Adventures in Cupcaketopia, part I

I've just recently realized that I am apparently living not just in the Capital of the United States, but in the Cupcake Capital of the United States.

Hello Cupcake was the site of my first innocent foray into Cupcaketopia. It's pretty good, though the frosting is overpowering for me. They have plenty of variety and also sell single cupcake lunchboxes, in case you have to get your cupcake on the on go. Since they are based in Dupont Circle which is home to a lot of offices, this actually isn't a ridiculous idea.

Now, I thought that Hello Cupcake was a unique individual here in DC - but then I found lovecafe. lovecafe is the cupcake step-child of Cakelove bakery, and the two are situated directly across the street from one another on U St. The atmosphere is cozier than Hello Cupcake, with low ceilings and a windey little seating area. There isn't as much variety here as there is at Hello Cupcake, and the 'cakes won't fit inside your to-go lunchbox, but - and I'll just be frank about it - the cupcakes are better. The frosting is creamy and thick, but proportionally prefect to the moist mini-cakes that it decorates. I feel a little traitorous because Hello Cupcake was what first lead me on this Cupcake Adventure, but what is the point of traveling if not to learn?

Today I'm going to visit Georgetown Cupcake, which, surprise, is in Georgetown. This cupcakery made national news when they were featured on the Today Show and my mom has been prodding me to check it out ever since. Look forward to its review, as well as reviews of Red Velvet Cupcakery (in Penn Quarter) and Lavender Moon Cupcakery (Alexandria) as Adventures in Cupcaketopia continues.

**In the on-going debate about cake vs. ice cream, it should be noted that I will always choose ice cream, hands down, and that the best place to get it in D.C. is Gifford's near E Street Cinema. So if you don't have time to explore Cupcaketopia, skip it and go to Gifford's for the $2 special.