Boozy baking, what's not to love?

Today I received what might just be a life-changing email. A friend sent me an intriguing article about a new cookbook, The Boozy Baker, that is dedicated to one of my favorite things: alcohol laced desserts. I don't think I'll ever be the same.

Because you can't just have one crepe...

Last weekend I checked out Point Chaud, the new crepe place on 14th Street. It's a reasonably priced, unassuming creperie that feels more like a coffee shop than a new hot spot. The wide variety of savory and sweet crepes posed the difficult dilemma: should I do the practical thing and get a savory crepe (it was dinner after all) or go for the taste adventure that a chocolate, banana, and coconut crepe promised? There was only one answer...

I got both.

It was so worth it. The turkey, swiss, and cranberry sauce crepe was very good. (I also tried a friend's spinach, sun dried tomato, and feta crepe, which was even better.) As for the sweet crepe, the picture says it all...

The Chocolate Banana Coconut Crepe

Daily Grind

Visiting my grandma in West Virginia can mean some serious food adventures, usually in the form of her famous cookies and amazing fudge (I would argue the best fudge in the world). When it's too hot to bake, it's fun to explore the local towns, which often have amazing fresh food.

Last weekend, I checked out the Daily Grind, a local coffee shop in Buckhannon.

I tried the summer salad, which was a deliciously fresh combination of chicken salad, spinach, walnuts, strawberries, and red grapes. It came with a very good Balsamic vinaigrette, but it seemed like overkill since the chicken salad made a good dressing.

And for dessert, I stopped by the vintage Dairy Queen just a block away...

Want to disappoint coworkers? Organize a work happy hour at Chart House in Alexandria

Recently, I organized a work happy hour. Given how sunny and nice it's been, most of us wanted to take advantage of the waterfront views at one of the many restaurants. As everyone has been to Georgetown, I suggested the Chart House in Alexandria, which seemed to have a good buzz.

Bad idea.

Our group arrived and placed an order mid-happy hour. First, the server gave me the wrong drink. Then, the kitchen brought out all the orders except one. By the time we flagged down our difficult-to-find server, happy hour was over. At first he said that he couldn't place the order he failed to place earlier because the computers locked out at happy hour, making a big show about getting the order. Ultimately he comped us for the order, but throughout service was inattentive and slow.

Sadly the food and drinks were mediocre and didn't make up for the bad service. This experience would be understandable at the local Red Lobster, but its not what I expected from a nice restaurant. Perhaps their service is better for meals and is only reflective of the bar's happy hour, but I don't think I want to find out.

Funny name, great donut

A friend from work has been raving about the Fractured Prune, so this weekend while in Ocean City, my friends and I checked it out.

The Fractured Prune has fresh, hot cake donuts which they dip in glaze and toppings. It's a brilliant twist on the traditional donut and we were not disappointed.

We tried several...

Banana Nut Bread: banana glaze, cinnamon sugar, peanuts

Banana Coconut: banana glaze, coconut

Banana Graham Cracker: banana glaze, graham cracker

Black Forest: raspberry glaze, coconut, mini chocolate chips

Blueberry Hill: blueberry glaze , powder sugar

French Toast: maple glaze, cinnamon sugar

Lemonade: lemon glaze, granulated sugar

O.C. Sand: honey glaze, cinnamon sugar (so good we got two!)

Reese Cup: peanut butter glaze, mini chocolate chips

Trail Mix: banana glaze, nuts, coconut, chocolate jimmies

Peppermint Oreo: mint glaze, Oreo cookie crumbles

All of the donuts (except the misguided lemonade donut) were phenomenal. The O.C. Sand and Banana Coconut were my favorites for breakfast donuts, but I would pick the Reese Cup donut as the perfect dessert donut. Liz also loved the Banana Coconut, while Kristen's top pick was the Black Forest donut.

Best of all, the Fractured Prune has DC Metro locations in Silver Spring and Rockville!

National Donut Day Deals

Tomorrow is an all too often overlooked holiday, National Donut Day, that celebrates the history of this uniquely American food.

National and local donut hot spots are observing the holiday by offering some great deals:

Birch & Barley is offering a platter of miniature chocolate, lemon-poppy seed and toffee-bacon doughnuts ($5)

Krispy Kreme is offering a free donut to each customer

Dunkin' Donuts is offering a free donut with purchase of a drink

So go get your donuts!