Capitol Hill’s Top 5 Sweet Spots

by Nicole Lisson
- The Capitol Hill Times -

This week is the week to indulge. Mardi Gras, Pancake Tuesday and Valentine’s Day are all holidays that are about the sugar high. So live a little and visit one of the sweet shops I have listed below.

The Confectional
618 Broadway E
A long glass case filled with every imaginable flavor of cheesecake draws your eye as soon as you walk in. The best part is that they are baked in single serving portions.  No more fighting over the last bite! The cheesecakes are made with all natural ingredients and have a thick crust on the bottom. They are dense with a tangy bite from the sour cream. If you are the kind of person who likes to try before they buy, samples are usually available on the counter.

D’Ambrosio Gelato. Nicole Lisson / The Capitol Hill Times

D’Ambrosio Gelato
1542 12th Ave
While the middle of February isn’t ideal Gelato weather, with one lick you will think it’s summer. Creamier then ice cream, gelato has an airy texture that doesn’t make you feel as if you ate your weight in calories. I recommend the Stracciatella (Chocolate and Cream) or the Fichi Caramellanti (Carmel and Figs). The tucked away booths invite you to stay awhile and savor your gelato. There is no need to get back into the cold just yet.

 Cupcake Royale
1111 East Pike Street
When the cupcake craze hit a few years back, there were a lot of subpar cupcake shops opening that were neither worth your money nor your time. However, Cupcake Royale is worth both. They mastered the frosting to cake ratio, which is important. Too much frosting and your base flavor is washed out. Also you can taste the natural ingredients in their cupcakes. Real specks of vanilla bean dot the Vanilla Buttercake while the chocolate cake is rich with Theo Chocolate. The Death Cake Royale is their featured flavor for Valentine’s Day. It is fused with Stumptown espresso and has a pinch of fleur de sel.

Cupcakes from Cupcake Royale. Nicole Lisson / The Capitol Hill Times.

Crumble and Flake
1500 E Olive Way
They are known for their breakfast items like the Smoked Paprika and Cheddar Croissants, which usually sell out by 7 a.m. on Sunday mornings. However, the Macaroons and the Double Brownies are equally as good. For Valentine’s Day, Crumble and Flake has a few specialty sweets for sale. Pink Peppercorn Shortbread is an unconventional twist on a classic while the Black Currant and Violet Macaroons are dare I say? The best macaroon I have ever had. An addictively pungent, almost musky flavor that confuses my taste buds in the best way possible.

Dilettante Mocha Martini Bar
538 Broadway East
A café dedicated to the art of the dessert, Dilettante is where you go when you’re craving chocolate. They’re famous Chocolate Martini’s come in flavors you wouldn’t dream about. Take the Ginger Chocolate Martini, which is Ephemere Truffle Sauce with Yazi Ginger Vodka and more vodka. Not in the mood to get drunk? How ‘bout a thick slice of chocolate cake? There are also hot chocolate and mochas available in varying degrees of chocolate content from extra dark, 72 percent, to milk, 41 percent.