Getting Baked and Wired: The Cupcake Renaissance.

Have you noticed that you can’t go 2 blocks with out running into a cupcake in DC? No? well you will now…

Every coffee shop, gellato shop, even pizza place sells cupcakes. There are even speciality shops just for cupcakes like the infamous Georgetown Cupcakes (barf), Sprinkles, Red Velvet…the list goes on. Before moving to DC cupcakes to me were only the ones you get at a supermarket in the plastic holder with the light whippy frosting and plastic toys rings on top. Cupcakes were not a “thing” in Florida, people don’t really care about cupcakes because they care about smoothies and the gym.

But now I see how cupcakes are kind of a “thing”, they are actually a delectable desert that should always be of the best quality. Add to the list of things I am a snob about: cupcakes. Those crappy supermarket cupcakes I spent my whole life hating at birthday parties in the cafeteria will never grace my lips again because this is a new era! This is a CUPCAKE RENAISSANCE! (for me at least)…I have been awakened to a lifestyle of excellent quality cupcakes and I’m never going back.

While georgetown cupcakes gets all the attention in DC, I am here to inform you as a self proclaimed pseudo cupcake novice conesour (say that three times fast) that waiting in the Georgetown Cupcake line that usually raps around the block a few times (damn tourists) is not worthwhile!

Yeah sure, you get a cool pink box for every purchase no matter if you buy one or 20 cupcakes and its on TV so it must be cool…but just a few blocks down M street is a little coffee shop slash bakery called Baked and Wired…yoooo right, i’m so high right now 420 fo-lyf…IGNORE ME.

Let me just say that the cupcakes at this fine establishment are supreme, they are big and fresh and ugh just LOOK AT THEM! In general this is probably one of my favorite coffee shops in the Georgetown area which is in dire need of more cool coffee shops BTW. The walls are always covered with local artists art and the staff is really cool and eclectic looking. I think I counted 3 nose rings on this one girl working the register.

The set up is very unique and unconventional, as are many of the businesses in Georgetown due to the 100 year old buildings they are located in. When you walk inside you have two choises, a fork in the road if you will. To the left is the bakery line where on display are an assortment of pastries desserts and the underrated yet quite superb cupcakes. (as pictured below it is always PACKED on this side, fatties.)

and to the left behind the wall is the coffee (oh yeah they have coffee too, oh yeah this is a coffee blog!!)

The baristas are coffee fanatics, you can just see it in their eyes… The way they ask you if you want your African brew to be french pressed or poured over, never flinching when an ignoramus coffee consumer asks “whats dat mean, der de derrr?” They are happy to explain in overly animated detail about the entire process of how every blend can be poured and the differences between the nuances in taste.

SIDE RANT: Baristas (who know their shit) truly are artists, they can create the most masterful brews and it’s sad because in the end that $3.00 latte is just hastily slurped up by an unappreciative cold caffeine addict who can’t even drink their coffee black because they don’t understand the true flavors of a good fruity brew! (RANT OVER, still there?…pretty cupcakes in jars!)

To surmise: Baked and Wired has a fantastic bakery that not only has cupcakes in glass jars displayed all around but quiche, pies, zilla bones aka dog treats, and hippie crack! Thats right, for all you hippies fending for crack, you can get your fix at this here fine establishment…ok, its granola. But still, YUM! Don’t forget about the magical baristas who not only serve coffee blends but an assortment of teas. And they also hold cool events like brista training sessions by Stumptown, and sometimes they have poetry slams and what not.

So if your ever in Georgtown, because maybe family is in town and your forced to be a tourist…do your self a favor and get Baked and Wired, you won’t. 

LOGISTICS:

You can find them at

1052 Thomas Jefferson Street in
Georgetown

Just look for their signature pink bike out side the store front.

Hours of op:

Mon- Thurs 6:59am-7pm
Fri 6:59am-9pm
Sat 8am-9pm
Sun 9am-7pm

and follow them on twitter to see whats happenin’, brah. @bakedandwireddc

This is me and my strong man friend Chelly Belly straight posted up by the very patriotic wall at B&W.

That is all.

-A

The Best Brunch EVER: North Side Social.

HEY EVERYONE! Since brunch is obviously the best part of the weekend, I mean come on…its BRUNCH…I thought I should share with you THE MOST AMAZING BRUNCH IN ALL THE LAND!…but i’m not going to build it up or anything, so don’t get too excited….Actually this post will focus more on SHOWING (not telling) you about  lovely afternoon spent at Northside Social with friends, food, and coffee! Don’t fret, I will TELL you all about this magical place and my official addiction to their brunch soon, very soon! In the mean time feast your eyes on these high-depth pictures I took with expensive heavy lenses and spent hours editing in Lightroom, aka instagram.

The culture is counter. Is delicious. Is.

Double fisting.

Latte art is all around us, she would drink all of these don’t temp her.

The most delicious salmon and egg brunch, omg I’m so craving this right now….

mmmm.

ALL GONE. (twitching from caffeine over dose)

Ok, I know you are all dying to know more about this amazing place I’ve instagramed to death above, and I am dying to tell you more about it! So stay tuned for more information, but in the mean time just dream of mocha lattes and salmon english muffin goodness!

-Besos, Ali

Being A Conscious, Conscious Consumer

I’m a coffee shop rat. Yes, that is self-proclaimed and I’m not ashamed to say you are more likely to find me in coffee shop than a library, and my bank statement may or may not be full  of numerous $3.50 charges on a weekly basis. I love coffee. I love the culture around coffee, the community and conversation, and even the way a hot mug warms me up on a cold afternoon.

After living in Portland, Oregon for a year, it’s safe to say that I can accept the title “coffee snob”  I recently transferred to American University in Washington DC and I’m taking a International Research Methods class. When my professor told us to pick a research topic we felt passionate about, I didn’t have to look past the to-go coffee mug on my desk for inspiration. I’m currently starting my research on Fair Trade coffee certification.

So while I have your attention, lose all your coffee-shops-are-for-hipsters stereotypes, because coffee is much more than a legal addictive substance popularized by fixie bikes and flannel shirts. It’s even more than your homework buddy or your afternoon pick-me-up. Behind every coffee bean is a community and a person and a livelihood. Next to petroleum, coffee is the second highest demanded commodity imported into the United States…

**To read the rest of this post by Chloe the Lyon and learn more about how to be a conscious, conscious consumer click here!**

Thx!

-MGMT

The Creamery: An Issue of National Importance

Time to get back to the purpose of this blog. What is that you ask? To tell you about great coffee shops in DC, of course. Todays post is about The Creamery, sometimes referred to as Le Creamery for pretentious purposes. This coffee shop is a hidden gem in the basement of Capitol Hill’s Longworth Building.

Since we are in DC it only makes sense to hit our ENORMOUS Capitol Hill reader demographic right?…all two of you… Well actually a slight caveat: before you read any further, do not proceed thinking your going to be enlightened about a trendy underground coffee shop hidden in a government building. No, the US government isn’t secretly hip or trendy…not yet anyways (I’m working on that). This is more of a slight complaint about the U.S. Government’s standards for coffee shop experiences, maybe I should call my Congressmen. (Are you listening Ted Deutch?!) Honestly, having a cosy spot with wooden tables and exposed brick walls might really raise moral in the work place, just saying’!

Regardless, as an ode to our DC Hill Staffers, who hold The Creamery near and dear to their hearts, I will proceed.   This is not by definition a “coffee shop” and no you will not spot any hipsters writing screen plays, however you will find good coffee, home made ice cream, fresh delectable deserts, and locally made candy. As if Hill staffers need any more carbs…just being honest!

The line to get your caffeine fix is pretty lengthy around 8:30-9:15 am but it is worth the wait (mostly because there is no where else to go in a 2 mile radius). And since it is located on the basement level, it allows for easy access from any adjacent buildings like the Cannon or Rayburn. So I guess all that is left to say is if anyone is in the area and wants to grab a cup of joe from Le Creamery let me know, we can talk about how pertinent it is for there to be a bill passed enforcing coffee shops in government buildings to be more hip, trendy, and innovative–laugh!

-Ali

Magical Music Monday! (…on thursday)

HEY there HI there HO there! Obviously great coffee shops and great music go hand in hand, as we have aforementioned on this here blogaroo. Therefore I here by declare every Monday to be Magical Music Mondays of Mayhem and Mango Marmalade! What is this Balderdash? I play too many boardgames. But don’t worry, MMMMM will sometimes actually be on Monday’s I promise…maybe. Anywayssss, todays featured artist will make your latte sipping, homework cramming, people watching coffee shop and all around life experience way better.

I’m talking about the one, the only…Beirut! Ok, no i’m not talking about the capitol of Lebanon, I’m talking bout the other one and only Beirut, the Balkan-Indie folk band from Sante Fe, New Mexico. Who cares where they’re from, just listen to this. BYE!

Oh, and of course a Take Away Show, for your viewing pleasure!

Big Bear Cafe

This post is brought to you on location. I’m currently sitting on an old wooden bench at Big Bear Cafe enjoying a hot cup peach blossom white tea surrounded by exposed brick walls, wood floors, and an improv night. This place is it. It has it. I’ve spent my first three weeks in DC traveling from coffee shop to coffee shop and this is the closest I’ve gotten to this high unattainable picture of coffee shop perfection in my mind.

Alright. I may be a little dramatic but let me explain.

I recently transfered to American University from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR.  I’m a Florida native, but Portland stole my heart, mostly because it was fluent in the language: coffee. As the birth place of Stumptown Coffee, the coffee shops are excellent and the brews are perfect. Needless to say, I have high and almost snobby, standards for coffee shops. I walked in to Big Bear and immediately felt like I was  back in the NorthWest. Big Bear Cafe is located on the corner of  1st and Florida in NW Washington DC tucked away in Bloomingdale district. Surrounded by old row houses, the building is a white ivy-covered old house with outdoor patio seating and a small garden out front.

It is an urban coffee utopia. DC is a busy fast-paced city but every time I’m at Big Bear I feel like the noise of the city is silenced and the world stops. It’s a suction cup of warm serenity. My favorite time to go is at night because they dim the lights and the place glows. Each table is decorated with flowers from their garden and mason jar candles that seem to spark the perfect environment for conversation.

Big Bear serves way more than coffee. The food is a reason to visit in and of itself. This is not your Starbucks-microwaved plastic cafe sandwich. The food is so good. Let me say this again. THE FOOD IS SO GOOD. Most of the produce they cook with comes directly from their Sunday farmer’s market so it’s always incredibly fresh and unique. Their menu changes every week, but my personal favorite is their vegetarian chili. Holy crap, it’s delicious and has quite the spicy kick. Just a word of advice: If you go with a friend and you can’t decided between the Tacchino  Marsala or the Vegetarian Chili, have your friend order the chili because if they are anything like Ali, they will wimp out and offer to give you the rest. Works like a charm.

I also hear their beer is really tasty. In a year, I’ll be legally allowed to comment on the quality of their alcoholic beverages, but until then, I’ll just say my friend Liese says they have a good selection of beers from small independent breweries and they make a mean Tom Collins.

My favorite thing about Big Bear, other than the Direct-Trade  Counter Culture Coffee, brick walls, and tasty local food, are the Friday night events. They always have great talent from Blue Grass nights, to poetry readings, to improv nights.  You can always expect a crowd and a good time. Ali and I  often say DC is mostly known as a  city you move to for a job, not  for community. That bums us out and we are dedicated to proving that statement wrong. Big Bear Cafe is a step towards community in DC. It’s full of young, NGO-type people who always seem like they could tell really interesting stories. If your lucky, grab a spot at the big communal table and start a conversation. You never know who you might meet.

Practical tips: Big Bear Cafe is a tucked a way gem. It’s open till 11 weekdays and 12 am on weekends. It’s a great place for homework or  coffee dates with friends. There’s plenty of parking along the street but it’s also metro accessible with the  Red Line New York Ave or Shaw Yellow Line Metro stop a ten minute walk away.  Wi-fi normally works great, but sometimes it’s spotty on busy Saturday mornings. Music is on point, and don’t be surprised if they throw on some MJ.

Stop reading this and jump on the Metro to Big Big Cafe. I promise you won’t regret it.

Love,

Chloe

Hours of Operation

Monday to Thursday – 7am to 11pm

(patio closes at 9pm)

Friday – 7am to 12midnight

(patio closes at 10pm)

Saturday – 7:30am to midnight
(patio closes at 10pm)

The Davenport Coffee Lounge

(Or more commonly known to all American University students as The Dav)

A place that is close to my heart, The Dav is a non-profit student run full blown coffee shop located in the School of International Service building on AU’s main campus.

Students, teachers, or anybody who is around campus somehow find themselves waiting in the long lines at The Dav for one of their specialty drinks like the iced gingerbread latte, organic pastries, or my personal favorite the Oregon Chai. But their specility drinks are more than just gingerbread latte goodness, $1 dollar of your purchase goes to the Scholarships for Burma. The Dav is constantly giving back to the community locally and abroad, as well as keeping our earth clean by disposing everything into compost piles of love! (I know I know, all this seems like a coffee shop utopia) And they even have a mission statement (sooo00000ooo AU, right?).  According to said mission statement, “The students are empowered to learn about service to the community, and the importance of caring and giving back.”  UGH, can I get an AMEN?  This place is just too good.

I must say I have had many enriched conversations about the world, philosophy, and religion on the seats of The Davenport as I sip from one of their eco friendly reusable mugs….. (OK, I mostly just people watch and gossip….)

But I must also say that this coffee shop utopia lacks three major things that put it lower on my list of favorite coffee shops.

ONE: Awkward seating. Yes, they do what they can with their space, and with the new edition of a comfy leather couch (that is ALWAYS taken by a big man who likes to sprawl out like its his living room) the seating has gotten slightly better but the awkward tight quarters is not always conducive to chatting, homework, or spending hours reblogging on Tumblr. That being said, how are we supposed to spend hours reblogging on Tumblr if…

TWO: There are not enough outlets! I cant count how many times I’ve had to leave The Dav to go back to my dorm because my computer was about to die. And the walk ALL the way to my dorm is just a nightmare (can anyone say FIRST WORLD PROBLEM…yeah)

THREE: The music. OK, i get it…it’s a student run coffee shop so whoever the barista is gets to play what music they think is just so worthy. But these baristas must have forgotten that most Dav-goers are pretentious music snobs and cannot stand the music that is being played most of the time. FYI THIS IS A COFFEE SHOP PEOPLE.  Smooth jams and chill beats should be the only thing booming through those speakers. It makes the atmosphere 100 times better when there is a good playlist.  JUST SAYING (not that im a music snob or anything ) Honestly, if I hear Simple Plan or some obnoxious dub step while I’m trying to study ONE MORE TIME, I…probably wont do anything about it (other than rant on a blog). But let’s stay positive here.  At least they stopped playing the GLEE soundrack! That’s progress, right?

Check out their Facebook, WordPress, and twitter!

Practical tips:

It’s open till 8:15 Monday-Thursday and 5 pm on weekends. It’s a great place for homework in the mornings or  meeting friends in between classes. There’s really no parking you don’t have to pay for unless it’s the weekend, so make sure to pay or you’ll get a ticket! (I would know i’ve gotten two this semester already) It is a 15 minute walk from the Tenley Town metro on the Red Line, but if you walk to the corner of 40th street behind Whole Foods you can catch a free AU shuttle. Wi-fi normally is on point. “Its like a chapel, but for caffeine”

If your in the area stop by I will most likely be there, guaranteed.

Hours of Operation

Monday to Thursday – 8am to 8:15pm

Friday – 8am to 5pm 

Saturday to Sunday – 11am to 5pm

Much Love,

Ali