table for two: cheese board

Pairs with Sliver (three Cheese Board alum moved off to start Sliver). Also, unfortunately missed out on the photos ):

I got a chance to hit up Cheese Board with a friend living in North Side, and by that time, I’d probably been recommended it by at least eight different people. The day I went was an heirloom tomato day (with red onion, mozzarella and Prima Donna (15 month aged) Gouda, garlic olive oil, parsley and oregano), and yes. It was awesome pizza. And of course it had the slivers of pizza on top, and of course they were the perfect dessert to the pizza pie. Sure, maybe oil was collecting in puddles on the pizza, but you have to splurge sometimes. Especially if it’s on a great pizza (that you waited 30 minutes in line for).

My dash of salt: Worth the wait, worth the gained weight afterwards. 4.5 out of 5. -S.

Location: Berkeley
Cheese Board Collection
1512 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
Price: $

table for two: juniper and ivy

Finally. I finally got a chance to go to Richard Blais‘ new place in SD. As a massive fan of Top Chef, I think it’ll be a little mission throughout my life to go to at least one Top Chef restaurant …

table for two: co co sala

On a recent trip to DC in May, I got to meet some pretty cool new people, and I dragged a few to Co Co. Sala, a dessert place similar to Max Brenner in Philly and Eclipse in SD. I grabbed a savory bite to eat, and we got to chat and get to know each other over three amazing dessert plates.

mushroom risotto: seasonal mushrooms, carnaroli rice, heirloom tomato, parmesan cheese

chocolate onyx: dark chocolate mousse, vanilla crème brulee, salted caramel, crispy chocolate
pearls, brownie, dark chocolate sorbet, cinnamon toffee bon bon

co co grown up: milk chocolate peanut butter gelato, bananas foster, mini co co. cupcake,
malted shooter

some more coco: chocolate crème brulee, toasted marshmallow, graham crumble, chocolate brownie, chocolate malted shooter

I’m going to make this quick, since these will be the impressions that have held in my mind for about a month.

Mushroom risotto: super delicious, and it had a great mushroom flavor, so as a huge lover of mushroom, I was a big fan.

Chocolate onyx: Not really my favorite; I thought it had a bit of a weird texture to it.

Co Co Grown Up: The chocolate peanut butter gelato is the star of the dish – everything else just kind of seemed to be plopped on there because it’d be cool or something? Bananas foster was mushy, and the malted shooter was an interesting concept….we really just took sips out of it, but maybe I was supposed to consume it a proper way?

Some More Coco: Probably my favorite of the entire group – the graham crumble on the creme brulee added an extra crunch that I really appreciated. Again, though, I was super confused by the malted shooter.

My dash of salt: Chic dessert place for your occasional (frequent) chocolate fix, but don’t underestimate the savory entrees. 3.5 out of 5. -S

Location: Washington, DC
Co Co. Sala
Menu
929 F St NW
Washington, DC 20004
Price: $$

 

 

table for two: smitten

On a hot, sweltering day about a month ago, I decided to take the bus down to Smitten: a parlor that makes ICE CREAM ON DEMAND. The smoothest, creamiest, best textured ice cream I have ever tasted is made with …

table for two: carina tea & waffles

I probably won’t say much because I’m thinking that Carina Tea & Waffles might deserve another chance…but I had such high hopes (and probably high expectations) when I heard that a new waffle place was opening on campus. SoCal is …

table for two: summer kitchen + bake shop (part II)

So of course I had to revisit Summer Kitchen + Bake Shop after my last venture into the restaurant resulted in a missed opportunity to try their pretty, little cupcakes. Out of the three that were on display, I selected …

table for two: buddakan

I’ve been talking and raving about Buddakan ever since the very beginning of freshman year, so much so that my roommates thought that I had already been multiple times when I told them that I was finally getting the chance …

table for two: summer kitchen + bake shop

I think brunch has to be one of my favorite meals. I never wake up early enough for breakfast anyway, so Saturday morning, I ventured out into Elmwood to try Summer Kitchen + Bake Shop. The restaurant/cafe itself is reminiscent …

table for two: sprinkles ice cream

Almost every single time I’m in Irvine, I end up at Sprinkles Ice Cream in Newport Beach, right next to a Sprinkles Cupcake and awkwardly located Joseph’s Jewelers in the middle. Of course, there’s always a line, and there are …

table for two: max brenner

I feel like wherever you are, there’s always a popular, eccentric restaurant that features chocolate in savory entree dishes. For San Diego specifically, it’s Eclipse. For the Mid-Atlantic, it’s Max Brenner. So, of course, for the ever-important Big-Little reveal dinner for …