Red Velvet Cupcakery

Location: Red Velvet Cupcakery 501 7^th Street NW (Chinatown)

Flavors: Coconut, Lemon Coconut & Vanilla
Cost: $3.50
Score: 1.5


After an awesome happy hour at Zola’s, my buddy and I walked around Chinatown looking for something to get into. I expressed my desire for cupcakes and they suggested Red Velvet Cupcakery. Located right off the Chinatown metro their location is ideal.
Walking into the tiny shop we were greeted by the person at the register and, I assume, the manager. Their customer service was great and the cupcakes are a decent size. I noticed that there were alot of exotic flavors but I ordered a variation of my usual: lemon-coconut, coconut (redundant, I know) and vanilla. All placed in a cutie-pie bag (that now doubles as my lunch bag), I was eager to tear into the much talked about cupcakes.

Sadly the cupcakes sucked! My vanilla and lemon-coconut cupcakes were decent but not crave- worthy. The plain coconut cupcake tasted like lard infested frosting playing host to huge sugar granules. Ironically, I didn’t try their namesake red velvet cupcake but if my chosen cupcakes were any indication- I wasn't wrong in my decision.

*Originally Published June 2011

Georgetown Cupcakes (Bethesda)

Location: Georgetown Cupcake 4834 Bethesda Avenue Bethesda, MD

Flavors: Choco-coconut, Vanilla, Carrot Cake, Chocolate, & Key-lime.

Cost: $2.75
Score: 4.5

Photo courtesy of Georgetown Cupcake

Driving into downtown Bethesda for a movie premier, I decided to surprise the guest of honor with a treat from Georgetown Cupcakes. Due to anemic parking options, I reluctantly parked 4 blocks away from the store. Although metro accessible (via Bethesda metro station), be prepared for a walk of about 5 blocks+ to arrive at the downtown Bethesda store. After walking on cobblestone streets in 6-inch heels, I wasn’t happy to stand for another 30 minutes to place my order.

The famous G-town Cupcake Bag

Found only in their namesake of Georgetown (and now Bethesda), the popular cupcakery is also known for their long wait times and lines. Once inside the tiny shop, I was very impressed with the staff’s fast & efficient assembly line approach. The pink and white décor gave me a feeling of serenity and sterility which is important when you require money for food.

L-R:Vanilla, Chocolate, Carrot Cake, Choco-coconut and key lime

Their signature vanilla cupcake was rich with a delicious frosting reminiscent of my grandmother’s baked goods. The choco-coconut cupcake was decent but the chocolate & white cupcake was more than laudable in the war on cupcakes. The decadent cream cheese frosting made the carrot cupcake a close second but it was the key lime cupcake that stole the show.

Walking out I felt like a hunter who had stalked and claimed their prey. The price and size of the cupcakes was perfect at $2.75. Although I wasn’t thrilled with the scarcity of parking or the long lines, the cupcakes themselves did not disappoint (nor live up to the hype).

*Originally published in April 2011