Saturday! Local Farmers Market

It's finally spring and I am anxious to get out and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.  The past two Saturday's I've been up and out early enough to make it to my local farmers market in Falls Church, VA.  It's full of fresh treasures including crepes, donuts, honey, soup and the usual farmers market fare. I've been craving good quality donuts and discovered a donut cart called a Donut Heaven. They serve mini plain donuts to which you can add your own toppings such as sugar, chocolate and sprinkles. They are warm, fresh and delicious. I also purchased sweet potato and kale soup with bits of sausage from Sunnyside Farm and Orchard. It was light, flavorful and nutritious. 

For the Love of Chocolate

Today I visited a chocolate shop called For the Love of Chocolate. It is a chocolate haven located in Carytown in Richmond, Virginia. Where do I begin?  When I first walked in I noticed aisles of chocolate, every type you can imagine. The aisles are organized by country identified by each nation's flag.  It seems like a perfect place to explore a new treat or possibly locate chocolate that you've experienced while traveling abroad. There is a traditional glass display of individual chocolates with fresh baked cookies on the counter, a HUGE variety of cooking extracts and dessert sauces. I was a bit overwhelmed but in a good way since it is chocolate. I managed to select a giant chocolate covered rice crispie treat. I also purchased chocolates from Holland as a gift in flavors such as plain, espresso and tiramisu. 

Honestly, words won't do this place justice, check out the pics below. If you are in Richmond, you must try it out. 

Sweet Spot in Richmond, Virginia

Whenever I'm in a new city I look for a bakery with tasty treats, specifically cupcakes. Even if it's unlikely that I'll make it there, I still feel comforted knowing what the options are and what people are saying about them. I have a gluten allergy so I look for places with good gluten free options. While in Richmond for work, I discovered Pearl's Cupcake Shoppe from Yelp which had great reviews. It's a cute bakery with a boutique feel and a friendly staff. When I inquired about the gluten-free options, I was directed to a case filled with plenty of options. Usually a standard bakery may have one or two gluten-free options, if that, but I was pleasantly surprised and excited to be able to choose from a variety of cupcakes, cookies, pumpkin roll cake and other pastries. I selected the three gluten-free cupcake choices, red velvet, a chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing and a creamy marshmallow topping and a chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing.  I cannot pass up a chocolate chip cookie so I ordered one of those too. The other cookie options were the chocolate crackle cookie and I believe oatmeal raisin.  My items were then packaged and labeled with a sticker that reads "Gluten Free" so there is no confusion. 

I was very impressed with the flavor and texture of these treats. They really tasted like their gluten-filled counterparts. These were not the dry, crumbly, or tough cupcakes I've had at other locations. The chocolate chip cookie did not have an excessive grainy texture that I've experienced so often. Instead, the chocolate cupcakes were moist with a rich chocolate flavor and plenty of icing and the red velvet was great with the signature cream cheese icing. The chocolate chip cookie was exactly what I expect to get from a boutique bakery, a thick, tender cookie with a lot of bite. 

Pearl's Cupcake Shoppe made me forget that was eating gluten-free desserts and I appreciate it! If I lived in Richmond, this would be my happy place. 

Pics are below. Enjoy!