Where to Find Great Desserts: Michael's on East in Sarasota, Florida

It’s been far too long since I’ve put together a post about my love of chocolate, and I wanted to write about some kick-ass desserts I had while in Sarasota, Florida.

Michael's On East—a hidden gem tucked away in a strip mall—is an old school fine dining establishment that has a very romantic vibe to it. The bar is dim, as is the rest of the restaurant. Expect guests to rest drinks on the piano as they sing along to the likes of Frank Sinatra and “Here Comes the Sun.” I could see plenty of couples celebrating anniversaries here. And I wouldn’t be surprised to learn if this place is the site of many a marriage proposal. But now that I’ve described the atmosphere, let’s get down to what’s really important: the food. 

 Hello, magnificent chocolate creation. 

It’s been far too long since I’ve devoured truly impressive desserts, and this is where you’ll want to go to get ‘em. I loved the decadent Brownie Ice Cream Stack (and really, with a name like that, how could you go wrong?). This creation features layers of dark chocolate brownie, heath bar crunches, espresso crunch ice cream and vanilla ice cream that's all drizzled with chocolate sauce. This creation was so stuffed, it looked like it might collapse under the weight of all the deliciousness. Once you’ve toppled it and dug in though, you won’t regret destroying this beauty one bit. It’s the perfect example of a high-end ice cream cake--with just enough texture and ice cream to balance all the other ingredients out.

 Some minty goodness, right there.

Another true stand out for me was the Big Top Chocolate Icebox Pie. The plating was gorgeous, with an artful smear of chocolate on the plate. And the dessert itself resembled a multilayered brownie. A piece of chocolate rested on top of this dessert, which also featured a layer of cool mint, followed by a layer of bittersweet chocolate mouse that all rested on top of a bed of Oreo cookie crumbles. The entire thing was like a giant Girl’s Scout Thin Mint. I could simply not get enough of this cool and refreshing dish. 
 

Perfect meals always conclude with great desserts. For a truly memorable ending, head to Michael’s.

Please note: The restaurant covered the cost of my meal. All thoughts are my own, as always.

Local Treats Worth Seeking Out: Nashville's Goo Goo Clusters

Whenever I'm traveling, I make a point of seeking out local foods and treats whenever possible. After all, I love Reese's, but I can get 'em at any gas station in the country. And if you're in Nashville, you must (like it should be a law) try a Goo Goo Cluster.

The holy grail of Nashville candy: The Goo Goo Cluster.

I had never heard of these before I visited Music City last summer, but they're candies you'll fall in love with. The original of the three varieties is made with "real milk chocolate, caramel, peanuts and marshmallow nougat." In short, it's chewy, texture-rich and all-around delicious. That combination is an undeniable winner. Each and every one I had melted in my mouth, and now I'd count these among my favorite candies. They're tough to find outside of Nashville, but they're always worth the trip.

 This is what heaven looks like in food form.

Georgetown Cupcake is Magic

I love food. I always have. It's one of my true passions and in very ironic fashion, after I lost my job in 2011, I started interning with an editor who was running an Atlanta-based food magazine. That kick started my food writing career, and here I am. 

Since then, my love for food has really blossomed. I've been to food festivals in the Virgin Islands and have sat at chef's tables at some dynamite restaurants. But with all that traveling and eating all over the country, I've often found that some of my favorite treats are closet to home. And when it comes to local foods, Georgetown Cupcake is hard to top. This spot has come a long way from a tiny outpost in one of D.C.'s best neighborhoods. Yes, I have stood in that notoriously long line in the cold (thank you very much) to get one and think of it as a D.C.-area dweller's rite of passage. 

Dreamy cupcakes in a bright, pink box. Don't you love that tiny, bright heart on the red velvet cupcake?

Some say these are overrated, and although I have had a dry one, I think the frosting here can't be beat. It's sweet, but not overly sugar. And the Peanut Butter Fudge is out-of-this- world good. You can't go wrong with smooth, creamy peanut butter frosting and that rich chocolate cupcake base that's filled with (yes!) fudge. This treat impresses with each and every bite. 

Behold a birthday cake cupcake on the left and heaven-in-a-cupcake Peanut Butter Fudge on the right. 

So, next time you're near a Georgetown Cupcake, go in. If you get there early enough, you can even nab a free one. Every day, the company announces on its Twitter and Facebook pages the complimentary, "not-on-the-menu" offering. Check those pages before you head out and the clerks will hand one out for free if you ask for it by name. It really is that simple (and delicious). Here's to cupcakes!