Breakfast

Breakfast / Restaurants — No Comments
30
Nov 09

Doughnut Monday: Sip and Dip

Sip and Dip 2

On route 114 in Bristol, RI lies the collegiate mecca for doughnuts and coffee: Sip and Dip. Sip and Dip is a chain exclusive to the Ocean State, and serves the most unbelievable flavored coffees, like chocolate coconut and blueberry cobbler (which you may not expect to be good, but will shock and amaze you). Their doughnuts are divine: light, fresh, and appropriately sugary. Residents of the RI like their coffee light and sweet, so unless you specify your kinds of milk and sweeteners, expect a light and sweet that will knock your socks off. I’m a skim-milk-only type of gal, and I really enjoyed the L&T (this warning comes from experience!)

Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate Sprinkles, and Honey Dipped with Blueberry Cobbler Coffee

Pumpkin Spice, Chocolate Sprinkles, and Honey Dipped with Blueberry Cobbler Coffee

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Breakfast / cake / Recipes — 1 Comment
16
Nov 09

I am not a Birthday Cake

I am not a birthday cake 2

This weekend was Nate’s birthday, and he’s not the biggest fan of cake. Nate is, however, in love with George’s Doughnuts. And while I was trying to figure out what kind of birthday cake I should make for him this year, I had an epiphany: A Monkey-Bread-style cake made out of doughnuts from George’s. This is how it happened:

I am not a birthday cake 4

Accomplice 1 (Nate’s Mom) acquired 2 dozen doughnuts from George’s (she pre-ordered them, because they usually sell out by 9am). We used all different kinds of doughnuts, so in any given slice you could have jelly, cream-filled, glazed, cake doughnuts, sprinkles, etc.Using a greased bundt pan, a little home-made glaze (powdered sugar, water, and a hint of vanilla) we chopped up the doughnuts into fours, and then started placing them into the pan, sealing each layer with a little glaze.

I am not a birthday cake 3

The final layer was topped off with a layer of glaze to seal it all in. We then baked the whole thing at 350°F for 5 minutes, just enough time to melt the glaze and have the whole thing meld together. After it came out of the oven, it sat for only a few seconds (we didn’t want it to stick to the pan) and then we inverted it onto a cake plate. After a bit of hand molding to ensure that it wouldn’t fall apart, the cake was ready for candles. We used all different kinds of doughnuts, so in any given slice you could have jelly, cream-filled, glazed, cake doughnuts, sprinkles, etc. We also added a few extra sprinkles, for a bit of birthday flair.

I am not a birthday cake 1

Score for LVKakes.

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Around NY / Bakery / Breakfast / Food — 1 Comment
1
Nov 09

Sugary, Industrial, Morning Bliss

Doughnut Plant

Good Morning, (or in my case, Evening) Sugar High!

I received my first Doughnut Plant doughnut about four weeks ago when they were brought to me in a simple, industrially reminiscent box with a bow of kitchen string tied around. The box is simple and is not made to impress with it’s good looks or withstand extreme conditions. It has a singular purpose: to deliver sugary breakfast pastry.

My favorites so far have been the Trés Leches (with a sweet, creamy filling) the Carrot Cake (with a cream cheese filling, that happens to be my very picky father’s favorite) and the Pumpkin Cake. I am not normally a cake doughnut kind of person, but the crispy outer glazes and moist light cake inside make these irresistible. The yeast doughnuts have a very different character to them. First, they are very, very large. While the variety of flavors is impressive (coconut creme with coconut filling, chunky peanut butter icing with raspberry jelly, pumpkin, etc) they are overall a bit too sweet and sugary for my sensitive teeth. The taste is great, but I can only eat about a quarter of the whole doughnut. Although the glazes tend to be too heavy on the sugar, the dough itself is light and chewy.

One of the best flavors available is the crème brulée. It is a smaller doughnut with rich creamy filling and a crispy burnt sugar topping. They are best eaten right in the shop, as they are not nearly as much of an experience the next day. If you are only buying one doughnut, everyone recommends trying this one in particular.

Although I’m not sure you could go wrong with any choice at Doughnut Plant. The exceptionally helpful staff will be sure to steer you in the right direction based on mood.

Doughnut Plant Doughnuts best paired with: a bottle of the local milk they sell in-store.

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Around DC / Breakfast / Food / Restaurants — 1 Comment
12
May 09

Decadent Breakfast

bread-chocolate-banana-chocolate-french-toast

I begrudgingly woke up Sunday morning after five hours of sleep to a beautiful morning. What was even better was the prospect of a delicious breakfast from Bread & Chocolate, a small restaurant by 23rd and M streets. When we finally arrived and found a parking space, one look at the menu and I was completely at a loss. I wanted to order everything they offer for breakfast. Four or five types of french toast, omelets, eggs benedict (my FAVORITE) and regular egg dishes and more. 

The ambiance at Bread & Chocolate is European in it’s simplicity and attentive yet relaxed service. Their cafe list is impressive, and in addition to the food served at the restaurant, Bread & Chocolate also has a bakery counter where foods can be purchased to bring home. 

Because neither of us could decide on eggs or french toast, my roommate and I decided we would get one of each and split them. I ordered the Spinach and Goat Cheese Omelet and my roommate ordered the Chocolate and Banana French Toast. 

bread-chocolate-omletteThe food came out to us piping hot. The eggs in my omelet were not the best that I had ever had; they were a bit dry, but still fluffy. The spinach and goat cheese were delicious in the dish, but the cooks put all of the spinach and goat cheese in the middle of the omelet, so you had to eat your way in to get to the good stuff. 

The chocolate and banana french toast was made with cinnamon challah bread, fresh banana slices and dark chocolate ganache drizzled on top. It was heavenly. The bavarian cream on the side was good, but it was a bit rich for me for breakfast. 

At the end of the meal, I felt pleasantly full, and ready for a nap. I was surprised that the meal did not sit heavier in my stomach, but it was the perfect fuel-up breakfast, as well as a fantastic pre-nap meal. The prices were a little high, and it is not a place that I would trek to often. However I’m glad that I went, and I would recommend it as a place to go for breakfast, but only if you have someone who you can share food with, or you can easily choose between sweet and savory breakfasts.

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