my West Coast work trip brought me to Seattle. And I took the opportunity to schedule some "girl time" with my boyfriend's mom, Jan. As I've mentioned on the blog before, Jan's sweet tooth rivals mine. So I couldn't say I was surprised when she suggested an ice cream date. But when she suggested trying Cupcake Royale's new downtown location, I paused. I wasn't sure if there'd be a flavor for me; what were the chances that they'd use the gluten-free cupcakes in any of their ice cream flavors? But I agreed to give it a shot, and we set a time to meet. After all, I wouldn't starve. If gluten-full cupcakes were involved in every ice cream flavor, I could always eat a gluten-free cupcake.

 Cupcake Royale's newest shop is located right downtown at 108 Pine Street - just a block away from Pike Place Market. I know the area quite well, as I used to walk down Pine Street every day on my way to work. And let's just say that my figure is glad that Cupcake Royale wasn't downtown when I lived in Seattle... Because this location offers all 14 cupcake-inspired ice cream flavors crafted by Cupcake Royale. When Jan and I stepped inside, we were both surprised by how ice cream-focused the store was. Since Cupcake Royale is best know for its cupcakes, I assumed ice cream would be a side note and the freezer marginalized to a corner. Boy, was I wrong! Cupcake Royale appears to be giving its ice cream just as much focus and care as they give their cupcakes. Not only do they serve cups and cones of ice cream, but there's also sundaes, milkshakes, icebox cakes, and macaroon ice cream sandwiches to be had. Oh - and who could forget the red velvet waffle cones?

Jan and I arrived at Cupcake Royale during a rare slow time, so the friendly employees were happy to discuss the different ice cream flavors with us. Some flavors are indeed made with chunks of actual cupcakes, chopped up and mixed into Cupcake Royale's homemade ice cream. These "Cupcakes n' Cream" flavors include Peppermint Party (chunks of Peppermint Party cupcakes mixed into organic mint ice cream) and Red Velvet (cupcakes of the same name blended into a cream cheese and buttermilk base). But other flavors are loosely inspired by popular cupcake creations but don't include cake chunks. Great news for the gluten-free crowd! These "Bakeshop Inspired" flavors include Burnt Caramel with Sea Salt (self-explanatory) and Bananaza (roasted banana and rum base blended with homemade caramel sauce and brownie chunks). A couple other "Bakeshop Inspired" flavors jumped out to me. What the heck is Whiskey Maple Bacon Crack? The man behind the counter told me it was maple ice cream infused with Woodinville Whiskey and loaded with bits of housemade bacon brittle, or - as Cupcake Royale customers nicknamed it - "crack." This all sounded amazing to Jan and me. But when we tried a sample, we both thought it was a bit too salty and strong on the whiskey (neither of us are big whiskey fans). Next up was the Washington Hazelnut Brittle with Salted Ganache. Is there anything better than a sweet and salty ice cream with a hefty crunch? I think not. Jan tried a sample and swooned before ordering herself a scoop. Given our similar tastes, I jumped the gun and ordered a small cup as well.

The verdict? I daresay this ice cream was richer than any cupcake I've had. For this popular flavor, Cupcake Royale takes its vanilla ice cream and blends in salted ganache and chunks of brittle made with Washington hazelnuts. Everything is made in-house with local ingredients - and it shows. The vanilla ice cream is everything it should be: sweet, creamy and rich. Definitely not "light." And the mix-ins? They were simply out of this world. The salted ganache was soft and tasted almost of caramel. The salt wasn't overpowering but added complexity and depth. And the hazelnut brittle was comfort food for the sweet addict. My only complaint is that this ice cream was so rich! It left me with a bit of a tummyache; the type you got as a kid after too much birthday cake, ice cream, and candy. But, isn't that the point? And if you ask me, Cupcake Royale has a very bright future in the ice-cream making business.

The Stats:
Cupcake Royale
108 Pine Street
Seattle, WA 98101
5 other locations in the Seattle area (I visited the 108 Pine Street location downtown)
(206) 883-7656
http://www.cupcakeroyale.com/

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Is it local? At Cool Moon Ice Cream, it is!

"Is it local?"

The city of Portland, Oregon is known for its focus on keeping things "local." When it comes to food, Portland knows that "local" produce, dairy, meat and even beer are more likely to be organic, fresh, and tasty. Even the wildly-popular television show "Portlandia" pokes fun at this Portland stereotype (if you haven't seen this clip, I highly recommend it). But there is definitely something behind this stereotype; and Portlanders aren't afraid to admit it.

Last week, my job took me to Portland for a few days. Anyone who has lived in the Pacific Northwest knows that December is one of the worst months to visit Portland. Rain, rain, and more rain. But I'll take a paid trip to Portland any day. Work meetings over organic, grass-fed dinners at The Farm Cafe? I guess I can manage. Networking happy hour at Deschutes Brewery? If I have to. Prepping for a presentation at Powell's Books? Twist my arm.

But the best perk of my Portland trip was the chance to see my college roommate Jamie's dad's brand-new bike shop: West End Bikes. Jamie's dad (like mine) is an engineer by trade, but his passion is biking. A couple years ago, he teamed up with a buddy to open their own bike shop right downtown. After all, Portland is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. This was my first time visiting West End Bikes, and I was beyond impressed with the store and its inventory. The shop's beautiful layout and impeccable decor is a testament to the owner's engineering background. And the inventory is top-notch. While I don't ride myself, my parents do - so I can appreciate the high-end bikes, helmets, shoes, and clothing that West End Bikes carries. If you are even remotely interested in biking, West End Bikes is a must-see in Portland. Plus, there's no sales tax in Oregon!

Given Portland's focus on all things "local," I couldn't resist trying some ice cream during my visit. After a quick Yelp search, I headed over to Cool Moon Ice Cream. This Portland favorite is located in the heart of the Pearl District - a funky neighborhood full of hippy coffee shops, local brew pubs, and one-of-a-kind clothing shops. I was drawn to Cool Moon Ice Cream after reading that they make all of their ice creams and sorbets right on the premises. You can't get more "local" than that!

A well-lit and colorful storefront invites you into Cool Moon Ice Cream, brightening the dreariness of a rainy December day. Inside, the shop has an funky ice cream parlor vibe. During my visit, the store was fully decked-out in holiday cheer. Cool Moon has over 40 different flavors of ice cream and sorbet on its website, but there are about 15 flavors on its menu at any given time. While most of the flavors sound fairly common, I did see a few unique creations in the freezer. Four flavors stood out to me, but I couldn't decide which I wanted to order. Luckily, the young man behind the counter was incredibly patient and happily gave me samples. The first flavor I tried was Salted Caramel. Personally, I don't classify Salted Caramel as an exotic flavor anymore, as it's cropping up on menus across the country. Heck, even Haagen-Dazs sells a salted caramel flavor! And, sadly, they do a better job than Cool Moon with it. I could certainly taste salt - but my hunch is that Cool Moon used table salt, as the saltiness lacked the pleasant mineral-y taste of kosher or sea salt. Also, the caramel lacked the buttery richness of the best Salted Caramel ice creams. But my impression of Cool Moon Ice Cream improved with the next sample:

Sicilian Spumoni. Cool Moon pays homage to the traditional Italian dessert with a pistachio ice cream base, which they blend orange and lemon peel, orange liquor, and cherries into. The specks of citrus and cherries were incredibly fine, so these components were overpowered by the pistachio flavor. Luckily, Cool Moon makes a mean pistachio ice cream - creamy and full of natural flavors. I was excited to see another pistachio-based flavor in the case: Kulfi. The young man behind the counter told me that kulfi is a popular dessert in India. Wikipedia says kulfi is similar to ice cream, but it's denser because it's not whipped. Kulfi comes in a variety of different flavors - including rose, cream, raspberry, mango, saffron, pistachio and cardamom. Cool Moon chose to blend three of their favorite kulfi flavors (pistachio, rose, and cardamom) into one yummy fusion. I can't lie and say I really tasted the rosewater, but I'm sure it helped to temper the strong cardamom and added to the sweet creaminess of the ice cream.

After three samples, I knew it was time to commit to a real scoop. Little did I know, but I happened to have saved the best flavor for last. I learned that Cardinal Zin is made by infusing bittersweet chocolate ice cream with Zinfandel wine and sweet bing cherries (both from Oregon). Wine and chocolate? Sign me up! I happily forked over $3.90 for a "regular" cup... or should I say glass? When you order "for here," Cool Moon serves your ice cream in a proper glass bowl and hands you a real silver spoon. How earth-friendly! Oh - and leave your AmEx at home. Cool Moon gives a 5% discount when you pay with cash. You gotta love Portland...

Christmas makes everything taste better.

The verdict? Cardinal Zin is definitely the best flavor I tried while at Cool Moon Ice Cream. The bittersweet chocolate base wasn't anything to write home about; your average store-bought chocolate ice cream is just as good. But the bites of sweet cherry and the light Zinfandel aftertaste are what won me over. Unfortunately, the texture of Cardinal Zin isn't as light and creamy as the Salted Caramel, Spumoni or Kulfi. Perhaps the Zinfandel is to blame for its ice-y texture? Overall, this ice cream was very enjoyable and the "normal" size satisfied my sweet tooth without ruining my appetite for dinner. While I would happily order Cardinal Zin again, it doesn't make my "Top 10" list. Still, Cool Moon's reasonable prices, friendly service and downtown location makes it a great family-friendly destination for tourists and locals alike.

The Stats:
Cool Moon Ice Cream
1105 NW Johnson Street
Portland, OR 97209
(503) 224-2021
www.coolmoonicecream.com

Just what the Doctor ordered...

I hope y'all had a relaxing and delicious Thanksgiving! I spent the holiday with my family in Massachusetts. Per tradition, Thanksgiving dinner was held at my cousins' home near Springfield. Now, I'm big on traditions. My family takes caution when proposing new activitities or recipes around the holidays - for fear that I'll enjoy it so much that it becomes yet another "tradition." The family actually calls the special holiday mashed potatoes (i.e. full of cream cheese and butter) "Grace's potatoes." And this isn't because I make them (my mom's cousin does). But when someone brought the dish years ago, my twelve-year-old self loved them and decreed a new "tradition." Many years later, I still relish the familiarity and comfort of our family's holiday activities and dishes. But the most important tradition of all is having everyone at the dinner table. And this year, someone was missing...

My cousin Leah is completing her residency at the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She had to work on Thanksgiving morning this year, and it was the first time one of us "kids" didn't make it home for the holiday. But modern technology made Leah's absence a little easier to bear... Once our dinner plates were cleared, I pulled out my iPad so the family could "FaceTime" with Leah. It wasn't as good as having her there in-person, but it was especially nice for those who hadn't seen Leah since she left for Baltimore. I'm the lucky one who lives just an hour away from Leah. And just a couple Saturdays ago, the boyfriend and I drove down to Baltimore for the afternoon. Leah's boyfriend, Matt, was also in town - so the four of us explored the city and enjoyed a lovely brunch at Little Havana (which has the best Bloody Marys ever!).

At some point after brunch, the topic of local desserts came up. Leah and Matt raved (no, gushed) about the Baltimore Bomb at Dangerously Delicious Pies. As soon as my boyfriend heard that the pie is made from Berger Cookies (a local specialty), he was determined to try a slice. We followed the GPS to the popular Baltimore neighborhood of Canton, where Dangerously Delicious Pies is nestled in a cute strip of restaurants and shops. Sadly, the store clerk informed us that all of the Baltimore Bombs had been "already sold for the day." This surprised me, as it was only two o'clock in the afternoon! We all felt deflated, so Leah suggested we find dessert elsewhere. She remembered that Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop was just down the road. Italian bakeries mean one thing to me: Gelato!

Walking into Vaccaro's Canton shop reminded me of ducking into one of the more modern cafes in Rome. The warm light and golden accents make for an inviting atmosphere. I'd love to come here on a cold, snowy morning to warm up with a latte or mocha. But on this fall day, I made a beeline for the gelato case. Vaccaro's boasts almost 20 flavors of gelato and sorbet - including many of the Italian favorites like Baci (i.e. Nutella), Tiramasu, Amaretto, and Pistacchio. But it was a different flavor, Almond Joy, that caught my eye. I'm a sucker for ice cream with different textures, and you can't beat the coconut and chocolate combination. Leah also ended up ordering a cup of Almond Joy (we really are related!), while our gentlemen friends took a different route and enjoyed Vaccaro's famous cannolis.

The verdict? This gelato definitely lives up to its name; it's like biting into a cold and creamy Almond Joy candy bar. I've tried many coconutty desserts in my time - but none have been as chock-full of coconut flakes as Vaccaro's gelato is. I wouldn't be surprised if the gelato-to-coconut ratio is near one-to-one. The chocolate flakes were perfectly thin and flavorful - similar to the ones found in Stracciatella gelato. My only real complaint was that they almond chunks were big and few and far between; I would use almond slivers and be more generous. But compared to your average gelateria, the prices are lower and portions are bigger at Vaccaro's. Leah was too full from brunch to finish her's, but you better believe that I found room and polished this baby off :) Yum!

The Stats:
Vaccaro's Italian Pastry Shop
2919 O'Donnell Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
(410) 276-4744
http://www.vaccarospastry.com
(other locations in Little Italy, Hunt Valley and Belair)

Take I: Sweet Action in Denver

I'm back! Apologies for the lack of posting around here lately. My employer sent me to Massachusetts for three weeks to help a Congressional campaign. After working 12+ hours/seven days a week,  I'm happy to say that my candidate (narrowly) won. But immediately after the election, I was sent to San Francisco to give two different presentations. So I'm still playing catch-up with my "normal" life.

Now, where were we?

Oh yes, Colorado.

We all had a fantastic time at the Great American Beer Festival. What can be better than sampling over 1,800 different beers from over 400 of the best breweries in the nation? If you're gluten-sensitive like me, have no fear - the festival has been featuring more and more gluten-free varieties in recent years. I'm not nearly the beer enthusiast that my boyfriend and Elysia are, but I always have a blast at the Great American Beer Festival. Despite four hours of unlimited beer samples, the crowd is a jovial one. No drunken brawls to be seen here, and no one spills their beer on me. (Both are too-common occurrences in DC).

When we awoke the next morning, food was on everyone's mind. It seems that eggs and bacon are the choice "hangover recovery" foods for most, but I'm usually in the mood for something cold and sweet. After a brunch of omelets and oatmeal, I casually asked Elysia if she'd ever been to the famous Denver ice cream spot called Sweet Action. She hadn't even heard of it before! I informed her that US News & World Report ranked it #7 in their list of America's Best Ice Cream this year. And, the wonderful friend she is, Elysia took my not-so-subtle hint and agreed to drive by.

Sweet Action Ice Cream is located in Denver's South Broadway district - an area not often frequented by tourists. I'm told that South Broadway, or "SoBo" as the locals call it, was once a shady strip of adult theatres and grimy bars. But after a couple decades of revitalization, SoBo now gave me the vibe of a small California beach town. Walking down busy Broadway street, you'll find indie art shops, trendy boutiques, antique shops, and funky little cafes. And Sweet Action is nestled right in the heart of the... well... action! We actually heard it before we saw it, as Sweet Action's garage-style storefront was open to welcome the warm early-fall day. Inside, the garage-like decor continues. Concrete walls and floor. Very few tables and chairs. The menu board is the only decoration. We had to wait five minutes in line before placing our orders. Something I found strange for an early Sunday afternoon in October. I can only imagine how packed Sweet Action is on Friday evenings in July!

What sets Sweet Action apart from the competition is their ever-changing eclectic flavors and focus on local ingredients. Sweet Action also offers vegan ice creams, sorbets, and ice cream cookie sandwiches. According to my online research, some of the cult-favorite flavors include Thai Iced Tea, Stranahan's Whiskey Brickle, Blackberry Lavender and Salted Butterscotch. But planners beware: Don't set your heart on any flavor here, as Sweet Action rotates their flavor offerings with lightning speed. It's best to arrive with an open mind (and empty stomach).

Before I could even peruse the menu offerings, a posted sign grabbed my attention:

The Colorodo Beer Ice Cream Fest? Turns out, Sweet Action highlights its best beer-infused ice cream flavors during October in honor of the Great American Beer Festival. This year's lineup included ESB Oreo (Breckenridge Brewery Extra Special Bitter Ale), Colorado Peach Wheat (Wynkoop) and Tiramisu Stout (Strange Brewing Stout). But sadly, unlike the GABF, the Colorado Beer Ice Cream Fest didn't offer gluten-free options. And don't worry - I didn't pity myself for one minute. There was no shortage of non-beer flavors to consider.

While I was mulling over the menu, Elysia pointed out that many folks were asking for samples before placing their orders. As it turns out, you don't feel bad about asking for samples at Sweet Action; the staff actually encourages it! And while I had a flavor in mind, I took advantage of the sample-loving culture and tasted a flavor I'd never seen before: Goat Cheese Beet Swirl. Wowza. That tiny spoonful sure packed a punch. The ice cream was creamy and intensely flavorful; no one could mistake it for anything but goat cheese. The dark red swirl of beets was sweet and helped ease the potent goat cheese aftertaste. I have to admit, I simply don't like goat cheese enough to eat more than a teaspoon of this ice cream. Still - I'm happy to have tried it. If you really dig goat cheese, this one's definitely for you!

In the end, I went with Caramelized Pear. Feeling a bit dehydrated from the GABF, the thought of cold, juicy pears was incredibly appealing. I was so certain of my choice that I didn't even request a sample before forking over $2.75 for a single scoop.

The verdict? This generous scoop of Sweet Action's Caramelized Pear hit the spot in a way that few ice creams do. It was densely creamy and served at the perfectly-freezing temperature. Cold enough to melt slowly in your mouth, giving you ample time to let the complex flavors hit your palate. The pear taste is more subtle than other pear sorbets or gelatos I've had. But it holds it own against its warm, buttery caramel counterpart. The rich and sweet combination of flavors is comforting and refreshing. The texture is lightly gritty - but in a pleasant way that reminds you of Sweet Action's commitment to fresh, local ingredients. This flavor would be perfect for Thanksgiving dessert - if only it was available every day. When I checked out the website a few weeks later, Caramelized Pear was already off the menu. You gotta move quick, or Sweet Action will pass you by.

The Stats:
Sweet Action
52 Broadway Ave
Denver, Colorado
(303) 282-4645
http://sweetactionicecream.com/

Georgetown Valley Candy Co.

The last few weeks have been hectic for me at work. While I don't work in politics, it seems like everyone in Washington, DC logs more hours during election seasons. Work has been the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last thing I think about before I fall asleep. Needless to say, I've been in need of some serious R&R - and I was thankful to get a taste of it last weekend in Colorado.

One of my best friends, Elysia, is a Colorado native. We met and became friends while living in Seattle. While we both moved away a couple years ago (me to grad school in DC; she back to Denver), we remain very close. I periodically crash with Elysia and her Great Dane, Rupert, when work sends me to Denver. And this past weekend, the boyfriend and I spent a weekend in Colorado to attend the Great American Beer Festival. It was the fourth GABF for me, and it was the seventh one for the boyfriend. To be honest, it's not just the GABF that keeps me coming back every year - it's the chance to hang out at Elysia's parents house right outside the town of Idaho Springs, Colorado. Elysia's parents are the type of people that instantly make you feel relaxed and invited. I feel as comfortable in their house as I do in my own; rummaging through the fridge, wearing my sweats, and helping myself to whatever I find. Their house is actually a two-level cabin, complete with a wood-burning stove and brick oven. The cabin sits next to a mountain stream, and you can actually fish off the back porch! It's a little piece of heaven.

When I can tear myself away from the wood-burning stove and porch fishing, I love exploring downtown Idaho Springs. This little town of less than 2,000 people is nestled in the mountains about an hour outside of Denver. In 1859, the first gold in Colorado was discovered here. And it's impossible to ignore the state's mining history in Idaho Springs today, with the Argo Gold Mine & Mill perched on a hill overlooking the town and the number of old railroad tracks you drive over. The town is also a halfway point between Denver and Breckenridge (a super-popular skiing destination), so it boasts more restaurants and shops than most towns of its size. On Saturday morning, Elysia, the boyfriend, and I drove downtown to grab some ice cream before we needed to leave for the Great American Beer Festival.

The Georgetown Valley Candy Company is located right in the heart of downtown Idaho Springs. This is actually the second location; the company is based in nearby Georgetown, where its owners have been producing high-quality candies and chocolates in small batches for over twenty years. What makes the Georgetown Valley Candy Company unique is the focus on old-fashioned classics like caramel corn, salt water taffy, classic fudge, and different types of nut brittles. The Idaho Springs store is a bit smaller than the Georgetown flagship, but the selection is just as extensive.

We were already big fans of Georgetown Valley's candy from prior visits to the Idaho Springs shop, but I had yet to try their homemade ice cream. According to the extremely friendly store clerk (seriously, this guy was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable), the two dozen ice cream flavors are all made in Georgetown and trucked to Idaho Springs on a regular basis. And - like their candies - Georgetown Valley Candy Co.'s ice cream flavors pay tribute to some old-fashioned favorites, such as Butter Pecan, Black Cherry, and Rocky Road. But other flavors were quite contemporary, like Cotton Candy, Green Tea, and PB&J. Elysia picked one of the more new-age flavors: Cookie Dough. I was feeling indecisive, but I finally ordered a kid-sized scoop of Butter Brickle after it came highly recommended by the store clerk. With the enthusiasm this kid had, he could sell ice to an Eskimo. When he told me the ice cream featured Georgetown Valley's own butter brickle candy, I was sold. Butter brickle is very similar to English toffee (the center of a Heath bar), and it reminds me of my mother's dad. My grandfather (aka "Pops") was a gruff man, but he demonstrated his love for me and my sisters by sneaking us pieces of gold-wrapped toffee whenever my parents weren't looking. Now I realize that they wouldn't have cared about the candy, but the sneaky way in which Pops shared his toffee made it feel like we were sharing a special little secret. What can I say? The nostalgic feel of Georgetown Valley Candy Company's Idaho Springs store was making me sentimental.

Before leaving the store, I also purchased my mom a bag of Georgetown Valley's black licorice hard candies. My mom adores black licorice, but I don't think she's had it in hard candy-form. The store clerk rang my purchase up, asking for $4.25. Thinking it was a mistake, I reminded him that I'd also ordered an ice cream. Surely the candies and ice cream would not cost less than five dollars. But, indeed, they did! Nostalgic treats at nostalgic prices. Talk about a win-win.

The verdict? Talk about comfort food. Instead of throwing in chunks of hard brickle, Georgetown Valley blends thick, gooey swirls of liquid butter brickle into the ice cream. But have no fear, there are little bites of the hardened toffee. The buttery warmth of the brickle was a nice contrast to the coldness of the dessert. But I have to say, I'm glad I chose the smallest size. This ice cream is a tad too sweet - even for someone like me, with a mouth full of sweet teeth! If I could chat with the owners, I'd suggest they use a less-sweet ice cream base to highlight the sweet butter brickle. After all, the candy is the star of this ice cream. Elysia was also happy with her choice. While Georgetown Valley's version of Cookie Dough wasn't the best she'd ever had, Elysia was happy with the generous size of the cookie dough bites. And both Elysia and I agreed that you just can't beat the value or customer service at the Georgetown Valley Candy Company. This might be a new Colorado tradition for me.

The Stats:
Georgetown Valley Candy Company
1501 Minor Street
Idaho Springs, CO
(720) 242-9524
http://www.shopgvcc.com/

Pumpkin Spice Gelato

Eating pumpkin makes me feel grown up.

As a kid, I didn’t care for pumpkin at all. On Thanksgiving, I’d skip over the pumpkin pie and pile my plate with cake and cookies instead. Something about vegetable-esque desserts just didn’t jive with me, and pumpkin pie never held any appeal. That is - until I caught my mom eating leftover pumpkin pie… for breakfast. I had to be seven or eight years old when I discovered her little secret. On the morning after Thanksgiving, I trudged into the kitchen to pour myself a bowl of Cheerios. My parents upheld a strict "no junk food"  breakfast policy. And there my mom was - in her pajamas - eating a slice of pie. "That's not fair!" I sputtered, "Why can you eat dessert for breakfast but we can't?" Always the quick thinker, my mom calmly countered that I was welcome to join her. She explained that pumpkin is healthy and full of fiber, and that pumpkin pie was an appropriate breakfast "once in a while." You better believe that I sat right down and served myself a slice of pie - the very one I had turned my nose up at the day before. And low and behold, I liked it. Sure, it didn't compare to chocolate cake or sugar cookies,  but it was a heck-of-a-lot better than my normal cereal. I felt quite grown-up that morning, enjoying a special breakfast with my mom.

Over the years, I’ve become a full-fledged pumpkin fan. When October rolls around, I suddenly become obsessed with anything pumpkin: pumpkin beer, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin risotto, and - of course - pumpkin ice cream.

Last week, when my sister Carolyn was here, we hosted a small dinner party for the premiere of Homeland (our favorite TV show). Carolyn was making her famous chili, so I was put in charge of dessert. And - surprise! - pumpkin was on my mind. I had yet to experiment with it in my Cuisinart, so I scoured the internet for pumpkin ice cream recipes. There is certainly not a shortage of recipes out there, but most called for 4-6 egg yokes. I'm a novice when it comes to making ice cream, and I don't feel ready to tackle so many raw egg yokes. Luckily, I stumbled across an egg-less recipe to use as inspiration for my own concoction: Pumpkin Spice Gelato.

Pumpkin Spice Gelato 
{Inspired from recipe in New York Times}

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk (at least 1% milkfat)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup canned pumpkin (100%; not the pie filling kind)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions

• Combine the milk, heavy cream, 1/4 cup of the brown sugar, cinnamon and pumpkin spice in a medium saucepan and cook over low heat, whisking from time to time, until it almost reaches a simmer. Reduce to very low heat.
• Place the maple syrup, salt, and remaining brown sugar in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Add about 1/2 cup of the warm milk/cream mixture, whisking as you pour.
• Return the maple mixture to the saucepan and increase the heat slightly (just below medium). Continue cooking until the mixture just begins to thicken. Do not allow it to boil.
• Remove saucepan from heat and whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla extract. Transfer mixture to large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
• Pour chilled mixture into a blender and pulse to liquefy any solids. Freeze mixture in your ice cream maker, per the manufacturer's directions. If you're using a Cuisinart, this means 1) turn on your machine, 2) slowly pour mixture in, and 3) leave the thing be for 15 minutes or so. The consistency should be like firm but not icy.
• Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and freeze until firm (about 2 hours in my case). Looks best when topped with a candy corn pumpkin :)

The verdict? Not too bad for my first try! This gelato was a little less sweet than most pumpkin ice creams, but I think that's why this tasted more like real pumpkin pie. The consistency was a bit grainy, which I didn't mind. If grittiness isn't your thing, I suggest using a strainer - rather than a blender - to get rid of solids before adding the mixture to the ice cream maker. My guests reported that the spice level was good, but I thought the cinnamon overpowered the nutmeg. Next time I'll just use more pumpkin spice and reduce the extra cinnamon amount. All in all, this recipe was a keeper. I can't help but wonder... Will mom approve this for breakfast on November 23rd?

Impromptu Visit to Serendipity 3

ser·en·dip·i·ty

noun

: the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for

I'm a planner. Ask anyone who knows me. I'm not quite the "fly by the seat of my pants" type, but I'm surrounded by people who are. And thank goodness for that! Planning and strategy are good things - but so is spontaneity.

My middle sister, Carolyn, visited us here in DC last weekend. Now, Carolyn is one of the most adventurous people I know. At the ripe old age of twenty-three, she's already started her own business and works at a new tech startup in Boston. And ever since we were little, Carolyn has been trying new things - and pushing me to do the same. Some of her ideas were better than others. Trying on Mom's ruby red lipstick? You go ahead, Carolyn. I'll watch.

But popping into a new restaurant for an impromptu sundae? That's something I'll agree to!

By the time Carolyn's plane touched down at Reagan National Airport, I had an entire weekend's worth of fun activities planned. Dinner reservations? Done. A new (to us) tour to take? Found it. Heck, I even had a Homeland premiere party in the works. But, as always, the best parts of Carolyn's visit were totally unplanned. Only Carolyn can morph my "quick trip" to Target for toiletries into a quest for Halloween decorations, which leads to an afternoon of decorating and eating candy corn. And it was her idea to hit up a comedy club late on Saturday night. Turns out, the DC Improv Comedy Club is right around the corner from my apartment - and I'd never even heard of it! But, my favorite impromptu activity involved ice cream... and lots of it!

On Friday night, Carolyn, the boyfriend, and I headed into Georgetown for dinner. We enjoyed fantastic burgers and fries at Thunder Burger & Bar and were tempted by the dessert menu. But Carolyn suggested trying a different dessert place - and that's when I remembered that the famous NYC dessert institution, Serendipity 3, had just opened their first DC location right down the block! You may know Serendipity 3 as the place where the 'Sex & the City' gals gossiped over frozen hot chocolates. But I know it as the creator of The Grand Opulence - the world's most expensive sundae! Needless to say, Carolyn and I practically skipped over to the restaurant.

From the outside, Serendipity 3 doesn't look like much. It's housed in a simple white-painted brick building with black awning over the windows. But step through the front door, and you are transported into a girly-girl's fantasy. The decor is whimsical, with pink walls, slightly-gaudy chandeliers, heart-backed chairs, and Tiffany-style lamps. To pay homage to their host city, the Georgetown location features one of our Founding Fathers.

I knew Lincoln was my favorite for a reason!

I was worried that Serendipity 3 would be packed at 10pm on a Saturday night - but we easily secured seats at the bar, where the bartender welcomed us with glasses of ice water. After ordering a glass of wine, we began perusing Serendipity's over-sized menu. Since we were still full from the burgers, the three of us decided to split one sundae. Sure enough, The Grand Opulence was there, priced at $1,000. But until my student loans are paid off, Serendipity's Drug Store Sundaes will have to do. All of the sundae descriptions sounded delicious... from the carrot cake sundae to the deep-fried Oreo one. Carolyn suggested the Black N' White Sundae. The description read: "chocolate and vanilla ice cream, marshmallow cream, white chocolate fudge, chocolate fudge, whipped cream & tuxedo strawberry." How could we go wrong with that?

A mere five minutes after we placed our order, the bartender delivered this...

The verdict? The Black N' White Sundae is the very definition of extravagant - both in ingredients and size. The massive scoops of premium vanilla and chocolate ice cream were smooth and creamy. I usually prefer a vanilla base for my sundae, but Serendipity 3's chocolate ice cream is flavorful, yet not so rich that it overpowers the toppings. The marshmallow cream was easily my favorite component of this dish; it was thick, sticky and reminiscent of my favorite childhood condiment: Fluff.  Serendipity's hot chocolate fudge sauce is nothing to complain about, either. Now on the other hand, I was disappointed by the white chocolate fudge - which was thin and watery. All of these sauces were served warm - not hot - which I appreciated. As I've mentioned before, a major pet peeve of mine is when pipping-hot toppings melt my ice cream into a soupy mess (#firstworldproblem). Serendipity's whipped cream is deliciously sweet and airy, nicely contrasting the thick ice cream and heavy toppings. Nestled on top of the sundae was the featured 'tuxedo strawberry,' which my companions graciously allowed me to claim. Serendipity drenched a big, fresh strawberry in a thick coating of milk and white chocolate. Swoon. Split three ways, this sundae was still too big to finish! A surprising end to an unexpected night out. Thanks, sis.

We made a gallant effort.

The Stats:
Serendipity 3
3150 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-5193
http://www.serendipity3dc.com/

Not that kind of bar... The UConn Dairy Bar

Ah, the fall season has officially arrived. School is back in session, leaves are changing colors, the air is crisp, and pumpkin ice cream has finally returned!

Each autumn, my sisters and I coordinate our busy schedules to make room for one weekend dedicated to family fun. Somehow, my boyfriend has been deemed “family”-enough to take part in the last few weekends. This year’s travel plans coincided with “Family Weekend” at the University of Connecticut, where my youngest sister (Ava) is a sophomore. Located in the rural town of Storrs, Connecticut, UConn’s campus is scenic and rustic – the perfect setting for our fall weekend.

As Ava will tell you, UConn was founded in 1881 as the Storrs Agricultural School. And though it’s one of America’s best state universities, UConn still proudly holds onto its agricultural roots. Today, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources continues to teach agricultural students the business of farming, food science, nutrition, animal production, and veterinary sciences. To provide hands-on learning experiences, UConn is home to hundreds of farm animals - from cows to chickens - which add to the rustic charm of the campus.

We participated in several organized “Family Weekend” activities, but I was most excited about a trip to UConn’s favorite bar. And this was not the type of bar I usually associated with college campuses. In Storrs, the most famous "bar" is the UConn Dairy Bar. Since the 1950s, the Dairy Bar has been serving up homemade ice cream using milk from the campus cows. My ice cream-lovin' family scheduled our trip to the Dairy Bar before we even set foot on campus. So after lunch, we climbed into my mom’s minivan and drove over to the infamous bar. Now, Ava had warned us that the line could be long, but no one was prepared for this sight:

On any other day, we probably would have turned around. But on this crisp fall afternoon, a long wait outside didn’t seem so daunting. So we gamely joined the other families and students in line. Watching folks emerge with generous ice cream cones and massive sundaes only strengthened our resolve. And low and behold, the time passed quickly. One of the benefits of having a chatty family is that we can entertain ourselves for hours. Or, according to my mom’s watch, for the 45 minutes it took us just to get inside.

Finally inside! Line is getting shorter...

Once you’re inside the Dairy Bar, there is plenty to keep you occupied while you wait. The décor is still reminiscent of the 1950s, with ice cream parlor bar stools and a red, white and black color scheme. But I was most excited to see the glassed-in observation area, where you can view the ice cream making process. UConn's Department of Animal Science oversees all operations here, and students learn all aspects of food production and retail sales while staffing the Dairy Bar.

 I was interested to learn that the funds generated at the Dairy Bar are invested back into the Department of Animal Science and its programs. So when you purchase ice cream here, you're actually supporting education at UConn. Unfortunately for me, I don't think it's tax deductible...

Perusing the menu, the Banana Chocolate Chip was calling my name. But then I saw Cinnamon Caramel Swirl – which sounded deliciously intriguing. To complicate matters, I overheard numerous customers raving about the Dairy Bar’s famous seasonal Pumpkin. I just couldn’t decide between the three, so I coordinated with my mother and Ava to ensure I could taste them all. A baby-scoop of Pumpkin for my mom, a single-scoop of Banana Chocolate Chip for me, and a double-scoop of Pumpkin and Cinnamon Caramel Swirl for Ava. 

It was a team effort.

The verdict? After 50 minutes of anticipation, the first bite of ice cream was incredibly satisfying. The Dairy Bar’s ice creams are thick and smooth, a testament to the high-quality, fresh dairy products they use. The Banana ice cream was not the most natural-tasting, but I actually enjoyed the slight artificiality of it. (Think banana-flavored Nesquik milk – not banana Runts.) The ‘chocolate chips’ were really chocolate chunks, adding a nice chocolaty crunch to the smooth ice cream. The Pumpkin ice cream was sweet and refreshing, but my mom and I thought it could use more cinnamon and nutmeg. Now, the Cinnamon Caramel Swirl? That was perfection. The warmth of the deep cinnamon flavor was offset by both the freezing temperature of the ice cream and the sticky and sweet caramel swirls. Being the generous sister she is, Ava let me have more than my fair share of her Cinnamon Caramel scoop. In terms of serving sizes, the single-scoop serving was actually quite filling – I wasn’t even hungry at dinnertime a couple hours later (not normal for me). I'll definitely return to the Dairy Bar during my next trip to UConn. After all, it's all in the name of education...

Our Huskies... Ava & Aamir

The Stats:
UConn Dairy Bar
3636 Horsebarn Hill Road Extension
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-1021
http://www.dairybar.uconn.edu

New Memories (and Cones) in Historic Gettysburg

This past weekend, I was in the mood to get outside of the city. And luckily for me, so was my good college girlfriend Becca. I proposed different activities (wine tasting in Virginia, perusing the Baltimore Harbor), but Becca had a better idea: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  “Huh?” I thought, “Isn’t that super far away?” A quick glance at Google Maps confirmed that – yes, geography is still not my strong suit - and Gettysburg is a mere 1 hour 45 minute drive from Washington, DC. I guess you do learn something new every day.

Bright and early on Saturday, we dragged our boyfriends out of bed and piled into the car. It was a perfect late-summer day, and the drive to Gettysburg was picturesque. Just 30 minutes outside of DC, I was reminded just how beautiful the Mid-Atlantic landscape can be - full of beautiful, rolling hills and lush, green foliage. The clean, crisp air is refreshing after a week in the office.


Welcome to PA!

Just before noon, we found ourselves in the historic town of Gettysburg. The boys were hungry (shocker!), so we strolled down one of the major streets, Steinwehr Avenue, in search of some lunch brunch. Before settling on Lincoln’s Diner (greasy-but-tasty food at low prices), we passed by several cute, touristy ice cream spots. While ice cream sounded like a fine meal to me, the rest of the group wanted omelets and pancakes. In the spirit of American history, we compromised: lunch now, ice cream later in the afternoon.

With full bellies, we drove over to Gettysburg National Military Park. Per the website instructions, we began our visit at the Park Museum and Visitor Center. For over two hours, we soaked up information about Gettysburg and the Civil War (I re-remembered a lot from high school U.S. History class). Personally, I could have spent another two hours in the gift shop – it’s massive and filled with interesting trinkets. My companions were not so enthused (out-voted again), so we grabbed a free battlefield map and headed to the car. There are several ways to experience the battlefields. You could take a guided bus tour, hire a professional guide to ride in your car (weird?), or take a self-guided tour. The driving map (found here) hits 16 official tour spots and numerous other sites. My favorite stops included Oak Ridge, the High Water Mark, Little Round Top, and Devil’s Den. It was hard to believe that over fifty thousand men died here in just three days – making it the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Remembering these men made me so grateful that the Union Army was able to change the tide of the Civil War here – successfully ending General Lee’s invasion of the North. Had the outcome been different at Gettysburg, who knows where we’d all be today?

Soaking up so much U.S. history certainly worked up my appetite. Before heading back to DC, we returned to one of the cute ice cream shops in downtown Gettysburg: Sunset Ice Cream Parlor. Honestly, I chose this spot over the others simply because it was so colorful and inviting-looking...

Inside, Sunset was bustling with a late-afternoon crowd. Despite the unique decor, Sunset's numerous flavor options were extremely traditional. Rum Raisin and Cherry Vanilla were about as "weird" as they got. What is original about Sunset Ice Cream Parlor is their focus on the classic soda-fountain drink known as the "malted" - a mixture of ice cream, milk, and malted-milk powder. One of my best friend's grandma was crazy about malteds, and I have early childhood memories of her ordering them at Friendly's restaurants in MA. I've never been a fan of malteds, but I was in luck - I heard the man ahead of me order something interesting: a pretzel cone. Sure enough, his ice cream was served up in a cone-shaped hard pretzel. These are the times that I curse my gluten intolerance. But being the nice girlfriend I sometimes am, I decided to order the cone so my boyfriend (a pretzel connoseuir) could try it out. A chocolate-based ice cream sounded like the best compliment to a pretzel cone, so I picked the most interesting one at Sunset: Chocolate Marshmallow. After forking over more than $5 for a small cone (the special cone was a $1.50 upgrade), I was presented with a pretty-looking cone.

Now that's something you don't see every day!

The verdict? For the first time, I was more impressed with the cone than what was in it. And I couldn't even eat the cone! My boyfriend's review was generally positive, but he thought the cone was a tad too thick. We both loved the little plastic sleeve that the cone comes in - it keeps the pretzel salt intact until you're ready to eat it. Now the Chocolate Marshmallow ice cream? That was a different story. The ice cream had a freezer burn aftertaste, and the chocolate flavoring was weak. I'd hoped for thick swirls of marshmallow, but I didn't see (or taste) any. Perhaps a marshmallow extract is to blame for the weak chocolate flavor? All in all, I have to say this place is a "skip" - unless you are craving a malt. After all, there are other ice cream spots to choose from in Gettysburg.

The Stats:
Sunset Ice Cream Parlor
33 Steinwehr Avenue
Gettysburg, PA 17325
(717) 337-3125

Free-for-all at the 2012 DC Scoop Competition

Who says “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”?  

Not me.

This Sunday afternoon, I feasted on some of the best ice cream in the greater Washington, DC area at the Second Annual “DC Scoop” Competition. And everything was free. The DC Scoop is an outdoor ice cream sampling event and competition where the area’s artisan ice cream vendors serve their prized ice cream, frozen yogurt, and other frozen treats in hopes of being crowned that year’s “DC Scoop Winner.”

This year’s competition was held at Union Market – a highly-anticipated food market that opened this week in Northeast DC. I constantly find myself missing and fantasizing about Pike Place Market in Seattle – so I was excited to hear that an artisanal, curated, year-round food market was coming to the District. But I broke into the “Hallelujah” chorus (literally) when I read online that that Union Market would host the DC Scoop event during its opening weekend.

Like a kid on Christmas morning, I woke up early on Sunday eager to get the party started. While the boyfriend had to work, my B.F.F. (best foodie friend) Andrew agreed to accompany me to Northeast DC. After a 10-minute cab ride, we found ourselves surrounded by old warehouses and rundown wholesale markets. But straight ahead – the bright “UNION MARKET” sign stood out like friendly beacon.

The DC Scoop event was held in a fenced-in space next to the market, but Andrew and I purposely arrived early to explore the indoor market. We were pleasantly surprised by the variety and quality of food vendors we found inside Union Market. Fresh cheeses, organic meats, local produce, artisan chocolates, homemade pasta, spices - Union Market has it all.

After perusing the aisles of Union Market, it was finally time to head over to DC Scoop! Entry was free to the public, and each attendee received three pink ‘sample’ tickets for tasting and one golden ‘judging’ ticket to vote for their favorite vendor. While a panel of judges (defined as “stirrers and shakers of the DC food scene”) determines the DC Scoop Winner, the crowd’s votes do carry some weight with the judges. Andrew and I were among the first twenty or so people in line when the doors opened. After receiving our tickets, Andrew suggested we take a “survey” lap around the grounds before deciding how to allocate our sample tickets. Brilliant guy, I tell you.

Andrew and I took our time surveying the types of ice cream, frozen yogurt, custard, and sorbet offered by the 13 different vendors at DC Scoop: Boss Ice Cream, Captain Cookie & the Milk Man, Carmen's Italian Ice, Dolcezza Gelato, Gifford's, Goodies Frozen Custard, Savvy Pops, Sinplicity, Sweet Cream, Sugar Magnolia, Sweet Freeze, Taharka Brothers, and Trickling Springs Creamery. I'd say more than half of the vendors were serving samples from food trucks. Some vendors were sampling all of their flavors, while others had limited menus. Andrew and I both gravitated towards the more unique-sounding offerings. After all, we didn't make the trek to Northeast DC just to try chocolate chip or cookie dough!

You only get three 'sample' tickets at the DC Scoops Competition - so it's important to choose wisely. The first concoction I deemed worthy of a ticket was found at Carmen's Italian Ice. This Rockville, MD institution is famous for its 70+ flavors of homemade Italian ice. As a general rule, I'd choose ice cream over Italian ice. I prefer smooth and creamy frozen treats and find Italian ice too... well... icey! But the concept of "gelati" has long intrigued me. Frozen custard layered with Italian ice? Maybe I could choke that down. While I didn't take a formal tally, it seemed that Carmen's Italian Ice had one of the longer menus at DC Scoop. For a gelati sample, you get to choose two flavors - one for the Italian ice and one for the frozen custard. For my Italian ice, I already had my eye on the Chocolate Everything - chocolate ice with marshmallows, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and Reese's Cups. The staff at Carmen's insisted that the best complement to my Italian ice would be the Mokaccino (chocolate & coffee) frozen custard. I'm not one to turn down unsolicited ice cream advice.

Don't let the size of this cup fool you. This small "gelati" was packed with flavors and textures. The Chocolate Everything Italian ice lived up to its name - and the creamy (yes, creamy!) chocolate ice was jam-packed with chocolate chips and bits of Reese's Cups. Sadly, the marshmallows escaped my sample cup. The Mokaccino frozen custard flavor was so strong, I thought I felt a caffeine buzz. Ten years ago, I'd have hated it. But my adult coffee addict-self rejoiced.     

With just two tickets to go, the pressure was mounting. Spying a line forming at Sinplicity's truck, Andrew and I made a beeline towards last year's DC Scoop Winner. I'm glad we jumped in line when we did - because it only grew. The Falls Church, VA-based ice cream truck (officially named the "Sinmobile") certainly has a strong fan base in DC...

Just when Andrew and I were wondering whether any ice cream sample was worth this wait, I spotted a man walking along the line and passing out spoonfuls of ice cream from a pint he was carrying. Extra samples? I'd wait. And check out the shirt he was wearing - "Skinny people can't be trusted." That got a giggle from me when the Sinplicity man handed us each spoonfuls of Cappuccino Crunch, cappuccino ice cream with chocolate-covered almonds and amaretto. Delicious. The coffee flavor was weaker than in Carmen's frozen custard, but this was much more family-friendly. The amaretto swirl provided richness, and chocolate-covered almonds gave a sweet crunch. If you can believe it, Sinplicity didn't stop there! The next preview sample to make the rounds was the Lemon-Ginger sorbet with spiced Jamaican rum. This sorbet was made for my mother, who adores anything ginger-flavored. The sorbet was perfectly refreshing and sweet, with just enough ginger to compete with the lemon without overpowering it. As Andrew and I finally neared the Sinplicity truck, we met a celebrity!

The famous Emily!

Turns out, the owner's daughter Emily is the creator of one of Sinplicity's best-sellers, which bears her name. Emily's Peanut Butter Truffle is peanut butter ice cream mixed with chocolate truffles and swirled with dark chocolate. Emily was kind enough to let me try her concoction - and, boy, was it yummy. The peanut butter ice cream was one of the better versions I've tried - and her idea to use dark chocolate swirls - instead of the standard milk chocolate - was pure genius. Thanks, Emily!

For our full Sinplicity sample, Andrew and I just had to try the Blackberry & Cabernet sorbet with a "hint of lime." I forked over a sample tickets and was rewarded with one heck of a sample. The presentation alone scored points with me. The rich, deep purple sorbet. The generous serving size. The crisp biscotti garnish. And Oh. My. Goodness... this sorbet made me swoon. While many sorbets can be icy and overly-sweet, Sinplicity's sorbet was velvety in texture and complex in flavor. The deep blackberry and Cabernet flavors melded perfectly, and the lime gave the sorbet a refreshing aftertaste. This was so delicious that Andrew and I had to "take a moment" to enjoy our samples under the shade of the judging tent.

One ticket left...

I parted with my last ticket at Sugar Magnolia - a new ice cream shoppe in Cleveland Park. Sugar Magnolia was offering just two unique flavors at DC Scoop - and both Andrew and I had eyed their Peach Marscarpone earlier in the day. I wanted to pay tribute to the abundance of fresh peaches in DC this time of year, and I felt adventurous enough to try a cheese-flavored dessert. But I was sorely disappointed with the teeny-sized sample that was handed over. Not only was the cup about a third of the size of Sinplicity's - it wasn't close to being filled! In fact, the ice cream amounted to less than a spoonful - making it was difficult to really assess the flavor. Based on the bit of ice cream on my tongue, the marscarpone ice cream was full of flavor without being too rich or heavy. There was a hint of peach flavor, but it was pretty weak and overpowered by the cheese. All in all, an underwhelming finale to an otherwise fabulous tasting experience.

The verdict? I knew exactly who deserved my golden voting ticket: Sinplicity. Did I simply fall for their clever marketing schemes? Nah. The Blackberry & Cabernet sorbet was worthy of a King, and. If there had been silver tickets, I would've awarded mine to Carmen's Italian Ice for proving once-and-for-all that Italian ice can be just as decadent as ice cream. I was a bit sad about the missing marshmallows in my Chocolate Everything gelati, but I'm sure it was just a fluke. Sugar Magnolia's Peach Mascarpone ice cream was tasty, but their skimpy samples made it hard to really assess the flavor. I learned that at the DC Scoop, the best things don't come in small packages. They come in big cups topped with biscotti ;)

The Stats:

Union Market
1309 5th St NE
Washington, DC 20002

http://unionmarketdc.com