04 Sep 2014

Dining:

Your After-School Treat Guide

Photo by María Helena Carey on Instagram

Photo by María Helena Carey on Instagram

I cannot lie: back-to school time is my favorite time of year. There was a time when it didn’t quite use to be as exciting: I was the unfortunate child who had to deal with a birthday on or around the first day of school, and my elementary school was large and stodgy and they didn’t allow homey, sweet things like cupcakes on your birthday (I also didn’t like school, so it was a compounded insult/injury type of scenario).

Fast-forward to the part where I love school because childcare. Not only is it a true fortune to have (mostly) free schooling that is good here on the Hill, but also to have the fortune to be in a parent cohort that cares so much for the rising generation. Maybe in twenty years we will all be made painfully aware of the ways in which we all failed these kids, but for now it seems like Capitol Hill is an idyllic place to raise a child.

The most idyllic part of that idyll? The after-school treat. Those of you who have made it to this paragraph without frowning or gagging may be tempted to slam shut your computers but you guys: #YOLO. Childhood and childhood metabolisms last but a precious few years, and the Hill is teeming with all sorts of delicious things you can give to your child once you pick him or her (or them!) up from school. Here is a round-up of some of my favorite spots to drag my two little hellions. I highly encourage you all to explore your own and make some memories: all of the Hill is yours for the taking.

1. Your corner store

I start at this most basic of places for two reasons: a) we have some pretty amazing corner stores on the Hill, with excellent selections of gourmet items and fancy chocolates. And b), because even if you may think that a corner store is just a tiny, cramped store, I can assure you that a young child will find a precious treasure in a back aisle (that treasure is probably Oreos, btw, same as the clue in your NYT crossword). Here are a few corner stores to get you going:

  • Capitol Hill Supermarket: 241 Massachusetts Avenue NE,
  • Capitol Supreme Market: 501 4th Street SE
  • Mott’s Market: 233 12th St SE (Bonus: a Lost Capitol Hill on Mott’s Market, so you can make your visit extra spooky)
  • Adams Market: 700 F Street NE

2. Eastern Market

Well, OF COURSE Eastern Market. When school lets out, the market is calm enough to let your rambunctious little miscreants run around. It’s a great place to pick up dinner ingredients, and both the Calomiris stand and the Capitol Hill Produce folks are kind to children, allowing them to understad the food acquisition process and its particulars early (and in the case of the Calomiris, giving a sweet little token of appreciation every time you go). Just last week, while waiting in line at the Fine Sweet Shoppe for some rainbow sherbet, my older son picked out a couple of magnificent artichokes for dinner with the help of one of the ladies at Cap Hill Produce. This Californian-at-heart may have shed a few tears of joy.

It’s also my duty to inform you that the Fine Sweet Shoppe will also make you soda floats and milkshakes, just in case their bakery offerings are not up to your specialized standards (But whatever. More for the rest of us.)

 3. The Pretzel Bakery

Show me a child who won’t eat a pretzel and I will tell you he or she is 1. gluten-intolerant or 2. the pickiest child in the world. Ever since it opened back in 2012, the Pretzel Bakery, 340 15th St SE, has been one of the neighborhood’s favorite go-to spots for delicious, carb-laden snack. Fun fact: once, Jon Penndorf and I fought for this mayorship on Forsquare, back when the application was not a hollowed-out shell of its former self. Jon won. I may still have trouble forgiving that.

4. Curbside Café

Because cupcakes and pop tarts and oh my! Curbside Cupcakes goes everywhere there is a mobile-vendor-friendly curb. If you can’t catch them around town, they’ve thrown down roots of deliciousness, specifically at 257 15th Street SE. Warning: their physical proximity to the Pretzel Bakery may be dangerous to your health.

5. Union Market

We know a few of our readers would not approve of this outright appropriation but dear lord! Telling me not to write about Union Market as an after-school haven is like asking the sun not to shine because you have sensitive skin! Not only is the place happily stimulating and, as with Eastern Market, allows the kids to have their first experiences in grocery-shopping from people who know food, but! A list!

  • Buffalo and Bergen: ICE-CREAM FLOATS AND SODAS! Some of their flavors are a little sophisticated, but every time we go, the lovely people behind the counter are willing to mix a lemon-lime thing of beauty for the kids. But you know, if they want a bagel with schmear, I hear they can handle that one too.
  • Trickling Springs Creamery: In one word? Majestic. The ice cream texture is silky and soft, but has a great firmness to it as well. Their flavors range from an on-point vanilla that is pleasantly gritty on account of all the tiny seeds, to a pineapple full of frozen delicious chunks of bromeliad wonder. Oh yeah– they also sell milk.
  • Curbside Cupcakes: DANGER AHEAD
  • Co Co Sala: This one is for the adults. As we say in Spanish, “Honey was not meant for the donkey’s mouth.” (Did I just call your child a donkey? Yeah probably. I mean, I could have also used the word “ass.”)
  • Peregrine: If you’re stuck with teenagers who are already developing obnoxious tastes and even more progressive views than yours, get them some caffeine. Although I have to wonder how cool you are, if your teenagers still let you hang out. (We should hang out.)
  • Righteous Cheese: There’s always the weirdo kid who likes salty treats. Here, kid: cheese. (We all secretly think the kid who likes the salty treats is cooler, by the way.)

6. The Railway Deli

Calling this place a deli is generous, by most stretches of the imagination, although it is well-stocked and pretty tasting for what it is. It’s a tiny room located within the Amtrak offices at 900 I Street NE, and it happens to be close to an observation platform. If you have a train enthusiast, this is the place for you. Just make sure you bring work to do, because you’re not going to be leaving in 10 minutes.

  • 7. Union Station

You get to park for a whole hour for just a couple of dollars. This gives you access to an overwhelming array of treats. Below, a few of my favorites:

  • Johnny Rockets: a step above regular fast food, you can also belt out some oldies while you wait for your food. (Food arcade level.)
  • Haagen-Dazs: Do I have to rationalize this one for you? (Food arcade level.)
  • Fantom Comics: It’s never too early to turn your kid into a comic book geek, and not all treats have to be food. (Mezzanine, east wing).
  • Neuhaus Chocolatier: Pricey, but delicious. See earlier comment regarding honey and donkey’s mouth.
  • Jamba Juice: Aaah….. refreshing. (East of the ticket counters.)

Well, that was a mouthful. Literally. Did I miss your favorite spot? Tell me about it in the comments!

Enjoy!

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