Thomas Sweet: The Best FroYo In Town

There are some days when all I want is a good old cup (or cone) of frozen yogurt. While I love Pinkberry, Tasti D-Lite, Sweetgreen, and all of the other common chain brands, there’s something special about an old fashioned ice cream shop with flavors that you can’t find everywhere else.

Enter Thomas Sweet, a traditional ice cream shop in Georgetown on Wisconsin Avenue that features frozen yogurt in flavors of ice cream without all of the calories. For example, mint chocolate chip, fudge brownie, creamy peanut butter, and coffee, to name a few.

The best part of the froyo experience? Having it served in either an oversized cup, or a chocolate-dipped cone with sprinkles of your color preference. And if you’re feeling daring, don’t shy away from the wide selection of toppings, ranging from vanila wafers and every crumbled candy bar imaginable to hot fudge sauce and fruit, plus more. My favorite? Oreos on mint chocolate chip.

Thomas Sweet 3214 P St NW, Washington, DC 20007 

Brunching Hotel Style

Some of the best brunch I’ve encountered in D.C. is hotel-based.

Hotels in the district seem to master the classic Sunday brunch ritual, which I’ve been accustomed to since growing up in a family of foodies, where reminiscing over a fun weekend amid flavorful breakfast food on steroids (but not actually) is the norm.

Whether you’re in the mood for fluffy pancakes, a healthy egg white omelet, hot-out-of-the-oven cinnamon rolls, or fresh squeezed orange (the real good stuff), hotels are the way to go. They expect that customers have high standards and will go the extra mile to make your dining experience a little bit more special.

Here are my top recommendations:

• Blue Duck Tavern at the Park Hyatt
• Juniper at the Fairmont
• The Caucus Room at the Westin
• Seasons at the Four Seasons

Thanksgiving Pies: From My House To The White House

Thanksgiving is known for its traditional roster of food: turkey and gravy, sweet potatoes with toasted marshmallows on top, cranberry sauce, and parker house rolls to name a few. And of course there’s the staple favorite, pumpkin pie, which never fails to be a popular hit on my table during the holiday–it was half eaten by the first 10 minutes of being on the table, to eventually being entirely eaten soon after.

While I was satisfied with my one pumpkin pie, the White House had nine pies in a variety of flavors that have my taste buds going. That’s a Thanksgiving dinner I’d love to be invited to–wishful thinking, but of course.

Here’s the list of pies that were served at White House this Thanksgiving:

• Huckleberry Pie
• Pecan Pie
• Chocolate Cream Pie
• Sweet Potato Pie
• Peach Pie
• Apple Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Banana Cream Pie
• Coconut Cream Pie

Related articles

• Nine pies on White House Thanksgiving menu (politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com)
• The Obamas: Nine Types of Pie for Thanksgiving (whitehousedossier.com)
• Obama Thanksgiving menu: Turkey, ham, 9 kinds of pies (voices.suntimes.com)
• Obamas spend quiet Thanksgiving at White House (sfgate.com)

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake Squares

Happy Thanksgiving! The holiday marks my favorite eating day of the year–everything from the turkey and stuffing to sweet potatoes with toasted marshmallows, and of course the desserts, has my mouth watering all day.

While the traditional recipes and classic desserts, like pumpkin pie and apple pie, are a must in my book, there’s also something fun about trying new recipes. The most recent recipe I’ve tried? Pumpkin chocolate chip bundt cake squares, which just came fresh and hot out of the oven.

Click here for the recipe I followed.

17 Reasons To Celebrate Thanksgiving at 1789 Restaurant

1. You can enjoy a delicious three course Thanksgiving meal for pre-fixed $50
2. There’s also an al carte menu
3. Dine in style amid a historic Georgetown setting
4. Rustic, cozy and holiday feel
5. The six dining rooms will be decorated with seasonal flowers
6. The Chef, Anthony Lombardo, is among the 2013 Best Chefs America
7. There will be 375 pies made on Thanksgiving
8. Pumpkin pie being one of them, naturally
9. The restaurant is serving dinner from noon-nine
10. You’re bound to spot a politician
11. Great for wanting a homey vibe without having to host at your own home
12. Simple twists on classic staples, like vanilla-infused mashed potatoes
13. There are complements of the chef at the beginning of your meal
14. Environment is easy to talk in
15. Beyond attentive without being obnoxiously polite staff and service
16. Great for both couples and families
17. I’ve been there and I can tell you it’s one of the best meals I’ve had

1789 Restaurant,  1226 36th St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Peacock Cafe: Great Food & Great Sightings

Peacock cafe is known for an abundance of things: D.C.’s first full-service fresh fruit and vegetable juice bar (perfect for the smoothie aficionado and health-nut), power brunches comprised of the district’s politicians, the best french fries, and a hub for celebrity spotting.

Unlike New York City or Los Angeles, running into celebrities isn’t a daily event in the District,  but at Peacock Cafe, it’s a bit more regular, and you’re bound to spot someone on a pretty frequent level.

Tiesto & Fan

The latest diners? Bradley Cooper, who visited the restaurant earlier in the year and posed with the restaurant’s owner, Maziar Farivar, and Tiesto, who was dining a couple of weeks ago and posed with a fan.

Bradley Cooper & Peacock Owner

Raku Stir Fry

I don’t know what it is, but there’s something ultra-satisfying about a good stir-fry. Maybe it’s the abundance of fresh vegetables, tender pieces of chicken, and rich teriyaki sauce infusing the ingredients, which makes for a pretty great dinner staple.

My favorite version is at Raku in DuPont Circle, an Asian restaurant featuring not only my favorite items, such as chicken teriyaki, lo mien, and fish, but it also features a sushi bar which seems very popular among customers (I haven’t tried the sushi yet).

So if you’re in the mood for a delicious warm dish of vegetables, chicken and more (you can add shrimp, meat–essentially whatever you want) head on over.

Raku 1900 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Related articles worth checking out!

• Totally Simple Teriyaki Chicken Stir-fry (simplyafoodaddiction.wordpress.com)
• The Vegetable Stir Fry (thegrecianneworleanian.com)
• Updated Teriyaki Chicken & Broccoli (with Sriracha) (docptolemysays.wordpress.com)
• What’s for Dinner? Stir-Fry (adventuresofadairyfreemom.wordpress.com)

Chef Jose Andres & Me

Last year, I had the pleasure of taking Chef Jose Andres’ course at GWU called World On A Plate. Being a total foodie, it was incredible to hear Mr. Andres, or rather Professor Andres, speak about food issues around the world and explore food from a variety of perspectives on a weekly basis. This range included looking at food as a public health issue, an industry, a science, and as a political instrument.

My favorite part of the course was when Professor Andres brought a different guest lecturer to class every week to teach us about what they do, in addition to lecturing us on specific food topics and issues. My favorite guest? Danny Meyer, the founder of Shake Shack.

This summer, I coincidentally bumped into Professor Andres at his restaurant in Los Angeles, California, The Bazaar, and it turned out to be quite the treat. He recognized me from my class (we naturally decided to snap a picture for the GWU Twitter page, and of course my memorabilia) and ended up seating me in the VIP section. It was a great experience, and the food was delicious.

For D.C. locals, Chef Andres has 3 wonderful restaurants in the city: Jaleo, Oyamel, and Mini Bar (which is virtually impossible to get into, and incredibly expensive).

Every one of Chef Andres’ restaurant’s is an experience, and the food never fails to disappoint.

D.C: A City Of…

Cupcakes are ubiquitous in the Georgetown area, leading to a consistent rage among tourists and locals in town. With so many options to choose from, where’s it worth to splurge on calories and dollars, and where’s it worth to save?

Below are my 3 favorites where you and your sweet tooth won’t be disappointed:

1. Baked & Wired: Cupcakes, better known as cakecups, are available in unique and delicious flavors including Unicorns & Rainbows (vanilla cake with heart confetti mixed into the batter and topped with cream cheese icing), Flapjack (maple brown butter cupcake with caramel buttercream and candied bacon on top (bacon optional), and Chocolate Cupcake of Doom  Eat, at your own risk (chocolate cake with a dark chocolate satin frosting).

2. Georgetown Cupcake: located in the heart of Georgetown, the cupcake eatery has expanded into 6 locations across the US and a TV show, D.C. Cupcakes, on TLC to date. While there’s always a line wrapped around the street, especially on holidays (the worst being on Valentine’s Day), the heavenly consistency and perfectly sweet taste are way worth the wait. The most popular flavor? Red velvet.

3. Sprinkles: Beautiful on both the outside and the inside, indeed. The chic presentation of Sprinkles cupcakes is representative of the high-quality cake you’re about to indulge in. They’re moist, fun, and probably the most classic of the cupcakes listed, and sometimes that’s what’s best–just a good old cupcake. My favorite flavor? S’mores!

Macaroni & Cheese…All Grown Up

In my book, you can never go wrong with a delicious bowl of mac & cheese–be it the Kraft version which you put in the microwave for instant gratification, or a homemade creation from a recipe passed down from older generations in your family, the cheesy pasta is the ultimate comfort food, especially on a cool Fall day.

Since I don’t tend to cook when I’m in my dorm room, I find myself looking for the staples I’d usually eat at home at restaurants. Enter the macaroni & cheese at Firefly, a rustic restaurant near Dupont Circle with gourmet cuisine by Executive Chef Tood Wiss, featuring a seasonally driven menu with fresh local ingredients.

It’s one of those irresistible items on the menu, perfect for sharing with your dinner-mate (or just for yourself….if you can handle it).

Firefly, 1310 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036