Japan Visit - Mister Donut

Of course a visit to Mister Donut was on the Must list during my trip to Japan!  It's always so delicious, and they have a good selection of seasonal items pretty frequently so there's always something new to try.

It being the end of September, fall and Halloween doughnuts were in full force in the shop that I went to - there were so many fun flavors to choose from! 

We wound up getting a chestnut marron cream doughnut, plain Pon de Lion, brown Pon de Lion, and a chestnut Pon de Lion.  If you ever find yourself at a Mister Donut in Japan or other Asian country, you must try a Pon de Lion- the little doughnut holes have mochi in them, which make them extra chewy and super tasty!  I also loved the fall-only chestnut doughnuts - not too sweet, with a deep chestnut flavor throughout.

In addition to the delicious doughnuts, there was one VERY important reason for the Mister Donut visit - right before I went to Japan, they started a promotion for these super fun Hello Kitty collaboration curry plates, with a number of purchases on a point card.  Of course I had to get one since it was still going on while I was there, and I'm so happy I was able to get the design I wanted.  As you can see, it was a very tasty and worthwhile trip to Mister Donut! 

Review: Hank's Oyster Bar, Round 2

After being DENIED at Hello Cupcake, we figured we'd make the most of coming out to Dupont and go to dinner at Hank's Oyster Bar. Quite the derailment of plans, considering all I was planning on was a free cupcake, but hey, it was close and not crowded, count me in.

Grilled Baby Octopus, Sliced Baby Potatoes

We started with one of the daily small plate specials, grilled baby octopus with sliced baby potatoes. I thought the octopi were decent, charred well, had a nice chew without being like a piece of old Bubble-yum (not a fan of too-chewy octopi). The potatoes were undercooked so I didn't eat them after the first bite.

Fried Oyster Platter, Coleslaw, Fries

For my entree: A Monstrosity of fried-ness. I love oysters, but I definitely didn't think this one through well enough. Eating 2 or 3 fried oysters is one thing, but having a GIANT plate of them is another. Also, it's not like taking them home would be that great since they are fried. Tasted great, but I wouldn't get this again unless I was with 4 other people that all loved fried oysters and wanted to split this, haha. The coleslaw (which you can't even see under the oysters at the top of the photo haha), was really good, vinegar-based, not mayo-based.

Fish Tacos

T got another daily special, the fish tacos, which came in what I believe is the Wal-mart silver letter holder/organizer... why do I say this? Because I had the EXACT same one in college, haha. It was a cute presentation though, and really good for holding the tacos intact. The fish tacos came with fresh salsa, avocado, and crema.

Finished off the meal with complimentary chocolate pieces, it was overall a tasty meal that made me feel less angry about traveling to Dupont to be denied a free cupcake.

Hello Cupcake Free Cupcake Day- FAIL

So, yesterday was Hello Cupcake's 1-year anniversary. Seeing as I was there, waiting in line on their opening day, I figured I'd go full circle and go for their 1st anniversary. Also, FREE CUPCAKES!

I arrived a little before 6pm to Dupont Circle, hustling over to the store... and then..

"Thank you for making our 1st birthday so successful! We gave away 2,500 cupcakes and are out for the day. We will have fresh cupcakes tomorrow at 10am!"

EPIC FAIL.

All things considered, I guess I shouldn't have been too surprised that they ran out (I don't even know when they did exactly, since the store was closed up and dark by the time I got there, not even in the midst of closing up or anything). Also, I wasn't the only one thinking they'd still have cupcakes left- no less than 10 other people showed up, saw the sign, sighed, complained, and walked on.

Hopefully your 2nd anniversary falls on a not-work-day, Hello Cupcake.