Fabulous Food Friday: Georgetown Cupcake

I was late on getting into the cupcake craze. I just didn't see what the big deal was. I loved cupcakes and all, but why not just bake a cake? It lasts longer.

So when the now-famous Georgetown Cupcake opened up shop a few years ago, complete with lines around the block, I shook my head. Was a cupcake really worth standing in line for long periods of time? Could those cupcakes really be worth it? Surely this was just a fad spurred on by all the Georgetown college students. (In case you're wondering, Georgetown Cupcake is featured on TLC's DC Cupcakes show.)

I didn't find out what I was missing until a client sent me a dozen cupcakes from Georgetown Cupcake as a thank you. Well, getting a thank you like that was something I wasn't about to resist. (Plus, can you imagine my surprise when a box of cupcakes was delivered to my office? I just about fell over in disbelief.)

Ok, so now you're wondering, were they good? Well, no, they weren't good. They were little pieces of heaven. The cakes were moist and flavorful and the icing was swirled on perfectly - they had the right ratio of cake to icing - just enough to put me into a sugar coma. I can't believe I had missed these all those years. What was I thinking?

But I've made up for lost time. When I went out for a walk with a friend, both of us pushing our daughters in strollers, we walked a few miles from Clarendon to Georgetown and ended up at Georgetown Cupcake. I brought home a dozen. Why not, right? Then Chris had his birthday. And Valentine's Day came around. Then our anniversary. My birthday will be here soon enough.

It's hard to pick a few favorite flavors because every cupcake I've tried from there so far has been delightful, but I definitely recommend the ones that have filling in the middle, such as the Lava Fudge. They are especially divine.

I can see why these cupcakes were worth standing in line for (though I've only done that once). But just a note, the shop does make deliveries inside the Beltway, or you can order a day ahead and pick them up in person, bypassing the line. (They also ship if you're out of state.) Now that the weather is  nicer, I have a feeling I'll be strolling towards Georgetown Cupcake again real soon.

Georgetown Cupcake
http://www.georgetowncupcake.com

Two locations: 
3301 M Street NW (corner of 33rd & M)
Washington, DC 20007

4834 Bethesda Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814

Fabulous Food Friday: Clarendon's Delhi Club

An Indian food feast at Clarendon's Delhi Club

It's been a long time since I've written about a fantastic restaurant, and given how many new places I've tried since then, it's about time to begin again. (Yes, even the Clarendon Cook needs to go out once in a while.)

There have been a lot of great restaurants opening in the Clarendon neighborhood in recent months (with more to come), but one of my favorites has been around for a few years - the Delhi Club. Chris and I have been going there for dinner for years and the Indian food it serves has become our favorite. Each dish is warm and delicious, definitely comfort food that fills you up. Look at the picture and tell me that doesn't look AMAZING, right?

I recently discovered that this place has a lunch buffet Monday through Friday. The buffet is a fantastic deal (just less than $10) for the wide selection offered -- they had my favorite Butter Chicken, and other great dishes like Chana Masalla, Chicken Vindaloo, Lamb Rogan Josh, Saag Paneer, Dal Makhani, and more.

I owe it to the Delhi Club for making Indian food my favorite cuisine. And that's hard to do given my Italian roots.

Delhi Club

1135 N. Highland Street

Arlington, VA  22201

703-527-5666

http://www.delhiclub.com

Fabulous Food Friday: Pittsburgh's Strip District

I recently recommended some restaurants in Pittsburgh to a friend who was going to visit my hometown, and thought I'd share a few with you.  All of these restaurants are located or have locations in Pittsburgh's famous Strip District, which houses many authentic Italian food markets, Mexican and Asian grocery stores, restaurants, and shops that sell spices, coffee, chocolates, and cookware, among other things.  (The name doesn't stand for anything lewd...for a brief history, see: http://www.neighborsinthestrip.com/thestrip/thestrip.html.)

Given that it's such a foodie paradise, Chris and I always make it a point to stop here on bustling Saturdays when we visit my parents to pick up marinara sauces, biscotti, nut rolls and other delicious things.  If we were able to easily transport refrigerated food back to Arlington with us, I would make it a point to buy some fresh fish at Wholey's fish market and some of the fresh produce at any number of stores.  Saturdays are busy (a great time to visit) and the air is filled with the smells of street vendors making Chinese food or grilled chicken skewers and markets giving away samples of their pepperoni rolls, luring in casual shoppers like me.  We always have fun exploring this area and seem to find something new to bring home every time we visit.

On to the restaurants...please feel free to let me know if you have any other great suggestions in da 'Burgh:

Lidia’s
Great Italian food for lunch or dinner.  I love their pasta trio of the day.
http://www.lidias-pittsburgh.com/

Primanti Brothers
If you’ve never tried their sandwiches topped with French fries and coleslaw, and I even know some Pittsburghers who haven't, you must stop here.  It's a classic Pittsburgh tradition.
http://www.primantibros.com/01locations.html - various locations around town

Roland’s
Known for their lobster roll, I particularly enjoy their fried fish sandwiches.
http://www.rolandsseafoodgrill.com/

Pamela’s
Fantastic breakfast place with amazing crepe style hotcakes that will melt in your mouth.
http://www.pamelasdiner.com/ – various locations around town

Fabulous Food Friday: Bakeshop

Let there be cake!  Cupcakes, to be specific.  I'm giving a special shout-out to my new neighbor, Bakeshop.  The cupcakes are truly amazing, though they have other sweet temptations on hand like a variety of cookies and oatmeal cream pies.  My husband Chris surprised me on Valentine's Day with two different kinds - red velvet and apple cupcakes.  The icing was so light and fluffy and the cakes were moist.  We've also tried the variety in the picture above - chocolate peanut butter, vanilla and chocolate - all were so fantastic that I will probably never need to bake again.  The cupcake craze is still in full swing and if you haven't tried this place yet, you must add it to your list.  For a leisurely afternoon in Clarendon, go to American Flatbread (see my previous review), walk a few doors down to Bakeshop for dessert, and buy a box of chocolates at Artisan Chocolates next door for the way home.  (I'll review Artisan soon but don't let that stop you from going there in the meantime.  Best chocolates around!)

It's hard to live right across the street from this place but I suppose someone has to do it.

Bakeshop
1025 N. Fillmore St., Suite G (Clarendon)
Arlington, VA  22201
(571) 970-6460
http://www.bakeshopva.com

Fabulous Food Friday: American Flatbread

The snow is falling and everyone in the DC area is hunkered down, bracing for the anticipated 20-30 inches.  Everyone has gone to the store, leaving shelves empty.  Except me.  Stores were too crowded last night!

I could bake a lot of sweets but I don't have too much "real" food at my fingertips.  If you're like me, or if you find yourself needing to get outside, here's one of my favorite neighborhood places - American Flatbread - that you should try.  Besides that it's directly across the street from where I live (how convenient!), it has amazing flatbread (a.k.a. pizza).  They use organic ingredients, and bake their flatbread in a "primitive wood-fired earthen oven."  It's a cozy place.  My favorite flatbread so far is their pepperoni and peppers, but the others are good too.  Stop in this weekend (since they will be open) or when the snow melts - you won't be disappointed!

American Flatbread (Clarendon)
1025 N. Fillmore St.
Arlington, VA  22201
(703) 243-9465
www.americanflatbread.com

Fabulous Food Friday: Five Guys

It seems like a rare treat when I leave the office to eat lunch out, rather than bringing it with me.  Today was one of those rare days.  I celebrated the near-close of a long week by eating at Five Guys.  And it was the most satisfying meal I've eaten all week.  There are just some days that call for a great burger and fantastic fries.  Oh, and here's some trivia for you: the first Five Guys opened in my 'hood, Arlington, Va., in 1986!  Now they have over 450 locations in 30 states.

If you haven't eaten at a Five Guys yet, go there the next time you're in the mood for a burger and fries.  Don't feel guilty either!  It's good to splurge a little.

Five Guys
http://www.fiveguys.com
-Various locations throughout the country.

Fabulous Food Friday: Chipotle

Chris and I just got back from a trip to Texas, where we ate more Tex-Mex food in one week than I ever have in my life. Yet I still have a hankering for some Tex-Mex food. Since it's Friday, I'll recommend a reliably good Tex-Mex style place that I hope is very familiar to all of you - Chipotle. You just can't go wrong with anything they have on the menu. And speaking of reliable, my order rarely strays from a Burrito Bol with rice, black beans, peppers and onions, barbacoa, mild salsa, lettuce, cheese and sour cream. Yum! Chris' order usually stays the same too...Burrito with black beans, grilled chicken with a little extra, mild salsa, and corn.

Have I tempted your taste buds yet?

You may find a recommendation of a chain restaurant to be strange, but I actually have met people who still haven't been to Chipotle yet.

Oh, and for all of you iPhone fans, Chipotle has an app that allows you to find the nearest location and to place an order. Yes, there's an app for that.

http://www.chipotle.com

Fabulous Food Friday: Mon Ami Gabi

Chris and I recently ventured to Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda for its Restaurant Week. If you've never been there, Mon Ami Gabi serves classic French cuisine and everything about it is enjoyable. We started with Baked Cheese, which is goat cheese baked in tomato sauce served with buttered baguette crisps. Even though I'm not usually a fan of goat cheese, I was even craving this a few days afterwards. Our entree was the classic Steak Frites, a wonderful hangar steak served with French fries. For dessert, we had chocolate lava cake with ice cream (in the picture above).

The DC area has two locations, one in Bethesda and the other in Reston. If you're looking for a nice date night place, Mon Ami Gabi is a must.

Web site: http://www.monamigabi.com.

Fabulous Food Friday: Wegmans Seafood Bar

Ahhh...Wegmans, how do I love thee, let me count thy ways. In the photo above, you're looking at some of the best scallops in the world that you can eat at the best grocery store in the world. My husband Chris and I went on a date the other night to Wegmans in Woodbridge, Va. If you're thinking, "Why on earth would you go on a date to a grocery store?" then you haven't been to Wegmans! At Wegmans Seafood Bar, we can sit at the "bar" and watch our food being made right in front of us, with a glass of vino or beer in hand. The scallops they serve seem to be the biggest on the planet. After the meal, I make Chris stroll through the store with me (though I don't think he minds) where I salivate at the extensive cheese counter, hummus and olive bar, dessert and bread counters, and pretty much everything else in the store. Now that's my idea of a great date!

Wegmans

To find the nearest location and to check out this Fabulous Food phenomenon, visit: http://www.wegmans.com/

If by chance a Wegmans official ever comes across this post, here's my request: please put a Wegmans inside the Beltway! I know it would have great success! :)

Fabulous Food Friday: The Dairy Godmother

I'm starting a new feature to commemorate my first week of blogging which began last Friday. On Fabulous Food Friday, I'll highlight some of my favorite DC metro area restaurants and food finds.

I'll begin this week with something sweet. If you haven't yet tried The Dairy Godmother in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA, you must visit soon. They make homemade ice cream, and my husband Chris and I will often go there for a treat on Sunday afternoons. Almost needless to say, but the ice cream is simply fabulous.

Here's their info and a great YouTube video:

The Dairy Godmother
2310 Mount Vernon Ave.
Alexandria, VA 22301
703-683-7767
Watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frvzTNGoj-A