DC Dessert Club

Sprinkles--So much bad in such a small package.

2011-05-10T22:05:00.004-04:00

Hello faithful readers,

I reviewed Sprinkles in Georgetown with guest reviewer Michelle Z. Sprinkles has all of the makings for a great cupcake place. The staff is courteous, the store and the cupcakes are beautiful, and it is in a great location. I usually operate on the assumption that all cupcakes have some good in them. A cupcake might not be to my liking but there is probably someone out there who might really enjoy it. That being said, I could not find anything good about the strawberry cupcake. It was everything that could go wrong in a dessert compressed into one small cupcake. The cake was dry and the icing had a Crisco taste to it. It was truly amazing how bad it was. I have no choice but to create a new classification--not fit for human consumption under any circumstances!!! It was so bad that we had to throw away most of the cupcake and that is pretty major considering that I ate all the leftovers of the cupcake (stale muffin dipped in chocolate) at the frozen custard place in DC. Keep on keepin on.

Roscoe

Buzz Bakery--Awesome cupcake place except for the cupcakes.

2011-03-29T22:31:00.004-04:00

This week I reviewed the Buzz Bakery on Slaters Lane with two guest reviewers (shout out to Holly and Tali). I would like to start by saying I love this place. First, it is open to midnight. Meaning that when your sitting in your house at 10:30 pm and have a hankering for some sweets no problemo. For the fellas (I seriously doubt any dudes read this blog but it is worth a try) this is the perfect place for a late night dessert date. The shop is more of a cafe with hip music and free wifi. The staff are totally awesome. They are always friendly and I always enjoy myself. Case in point, I asked the employee to give me a description of the lemon cupcake and he told me the following "Imagine that you are in a giant house that is made out of a cupcake that is really hot inside. You drink a cup of lemonade and it is the best lemonade that you have ever had. That is what the lemon cupcake taste like." Honestly--after that description it would have been a gross crime against humanity not to try the cupcake. So we ordered the lemon , flower power, and chocolate ganache cupcakes.

The cupcakes where alright--they are average at best. So much potential!!!! I really really, really, wanted this place to be great and it was, except for the cupcakes. I give this place a solid 3. I will have to admit that my guest reviewers had differing opinions but they will have to start there own blog. Advice to owners--work on the cupcakes and keep the crazy guy that serves the cupcakes. The kid has chutzpah. Roscoe out.

Red Velvet--An Insult to all Good Cupcakes

2011-03-15T22:07:00.007-04:00

Hello Loyal Readers,

Last week we took our highly sophisticated pallets to Red Velvet by Dupont Circle. I will have to admit that the experience started off on the wrong foot. Adrian and Ashley had dropped me off to get the cupcakes as there was no available parking. I walked into a completely empty store and stood at the counter for five minutes. Finally I yelled hello. I was greeted by the flush of toilet instantly followed by the appearance of an employee. Let me emphasize INSTANTLY. There was no swoosh of a sink turning on, no click of a soap dispenser, no rolling of paper towels. Unless his name is Marty McFly and he has a time machine I have a sinking suspicion that the employee did not wash his hands!! Anyway, the employee was courteous and served me four carefully chosen cupcakes (yes without gloves). I selected the black velvet, peanut butter cup, summertime, and Key West--shout out to Fla. The cupcakes where mediocre and did not compare to the quality that we have become accustomed to. That being said the Key West was the saving grace. The flavors where well blended and the Swiss white chocolate butter cream icing was awesome. We ranked that cupcake a 3.75. We ranked the cupcakes together at 2.75. Factoring in parking and poor sanitation, I think that Red Velvet Dupont Circle is a solid 2.25. In other words those cupcakes where an insult to all good cupcakes everywhere. Roscoe out.

Bakeshop

2011-03-11T13:25:00.002-05:00

After visiting Bakeshop once before and not being terribly impressed, we decided to give it another try. Minutes after tasting their cupcakes I started thinking of all of the things I could have bought with the $9.59 that I just wasted. Folks, I don't want to be a downer on this place, but I don't ever plan to return.

Dreamsicle: The cake was ok, a white cake mixed with an orangey flavor. The frosting, however, tasted like it came from a vat of chemicals. Ok, that's a little harsh, but something was definitely wrong with their frosting.

Kit Kat Cupcake: If I made a chocolate cupcake from a boxed mix, it would have tasted better than this one. The only thing it had going for it was the piece of kit kat on top.

Chipwich: Bakeshop got some redemption from me on this little number. The chipwich was good, but not out of this world. I would probably go back to buy one of these...if they let me back in the door after reading this review. (Ouch)

Final Score: 2 out of 5

p.s. At least some people like this place. Good for them.

Heller's Bakery

2011-03-09T23:18:00.002-05:00

Sometimes you're in DC and you're looking for this interesting dessert place that you heard about and sometimes that place just can't be found. This "sometime" happened to us on one of our DC Dessert Club outings, but 'luckily" we ran into a bakery on our journey, Heller's Bakery to be exact. What this place has going for it is its old fashion image, it's very nostalgic. The desserts on the other hand left a void in our hearts and in our stomachs.

Here on the left, we've got a cannoli, not a choice favorite. The initial taste was quite good, but when we went back for another try, the taste factor went down hill.

On the right, we've got the winner for the day, the eclair. From the filling, to the pastry, to the frosting, this was delicious.

I can't even remember what this was, and I ordered it!! It was a creamy cake with fruit on top. The cake was actually fairly moist. I liked it well enough, but it wasn't outstanding.

The pineapple upside-down cake was once again, just ok. We definitely like our roommates homemade version better! Speaking of, here's a picture of our DC Dessert Club guest of the day, Alex.

Just basking in the sun, while avoiding having to eat another bite of that cake.

And the all time disappointment of the day was the Shamrock cupcake. It had so much potential based on its complete greeness, ok maybe not. The cake turned out to be very dry, the frosting wasn't anything special, and I'm not even sure what the shamrock on top was made out of.

The shamrock on the shirt was cute though, thanks to Bryce for dressing so festively.

In the immortal words of Roscoe "I want to punch it in its cupcake face!"

Heller's Bakery: 2.1 out of 5

Boccato Gelato

2011-03-07T22:31:00.000-05:00

What is the first thing you should do when after months and months of suffering through the deathly cold of winter you find yourself experiencing the first warmth of spring? Go get something cold. Well, at least that's what we did.

We checked out Boccato Gelato in Arlington on the delightful Wilson Boulevard. The weather was delightful. The street was delightful. The service was delightful, especially the delightfully sarcastic comments made when we were taking our delightful time to decide on which flavors we wanted. Who could blame us though? The rows of bright gelato looked oh so refreshing and delightful, who wouldn't struggle to choose just two?

Each gelato bin was delightfully decorated. For example, check out this delightful Cookies n' Cream Monster:

I got a delightful double scoop of double delightful mango and only slightly delightful pistachio.

Roscoe was the winner of the day with his delightful choice flavors: XXX and black raspberry, both of which came together for an extra delightful combination.

I don't know if this is just the delightful weather talking, but I would like to rate Boccato Gelato a delightful 4.1 out of 5.

Baked and Wired

2011-03-04T12:58:00.000-05:00

Imagine a place where lemon and raspberry combine to make a cupcake flavor worth crying tears of joy for.

Imagine a place where Texas sheet cake becomes Texas Sheet Cupcake, and the flavor stays just as big.

Imagine a place where they sell nutella brownies that taste like food they serve in...Dante's Inferno.

Imagine a place where you can make chalk drawings on the wall of anything you want.

Imagine a place where the air smells like sugar and caffeine and a hint of world peace.

If you are imagining correctly, you are imagining this place, Baked and Wired:

The amount of sugar they put in their baked goods gives you quite the high and makes you wonder what else they put in them. But the sugar buzz is worth it, for the most part. Order the cupcakes, stay away from the brownies. And if you want to fit in, maybe try wearing some flowers in your hair and some birkenstocks.

Final Score: 3.9 out of 5 Cupcakes

Georgetown Cupcake

2011-03-03T15:25:00.002-05:00

On our continued search for the best chocolate cupcake, we visited the famous Georgetown Cupcake, home to TLC's DC Cupcakes. Let me tell you, this place is a well oiled machine, a cupcake factory! I've heard that this place draws big crowds, but fortunately for us we didn't have to deal with any lines. We wanted to taste an assortment so got 3 very different cupcakes.

Our sources told us that we couldn't go wrong with the chocolate ganache. However, after tasting this cupcake, we couldn't disagree more. What a disappointment. I mean, it wasn't the worst cupcake in the world, but it DID taste like a cupcake from a box.

Next we tried Key Lime. It was a crowd pleaser and my favorite cupcake from G-town Cupcake. The cake had lime shavings and the frosting was a lime cream cheese. It was delicious!

The overall winner for the day was the Pumpkin Spice. It had the warmth and satisfaction of a Thanksgiving dinner all rolled up in one little cupcake.

"Wow, that was good. I could eat another one right now...actually, 3 of those right now." -Roscoe

Price: Surprisingly cheap for a famous shop

Taste: Not tv noteworthy

Service: Quick without a smile

Atmosphere: A factory, like a well oiled machine.

Date Factor: Kitchy/Trendy

Final Score: 3.4 out of 5 Cupcakes

Pret a Manger

2011-03-02T21:25:00.000-05:00

I learned an important lesson today: don't go to a sandwich place looking for dessert.

I was standing in line at Pret a Manger and I was seduced by the cute little name and packaging of this little Love Bite. I thought for sure the little treat would be a bite full of....well, a bite full of love.

The Love Bite is for the birds. Literally, it has bird food in it. Seeds, raisins, dry crumbs, and (I'm convinced) a hint of sidewalk chalk. It left my mouth dry and my heart empty. After experiencing what the birds eat every day, I wanted to go out and feed them chocolate chips and cheesecake and gumdrops.

They deserve better than what they're getting.

Don't learn this lesson on your own, learn it from me and don't get dessert at a sandwich place.

{if only it had been like a lollipop}

Final rating: 1.75 out of 5

Restaurant 3

2011-02-15T20:35:00.000-05:00

Some co-workers joined Ashley and I for our next dessert delight at Restaurant 3 in Clarendon. The only thing I knew about this place is that it serves southern food. And I love me some good southern cookin.' But this was not the time to get me some Chicken and Waffles, I was on the hunt for the next greatest dessert. While perusing their website for the dessert menu I was pleasantly surprised to find this little treasure:

Bacon Studded Waffle with Maple Bacon Ice Cream

We arrived to find a cozy fireplace in the waiting area up front, but quickly became confused as we walked back to the dining area to sit among southern kitchy gift shop decor. This place is having an identity crisis.

"The Cobbler"

This was a big disappointment. It was like eating a bunch of

warm apples with some dried oats sprinkled on top.

"The Baconator" aka Bacon Studded Waffle
with Maple Bacon Ice Cream

I think we were overly excited about eating this dessert. My expectations were definitely high. First impressions: it tasted like a piece of really strongly flavored bacon. Not only until you mixed all of the flavors: berry, waffle, ice cream and carmel did it really begin to gel together.

"Choclately Goodness" aka Chocolate Bread Pudding

This was my favorite dessert, although not all the others agreed. It was so moist and warm and just melted in your mouth. I loved it!

Price: Too much for me

Taste: Unreliable

Service: Picture perfect worthy (hotties), although in general, too slow

Atmosphere: Schizophrenic

Date factor: Go for it, if you want to risk getting laughed at.

Final Grade: 2.5 out of 5

Valentines' Special

2011-02-15T00:03:00.000-05:00

You are supposed to love desserts every day of the year, but on V-day, you should love them just a little more.

In honor of the holiday, we took our dessert love for a night out on the town to Co Co Sala. We ordered fancy treats and sipped gourmet hot chocolate. Here's what we discovered:

#1 - If you have to dig through a brownie to get to the most delicious part, it cannot be considered a delicious brownie.

#2 - You can go crazy with mixing chocolate with unique flavors (i.e. cinnamon toffee bon bon, peanut butter hot chocolate, ginger caramel ice cream) but don't go too crazy (i.e. chipotle hot chocolate).

#3 - Waiters that flirt with you may be working for a bigger tip, but they sure are cute.

and finally, #4 - Make sure you have a designated driver, because no one should be allowed to drive home after reaching an unhealthy chocolate buzz level.

Final Critique:

Price: Go on pay day

Taste: Mostly for sophisticated palettes

Service: Flirting teases

Atmosphere: It's hard to judge when you're seated right outside the bathroom instead of in the restaurant

Date factor: HOT (that is, if your date likes club vibes with dark lighting, loud music, and aesthetically pleasing dessert presentations)

Final Grade: 3.1 out of 5

The Holy Grail of Cup Cakes

2011-02-13T00:23:00.000-05:00

Hello fans of the DC dessert club. For this next review I feel as if I need to give some background information. I have been in pursuit of the ultimate cupcake for multiple years. My quest has brought me to many shops around the DC metro area. During this quest I have always heard of these mythical cupcake trucks. No matter how hard I looked I have never come across one. Until last Monday. I was walking out of Cosi and BAM!! everything that is good about America was there before me symbolized by a four wheel dispensary of cupcake goodness.

I said to myself what better way to follow my salad then to eat a large amount of sugar, butter, and more sugar. I choose the Madagascar vanilla bean cupcake with chocolate butter-cream icing.

The service was great and quick. The cake itself was slightly dry. The frosting was good but nothing amazing. I give the cupcake a solid 3 out of 5. But lets be honest, anything served out of a truck is pretty dang awesome. Therefore, I am going to give the cupcake a revised score of 3.25. The truck has since disappeared and has not been sighted since. I can check this off of my list, the cupcake was not amazing but every connoisseur of desserts must at least try it once. (I think that you can follow it on Facebook and get the locations for each day but somehow that feels like cheating).

Crumbs Bake Shop

2011-02-09T23:24:00.000-05:00

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. That's what DC Dessert Club discovered when it held its first official meeting at Crumbs Bake Shop.

It was the best of times when the guy behind the counter bent over backwards to help us choose the perfect flavors for us - he even sold us on his favorite, Hugs and Kisses.

It was the worst of times when we overheard the same guy behind the counter tell the next customers his favorite cupcake was Pistachio and we discovered he was a pusher.

It only went downhill from there when the cupcake testing followed the same best of times/worst of times pattern.

It was the best of times - Hugs and Kisses: vanilla cake filled with Hershey Hugs and Kisses topped with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles.

*Good, but not great.

"That almost made me like cupcakes. But I only wanted to hug it, not kiss it." -Ashley

"That gets one mini-slap." -Roscoe

It was the worst of times - Lemon: vanilla cake with cream cheese lemon frosting.

*Cake was horribly dry. Frosting was terribly sweet. Where was the lemon?

"I've never eaten a more boring cupcake." -Ashley

It was the best of times - Fluffernutter: vanilla cake filled with creamy peanut butter deliciousness and topped with marshmallow heaven.

*Seriously, everyone should try this because everyone should go to heaven.

"The fluffernutter is the only thing keeping this place afloat." -Adrienne

"That was really good." -Roscoe

It was the worst of times - Blackout: chocolate cake with fudge and vanilla custard topped with chocolate cream cheese frosting and chocolate crumbs drizzled with chocolate.

*Unfortunately, a cupcake so disgusting, it promoted violent behavior from the mere taste of it.

"I want to punch it in its cupcake face." -Roscoe

"I want to throw this against the window." -Adrienne

Overall, Crumbs Bake Shop scored pretty low on all our criteria:
Price: Pricey
Taste: Crap Shoot
Service: Pushers
Atmosphere: You can never go wrong with classic 80s' rock
Date Factor: No go

Final Critque: 2.4 out of 5 Cupcakes