On Friday morning we awoke to the sound of trumpets, National Macaron Day had arrived. Fully celebrated in NYC, it hasn’t quite caught on in the District, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find the delectable treats around our city. Not sure what a macaron is? Or confused about the difference between macarons and macaroons? There’s no need to be ashamed.
A macaron quite simply is another invention the French created to keep our waistlines a bit snug. The meringue-like dessert is filled with yumminess such as fruit jams, buttercream, or caramel to name a few. So delicate that if you press too hard with your fingers it will crumble in your hand. However a macaroon is completely different, and although we’d like to explain, The Hungry Muse Jennie Tai does a much better job. We couldn’t decide where to go, so we checked out three places:
The flavors here are classic but executed perfectly. Signatures include almond, salted caramel, and vanilla. As most places, their flavor profile changes daily; however, we’ve had these babies a few times now and we are so in love with the salted caramel. Olivia Macaron, 3222 M St NW, Washington, DC 20007.
Although they moved to a new location, the quaint shop now located on Prospect St., reminds us of lace and doilies. Most of the macarons were snagged by the time we arrived but we did manage to grab a champagne flavored one. The meringue is airy as it is supposed to be which suited us just fine. Macaron Bee, 3261 Prospect St NW, Washington, DC 20007.
Across town, over in Capitol Hill is Food Network’s Cupcake Wars winner The Sweet Lobby. In the last week, we’ve been there twice. Why? For their Hazelnut Praline and Pistachio macarons. Creative in flavors, the shop does a wonderful job of keeping your taste buds intrigued during the entire experience. The Sweet Lobby, 404 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003.
Our flavor profile included: Champagne, Pistachio, Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, & Cherry Blossom. What’s your favorite place? What’s your go-to flavor? We’re still on the hunt for more macarons.
Photo courtesy The Sweet Lobby
Jai is a culinary/travel photographer, author whose photography has been seen in publications such as Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Munchies (VICE), and Ad Week. Jai has been with GMF since 2014 is the former GMF Editor-in-Chief. She has photographed for both domestic and international tourism boards. Additionally, her work was selected as a semi-finalist in competitions such as Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s RAMMYs in Focus, and The Historical Society of D.C.’s For the Record. Contributing her photography to books like New York One-Food Wonders and Discovering Vintage Washington, DC, Jai’s creative spirit focuses on the food, beverage, and travel industries. Co-authoring Plantations of Virginia with six-time New York Press Club award winner Charlene C. Giannetti, their book is currently in its third printing within a year of being released. Jai enjoys collaborating with her clients to bring their vision to life.