Lunchtime Links for June 27th, 2019

• Crazy for Crust: 4th of July M&M cookies.
• The Kitchn: Homemade hummus. 
• Apartment Therapy: Netflix updates in July.
• The Impulsive Buy: Dunkin' Hershey's candy coffee flavors.
• Creme de la Crumb: Banana bars with cream cheese frosting.

Lunchtime Links for June 26th, 2019

• Joy the Baker: Veggie egg roll noodle bowls.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Cauliflower rice recipes. 
• How Sweet Eats: Firecracker confetti cupcakes. 
• Bake at 350: 5 ways to use frozen bread dough.
• Damn Delicious: Vegetable spring rolls with peanut sauce.

Georgetown Cupcake - Cookies and Creme Birthday Fudge + Toffee Crunch Cheesecake

I love Georgetown Cupcake's cheesecake flavors, so I am always happy to see a new flavor that incorporates a delicious cheesecake base!  The Toffee Crunch Cheesecake consists of a "Toffee cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, topped with a toffee-infused frosting and crushed toffee pieces".  I didn't totally get a lot of toffee from the cheesecake, but the frosting and topping was plenty of toffee flavor and crunch for me, haha.  The cheesecake itself is very rich and creamy - if you haven't tried their cheesecakes before I highly recommend them.

I also got the Cookies and Creme Birthday Fudge cupcake because it looks so fun, haha. This cupcake consists of a "Cookies & crème cupcake cored and filled with fudge, topped with a baby blue cookies & crème buttercream, fudge star drizzle, and rainbow jimmies".  I've had this cupcake before, and it's a great twist on a cookies and creme cupcake.  It's like a birthday cake with Oreos added - delicious! 

Lunchtime Links for June 25th, 2019

• Table for Two: Bangin' mac and cheese.
• Oh Sweet Basil: Biscoff cookie butter ice cream.
• Love and Lemons: Homemade pizza.
• Handle the Heat: Peanut butter stuffed brownies.
• Seasons and Supper: Lemon garlic potato salad.

Lunchtime Links for June 24th, 2019

• Seasons and Suppers: Rustic strawberry shortcake cake.
• How Sweet Eats: Smashed cucumber salad with sesame. 
• Two Peas and Their Pod: One bowl brownies.
• Creme de la Crumb: Creamy Tuscan Parmesan chicken.
• Cookies and Cups: Edible cookie dough.

Fogo de Chão Grand Opening Dinner + 10 Year Blogiversary

I just noticed that this past weekend marks 10 years since I started this little blog!  It's been a fun 10 years of a LOT of food and shopping, haha.

While not actually related, I was invited to check out the Fogo de Chão in Pike and Rose for a grand opening dinner before they officially open today, so it was a great way to "celebrate" with a delicious night of food!

The night started off with a lively cocktail hour with passed appetizers.  It was also a good chance for my friend L and I to walk around the space, especially to take in the huge Market Table's offerings.  After the ribbon cutting ceremony, we were seated for a full dinner experience.  While it was very tempting to try everything at the Market Table, I knew I had to save room for ALL the meat that would come around to our table at a seemingly never ending pace, haha.  Everything that we had was delicious, but I have to say that the featured Picanha steak and the lamb chops that came around were my favorites - so tender and flavorful!  But even if you're not a total meat lover, there's plenty at the Market Table to enjoy, and I want to try their lunch/brunch sometime soon so I can have more of their non-meat dishes.  Also, don't forget about dessert - The Tres Leches cake and Chocolate Mousse cake that we had were really good, and I would go to the restaurant just for drinks and that Tres Leches cake any day.  A big thank you and welcome to the neighborhood Fogo de Chão, and I look forward to trying out more of your dishes soon!

 

 

Sparkling wine before dinner

Some meat appetizers before the meat dinner, haha

 

Love this wine wall that separates the large dining areas

 

Just a small segment of the huge Market Table - lots of fresh and tasty dishes 

 

Something I wouldn't have really thought to try until a server recommended it - the Feijoada bar with a great bean stew, rice, and toppings

 

The bartenders were super busy all night with this crowd :)

 

I had some of this bacon during the reception - so good!

Side dishes were brought out first - Caramelized bananas, Polenta, Pão de Queijo (yuca flour and cheese rolls- SO good), and Garlic mashed potatoes

So many yummy cuts of meat! It was hard to keep track of what we were eating after a while because different options kept coming continuously and we didn't want to miss out on anything

Make sure you leave some room for dessert - especially the awesome Tres Leches cake! 

Note: I was invited to the grand opening dinner, but was not paid for this post.

Fogo de Chão - Pike & Rose

11600 Old Georgetown Road

North Bethesda, MD 20852

301.841.9200

Lunchtime Links for June 21st, 2019

• Kirbie's Cravings: Beef and broccoli rice meal prep.
• The Impulsive Buy: Limited edition Marshmallow Moon Oreos.
• Creme de la Crumb: Grilled pork tenderloin.
• The Kitchn: Cobb salad.
• Averie Cooks: Oreo brownie Lush.

Lunchtime Links for June 20th, 2019

• I Heart Naptime: Fry bread.
• Damn Delicious: Baked strawberries and cream French toast.
• The Kitchn: No-oven dinner recipes.
• Handle the Heat: Soft butter rolls.
• Japan Info: Doughnut shops in Japan.

Lunchtime Links for June 19th, 2019

• Serious Eats: XO mazemen.
• Dessert for Two: Ground beef for tacos.
• Cookies and Cups: Peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.
• The Kitchn: Cheesy skillet chicken Parmesan meatballs. 
• Crazy for Crust: Corn salad.

Jinya Pike and Rose - Karaage Chicken Ramen

Mmm, two of my favorite foods in one - ramen and chicken Karaage!  Karaage is a style of frying in Japan, usually with chicken, and is definitely the highlight of this bowl of ramen at Jinya Ramen Bar.  The boneless fried chicken pieces have a rich chili sauce coating them, which adds even more flavor to the broth.  Rounding out the toppings is a seasoned egg, bamboo shoots, green onion, and nori seaweed. 

This special is available at Jinya Ramen Bar locations from now through the end of November, so be sure to try it out while it's on the menu!

Lunchtime Links for June 18th, 2019

• Kirbie's Cravings: Avocado recipes.
• The First Year Blog: Mini cheesecakes with Reese's peanut butter cup bottom.
• Seasons and Suppers: Soft pretzels with beer cheese. 
• Creme de la Crumb: Beef noodle stir fry.
• The Kitchn: Chicken Satay with peanut sauce.

Lunchtime Links for June 17th, 2019

• The Kitchn: Cold noodle bowl recipes.
• My Baking Addiction: Toasted hazelnut s'mores. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Crispy sesame tofu. 
• The Cozy Apron: Chocolate banana bread.
• Table for Two: Poblano Mexican street corn off the cob.

Commonwealth Indian Pike & Rose - Yellow Crab Curry

I recently went to Commonwealth Indian, which opened recently in Pike & Rose.  If any locals remember the old La Madeleine spot, this is what finally took its place.  They did a really nice job completely transforming it though, and you wouldn't think it was the same restaurant space at all.  I knew for my first visit I had to try the Yellow Crab Curry entree, which I've seen lots of good reviews for since they opened.

 

The Yellow Crab Curry consists of "Maryland jumbo crab lumps, lightly simmered in turmeric, coconut milk, red chili and royal cumin".  All of the entrees came with a small salad, rice, yogurt sauce, and little Papadums.  We also ordered a side of the Rosemary Naan because I can't resist some extra carbs, haha.

As you can see the crab curry has big chunks of lump crab, and it was delicious to the last spoonful!  You can request varying spice levels when you order - this one was Medium spice, which had a tiny kick and was the perfect punch of flavor for me.  I can definitely see why people have been raving about this dish.  If you like crab dishes, you should not miss out on ordering this menu item!


Commonwealth Indian
11610 Old Georgetown Road 
North Bethesda, MD 20852
240.833.3055

Lunchtime Links for June 14th, 2019

• My Baking Addiction: Tiramisu brownies.
• The Kitchn: 10 minute chopped Thai Satay salad.
• Cookies and Cups: No bake cheesecake. 
• Handle the Heat: Red velvet ice cream sandwiches.
• Weelicious: Doughnut wall.

Lunchtime Links for June 13th, 2019

• Averie Cooks: Grilled corn and avocado salad.
• Crazy for Crust: Fireworks Funfetti cupcakes.
• A Spicy Perspective: Korean chicken skewers.
• Handle the Heat: Red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting.
• Cookies and Cups: Creamy garlic chicken.

Lunchtime Links for June 12th, 2019

• Smitten Kitchen: Chocolate Budino.
• Creme de la Crumb: Shrimp Pad Thai with peanut sauce. 
• The Cozy Apron: Breakfast potatoes.
• Crazy for Crust: 4th of July chocolate chip cookies.
• Damn Delicious: Chicken Satay with peanut sauce.

Fogo de Chão Pike & Rose Tour

Last night I was offered the chance to take a look inside the new Fogo de Chão at Pike & Rose, which is scheduled to open in just a few weeks on June 24th.  I can't believe that this corner of Pike & Rose used to be a City Sports and later a Nike outlet store, it looks completely different!  It was a great chance to see how they've transformed the space, with lots of thought put into large and small table groupings, as well as a separate private dining area.  Here's a small tour in photos of the new space:

Outdoor patio dining area

Sleek and bright bar area - perfect for happy hour or drinks while waiting for a table - with plenty of outlets and bag hooks under the counter, always a nice touch!

I really like how bright and open the restaurant feels, and the unique light fixtures for different areas of the restaurant.  These pretty flower arrangements are above the Market Table.

I also love the dark blue tiles that surround the open kitchen area, where you will be able to see lots of meat being cooked.

A giant wall sculpture of O Laçador adorns every restaurant!  This is the story behind the sculpture for a bit of background.

Current menus for the Pike & Rose location - lots of options for dinner, brunch, and lunch! 

Fogo de Chão - Pike & Rose

11600 Old Georgetown Road

North Bethesda, MD 20852

301.841.9200

Lunchtime Links for June 11th, 2019

• Creme de la Crumb: Crispy honey garlic chicken.
• Damn Delicious: Grilled corn with cilantro lime butter. 
• How Sweet Eats: 2019 Rose guide.
• The Kitchn: Garlic Parmesan monkey bread.
• I Heart Naptime: Kalua pork.

Lunchtime Links for June 10th, 2019

• I Heart Naptime: Pita bread.
• Bake at 350: Copycat Doubletree cookies.
• Creme de la Crumb: One pot creamy Pesto chicken pasta.
• Serious Eats: No churn chocolate ice cream.
• The Live-In Kitchen: Oven baked potato wedges.

Sunday Morning Bakehouse - Apple Almond Crumble Toast

I had to snap this photo quickly so it's not great, but I had to write about this delicious toast from Sunday Morning Bakehouse that I had over Memorial Day weekend!

After trying the strawberry toast over Mother's Day weekend, I was very happy to see a new flavor out at the market.  I shared this with my friends on our overnight trip to VA, and we really enjoyed the combination of the thin apple slices and crunchy crumble topping.  The whole toast could've been covered in the buttery crumble and we would've been happy, haha.  The thick croissant toast was a delicious and sturdy base for everything on top.  I'm glad I had a chance to try out this new toast flavor!

Lunchtime Links for June 4th, 2019

• Creme de la Crumb: One pot Lasagna.
• Serious Eats: Crab recipes.
• The Kitchn: Stuffed shells.
• Averie Cooks: Layered beef taco salad.
• My Baking Addiction: Honey soy chicken.

Lunchtime Links for June 3rd, 2019

• Serious Eats: Nutella from scratch.
• I Heart Naptime: Peanut butter banana smoothie. 
• A Spicy Perspective: Spicy cowboy bacon burgers.
• Bake at 350: Chocolate hazelnut caramel ice cream pie.
• Love and Lemons: Pico de Gallo.

Bucknell University - 15 Year Reunion

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  I got to spend some time back at Bucknell University in PA for my 15-year college reunion, which was a lot of fun!  It was great catching up with friends and enjoying our time on campus - especially with so many updates and new buildings since we had been there even for the last reunion.  Of course I also had to get a new mug (the dark grey one in the photo below) and the "new" logo waffle maker in the cafeteria, haha.  I'm already looking forward to the next chance to get back there with friends!