ML Interest Tag: fruit-juice

Cheap Eats: 11 Restaurants Where Kids Eat Cheap or Free

by Meghan Yudes Meyers

Dinner out can offer a break from a sometimes monotonous evening routine but restaurant dining can add up quickly–especially when kids tag along. Finding that perfect balance between kid-friendly fare and a grown-up atmosphere can further complicate the search. We did some digging to find the best options beyond your local fast food joint. Scroll on to discover the the most budget-wise menus in the DMV – some options are even free.

photo: iStock

Old Ebbitt Grill
This one is the priciest on the list, but the history of the place earned it a spot here. Established in 1856, this eatery was a fave of presidents Cleveland, Grant, Harding and Theodore Roosevelt. Children’s entrees come with milk, fruit juice or soft drink, plus a choice of fries, tater tots, fruit, salad, organic applesauce or veggies followed by seasonal potato ice cream, sorbet or fruit. Main courses include old standbys like chicken tenders or PB&J, and some choices for more refined palates such as salmon teriyaki and sautéed Maine cod.

Cost: $9
Where: 675 15th St. NW
When: Any time
Online: ebbitt.com

photo: Roofers Union

Roofers Union
This Adams Morgan restaurant takes an elevated approach to modern, American fare. Kids will enjoy the house-ground hamburger, a gourmet PB&J sandwich or a haute take on simple grilled cheese. When the weather is nice, enjoy a family meal on the restaurant’s roof top. On Thursday nights from 5-8 p.m. kids 12 & under eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. Any other day of the week, expect to pay $5-8 for kid plates.

Cost: Free
Where: 2446 18th St. NW
When: Sundays, 5-8 p.m.
Online: roofersuniondc.com

photo: The Pig

The Pig
This farm-to-table restaurant with a nose-to-tail menu caters to pork aficionados with an appreciation for bourbon-heavy cocktails. It’s a grown-up menu with some surprising kid-pleasers. You’ll find pork tenders, grilled cheese, mac-and-cheese and more for kids 12 & under. There are a few pricier options (like a $12 cheeseburger), but you’ll find most of the kid’s meals are under $9. They also have crayons on hand to keep little hands busy.

Cost: $7-12
Where: 1320 14th St. NW
When: Any time
Online: thepigdc.com

 

photo: Pinstripes

Pinstripes
The kids’ menu is available all the time, with each meal costing $9. But kids eat for half-price on Sundays after 5 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée, which run $13 for a salad to $32 for the Filet Mignon Trio. Kids can choose from mini cheeseburgers, buttered noodles, pizza and grilled or crispy chicken tenders along with sides, parmesan bread, dessert and a drink. On Sundays, kids 5 and under can have the brunch buffet for free (it’s $15 for 6- to 12-year-olds), and it features a special just-for-kids table with mac and cheese, fries, and eggs, plus a sweet table with a chocolate fountain. By the way, this place also offers bowling and bocce so burn off some calories with a game. Note: A location is opening in Bethesda on Aug. 5.

Cost: $4.50 – $9
Where: 1064 Wisconsin Ave. NW
When: Any time, but eats eat for half-price on Sundays after 5 p.m.
Online: pinstripes.com

photo: Martin B. via Yelp

Silver Diner
With options such as gluten-free quinoa coconut pancakes, grilled nitrate-free all-beef hot dogs, teriyaki sustainable fresh salmon and sliders made from grass-fed, antibiotic-free beef, turkey or bison, it’s almost hard to believe the menu is from a diner. Until you see the 3-D old-fashioned truck each kid gets and the mini jukeboxes on the tables. And did we mention that every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. is Kids’ Night with entertainers and activities? There’s also the Kids’ Club for kids 12 and younger that comes with perks such as a free kid-size shake with dinner on Kids’ Night and a free meal on your birthday.

Cost: $4.99 – $6.49
Where: 10 area locations
When: Any time
Online: silverdiner.com

photo: Ted’s Bulletin

Ted’s Bulletin
While grown-ups scarf down comfort food such as grilled cheese with tomato soup and slurp spiked milkshakes, kiddos can enjoy breakfast any time of the day with Mr. Breakfast, a huge pancake with fruit and bacon, or they can balance their own milkshake with Mr. Healthy Habbits: fresh fruit, hummus and carrots. If those don’t do the trick, Ted’s also has kid favorites such as PB&J, grilled cheese and macaroni.

Cost: $5.99
Where: 10 area locations
When: Any time
Online: tedsbulletin.com

 

photo: Brookland Pint

Brookland Pint
At this craft beer-, sustainability-focused restaurant, kids eat free all day Tuesdays, and entrees are usually $8. They include hot dogs, cheese quesadillas and barbecue pulled pork sliders, served with a choice of fries, sweet potatoes, fruit, mac and cheese, or veggies.

Cost: Free
Where: 716 Monroe St. NE
When: Tuesdays
Online: brooklandpint.com

photo: Pizzeria Orso

Pizzeria Orso
Every Tuesday, children ages 10 and younger get a free item from the kid’s menu for each traditional or house specialty pizza ordered. The pizzas cost $9 for a cheeseless marinara to $16 for the Orso, which has mozzarella, pecorino tuscano, fontina, grana, ricotta, garlic and prosciutto. Children’s dishes usually cost $5 to $9 for things like spaghetti and meatballs, fried mozzarella and pizza (duh).

Cost: Free
Where: 400 South Maple Ave., Falls Church, VA
When: Tuesdays
Online: pizzeriaorso.com

photo Girl and Goat D. via Yelp

Whitlow’s on Wilson
Part bar, part dance club, part Sunday brunch spot, Whitlow’s offers one child 10 or younger a free meal with the purchase of an adult meal Tuesdays through Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m.

Cost: Free
Where: 2854 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA
When: Tuesdays
Online: brooklandpint.com

 

Gusto’s Italian Grill
For every pizza or salad purchase on Mondays, children 12 and under get a free kids’ salad or pizza with apple juice or organic milk. Regular-price salads and pizzas are $8.95 for grown-ups. The idea is farm-to-table freshness with the speed and customization of Chipotle and Cava Grill.

Cost: Free
Where: 4733 Elm St., Bethesda, MD; 8512 Fenton St., Silver Spring, MD
When: Mondays
Online: eatgusto.com

photo:Danny R. via Yelp

Vintage Restaurant
Sometimes the grass really is greener in the country. If you’re looking for farm-to-table fare that is, well, fresh from the farm, head to this worth-the-drive establishment in New Market. You can indulge in fancy cocktails with a sampler flight while your little one munches on housemade chicken nuggets or a local beef burger. All kids meals are just $5.

Cost: $5
Where: 8 W. Main St., New Market, MD
When: Any time
Online: vintage-eats.com

–Meghan Yudes Meyers and Stephanie Kanowitz

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It’s a ’90s Kind of Summer with These Ring Pop Molds from Target

by Erica Loop

Get your summer sugar fix in—’90s style. Target has Ring Pop popsicle molds and they’re nostalgia at its best!

With the summer swelter starting you’re looking for a treat that the kiddos can eat while keeping cool. Enter the Koji Ring Popsicle Mold.

You can pick up your very own Ring Pop maker at the big red bullseye retailer (or from Target.com) for $14.99. But if you hurry, you can get this sweet selection for the reduced sale price of $9.99.

And bonus—instead of feeding your littles popsicles with a lengthy list of chemical ingredients, you can fill these pops with your family’s fave fruit juice or a fresh fruit-infused water.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Koji via Instagram 

 

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Starbucks Wants Us to Know Summer Is Almost Here

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Bust out your flip-flops and beach bags, summer is just around the corner and these new Starbucks drinks and reusable cups are the perfect addition to the sunny days ahead. The fresh drinks and reusable cups are perfect for sipping through the hot day and they are as delicious as they are pretty!

You can expect to see the return of fan favorite drinks––with some making the permanent menu––and plenty of seasonal sips that are the epitome of summer. The U.S. and Canada are also getting color changing cups that take us straight back to the 90’s in the best way. Keep scrolling to see all that Starbucks has to offer this season.

These Color Changing Reusable Cups are a nostalgic throw-back to those Hypercolor t-shirts you sported 20 years ago. The color-changing tumblers work in a similar fashion, switching hues when they get filled with an icy cold Frappuccino or other summer drink of choice. They come in a set of five colors including Rose, Citron, Sky, Apricot and Arctic for $16.95 with lids and straws.

Speaking of summer drinks, you’ll have your pick when you hit the Starbucks drive-thru as the chain has just brought some favorites back for their summer menu. Nothing screams summer vacation quite like s’mores and if you’re craving that chocolate-marshmallowy goodness then order up the S’Mores Frappuccino. Starbucks is also adding Caramel Ribbon Crunch and Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccinos to this season’s menu.

Last, but certainly not least, Starbucks is introducing a brand new, magical concoction dubbed the Dragon Drink. A twist on last summer’s Mango Dragonfruit Refresher, the new Frappuccino combines fruit juice with Dragonfruit and sweet Mango flavors.

This perfectly pink drink is available now on the permanent menu along with all the other summer sensations.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

Featured photo: Courtesy of Starbucks

 

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Nearly Half of Kids’ Fruit Juice Contains Lead, Arsenic & More: Report

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Fruit juice might seem like a healthy option, but it’s faced criticism as a “healthy” option for the amount of sugar it contains. Now a new report from Consumer Reports has found “concerning levels” of heavy metals in kids’ juice.

Consumer Reports recently tested 45 popular juice brands sold across the country and found elevated—and potentially harmful—levels of arsenic, cadmium and lead in nearly half of the brands tested, including juices branded specifically for kids. Every product tested had measurable levels of at least one of the heavy metals including cadmium, inorganic arsenic, lead and mercury.

photo: stevepb via Pixabay

Twenty-one of the 45 juices had concerning levels of cadmium, inorganic arsenic, and/or lead. Of those 21, seven could harm kids who drink 4 ounces (half a cup) or more per day; another nine brands pose risks to kids who drink 8 ounces (one cup) or more per day. Five of those products were packaged in juice boxes or pouches.

The report also found that grape juice and juice blends had the highest average heavy metal levels and that organic juices did not have any lower levels of metals than conventional ones.

“Exposure to these metals early on can affect their whole life trajectory,” says Jennifer Lowry, M.D., chairperson of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Council on Environmental Health. “There is so much development happening in their first years of life.”

So what can parents do to keep kids safe? The best way to minimize exposure to heavy metals in fruit juice is to lower the consumption of fruit juice. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) already recommends limiting juice intake because of the sugar levels that can contribute to risk of developing cavities and obesity. The AAP recommendation is no juice before age one and limited levels for kids one and up. Ultimately, it is up to parents to research the products they buy and decide what is best for their families.

You can see the full Consumer Reports chart on the juices tested here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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Parents, We Need to Talk about Juice

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These Allergy-Friendly Scoops Hit the Sweet Spot

By Susie Hultquist

Photo: Erman Kassim

Every child with food allergies should be able to safely enjoy an ice cream cone, but my standards are just as high when it comes to taste. In the search for the perfect allergy-friendly scoop, here are the top picks that fall in the sweet spot.

To meet my trust standard, the brand either had to be completely free of allergens (and not use shared lines or equipment), or they had to exhibit superior precautions — like regular deep cleaning of the equipment, testing for allergenic proteins and providing clear labeling.  For my taste standard — trust us, I ate a lot of ice cream.

NO SHARED LINES/EQUIPMENT 

1. Nana Creme

When founder Regina Klafeta learned her niece had a nut allergy, she set out to create a safely delicious frozen dessert. Regina discovered she could mimic the creaminess of traditional ice cream by using frozen bananas. This top 8 allergen-free brand is available online and in select stores across the Midwest.

Flavor: Chocolate Covered Banana Free From: Top 8 Allergens Contains: No Top 8 Allergens Company Safety Standards: Every product wearing the Nana Creme label is produced in our own top eight allergen-free facility; because we believe that food is only as safe as the environment that it is made in… read more

2. Wink Frozen Desserts

This plant-based, sugar-free frozen dessert is billed as a “clean alternative to ice cream.” Wink’s ice cream is made using pea protein and natural sugar substitutes derived from agave and stevia, making it top 8 allergen-free. Find their products in select Whole Food stores or online.

Flavor: Cinnamon Bun Free From: Top 8 Allergens Contains: No Top 8 Allergens Company Safety Standards: We only use ingredients that are inherently free of the top 8 most common allergens, as well as never come in contact with any of the Top 8 most common allergens… read more

3. A La Mode

A La Mode is the nut-free darling of the New York City ice cream scene. Owned by a couple with a food allergic nephew, this ice cream and boutique party shop is committed to dishing out ice cream that is safe for people with peanut, tree nut, sesame and egg allergies. After much anticipation, Al La Mode is now shipping their pints across the United States!

Flavor: Pink Sprinkle Free From: Peanut, Tree Nuts, Egg, Wheat, Gluten, Coconut, Sesame Contains: Milk, Soy Company Safety Standards: Nut-, egg- and sesame-free means more than just not allowing it in our shoppe or manufacturing facility. We have an extensive food allergy training process in place for each employee that comes to work at A La Mode… read more

SHARED LINES/EQUIPEMENT

4. NadaMoo!

Since 2004, NadaMoo! has been serving up small-batch, non-dairy ice cream deep in the heart of Texas. The founder was inspired by her food allergic sister to create safe coconut milk ice cream for people all over the world. You can purchase their pints in grocery stores, co-ops and specialy shops nationwide.

Flavor: Lotta Mint Chip Free From: Peanut, Tree Nuts Milk, Egg, Soy, Wheat, Gluten, Sesame Contains: Coconut Company Safety Standards: Between every flavor run, the stainless-steel equipment is thoroughly washed, cleaned, and tested. Each flavor is then tested at different stages of the run, from mixing to freezing to filling, for any violations or contaminations… read more

5. Coconut Bliss

Coconut Bliss has been committed to quality ingredients and customer safety from the start. The creators started by hand-cranking their own coconut milk ice cream with natural ingredients, looking for a better solution to the disappointing taste of other dairy-free frozen desserts. Now, you can find their allergy-friendly products in stores nationwide.

Flavor: Salted Caramel & Chocolate Free From: Peanut, Tree Nuts, Milk, Egg, Soy, Gluten, Wheat Contains: Coconut Company Safety Standards: During our production days, no dairy or egg ingredients are allowed in the production room, and we always schedule nut or peanut flavors last in the day. After every production the equipment is taken apart, thoroughly washed, rinsed, sanitized and left to dry overnight… read more

6. So Delicious Almond Milk

For almost 30 years, So Delicious has been creating frozen treats for those with milk allergies and intolerances. They began with a line of soy milk-based ice cream, and over the years, they expanded their line to include desserts made with almond milk, cashew milk and coconut milk. Their pints, mini ice cream bars and ice cream sandwiches are sold at major grocery stores across the country.

Flavor: Mint Chip Free From: Peanut, Milk, Egg, Soy, Wheat, Gluten Contains: Tree Nuts (Almond and Coconut) Company Safety Standards: Allergens are controlled through supplier controls, segregation of ingredients, production run scheduling, equipment cleaning, and our testing program. We have learned that the success of our products is as much about what they do not contain as it is about what they do contain… read more

7. So Delicious Cashew Milk

Flavor: Dark Chocolate Truffle Free From: Peanut, Milk, Egg, Soy, Wheat, Gluten Contains: Tree Nuts (Cashew and Coconut)

8. So Delicious Soy Milk

Flavor: Cookie Dough Free From: Peanut, Milk, Egg, Wheat, Gluten Contains: Soy, Coconu

9. So Delicious Coconut Milk

Flavor: Oregon Mixed Berry Free From: Milk, Peanut, Egg, Soy, Wheat, Gluten Contains: Coconut

10. Talenti

With just six simple ingredients, Talenti’s sorbetto is a naturally allergy-friendly way to treat yourself on a hot day. The sorbetto is available in a variety of flavors, all of which are made using fruit, fruit juice, fruit puree and ice. Talenti, which is sold nationwide, do not have separate production lines, but they follow a strict Allergen Protection Program that can be found below.

Flavor: Roman Raspberry Sorbetto Free From: Top 8 Allergens Contains: No Top 8 Allergens Company Safety Standards: Talenti follows a very rigorous Allergen Protection Program for the storage and handling of these allergens to ensure that our product contains no unlabeled allergens… read more

11. Ben & Jerry’s

You asked, they answered. In 2016, Ben & Jerry’s began producing non-dairy ice cream after an online petition asking for vegan options generated nearly 30,000 signatures. They started out with four non-dairy flavors, and in 2017, three new options hit supermarket shelves. The recipe swaps out milk and eggs for almond milk and coconut oil  — available nationwide.

Flavor: Non-Dairy Chocolate Fudge Brownie Free From: Milk, Egg, Peanut Contains: Tree Nuts (Almond and Coconut — may contain other Tree Nuts), Soy, Wheat, Gluten Company Safety Standards:  We have systems and policies in place to help protect our consumers from cross-contamination. While we process nut flavors on shared equipment that also processes non-nut flavors, Ben & Jerry’s employs strict sanitation procedures and processes… read more

12. Breyer’s

If you’re looking for a classic, Breyer’s has strict cleaning processes, clear labeling and ability to search their website by dietary restriction. Note that other vanilla flavors like Homemade Vanilla and Extra Creamy Vanilla contain egg and wheat ingredients. Breyer’s can be found in stores across the country.

Flavor: Natural Vanilla Free From: Egg, Peanut, Tree Nuts, Soy, Wheat, Gluten Contains: Milk Company Safety Standards:  After manufacturing a product, the machine is disassembled and flushed with a hot sanitizing solution for several hours followed by a hot water rinse. If a product containing a known allergen has been produced, the equipment receives a double process of the sanitation and rinse process… read more

13. Graeter’s

For more than 145 years, Graeter’s has been selling ice cream in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. They are the only ice cream manufacturer in the world that still uses old-world, 2 1/2 -gallon French Pot freezers, and their commitment to excellence extends to their allergen practices. They have dedicated storage and labeling for allergens and take steps to ensure safety for customers with food allergies. Order online or in select grocery stores.

Flavor: Lemon Sorbet Free From: Top 8 Allergens + Sesame Contains: No Top 8 Allergens Company Safety Standards: We use good manufacturing practices to segregate allergens and avoid cross-contact with flavors that contain peanuts and tree nuts… read more

Susie Hultquist is the founder and CEO of Spokin, a tech startup that's building the easiest way to manage food allergies. She left her career on Wall Street to pursue her dream of building the product she wished existed for herself, her daughter, and food allergic families everywhere. 

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16 New Ideas for a Healthy Toddler Snacktime

by Lauren Hill

Averaging six small meals a day, it might seem like a day with your baby or toddler is just passing time between meals. To satiate their growing bellies, it’s important to make every bite count. If you’ve found yourself in a snack time slump, or feel like your only on the go options are packed with unhealthy preservatives, then check out the ideas below. With both prepackaged and homemade goodies to choose from, these healthy treats are both kid- and mom-approved.

photo: BabyFoodE

Crackers: You can always opt for a pre-made option like Annie’s Organic Crackers, but if you are looking to cut back on ingredients try making your own. This delicious Animal Cracker recipe from BabyFoodE features three different flavor options, including dark chocolate for mommy, so be sure to try them all.

Hummus: Create a dipping game, diving your toddler’s favorite whole grain bread or cut-up veggies (for older toddlers) into a bowl of hummus. Made from chickpeas and heart-healthy olive oil, this protein and fiber packed dip is a filling snack.

Applesauce: Inexpensive, healthy and sweet, applesauce is a classic go-to snack that most toddlers love. You’ll find all-natural, unsweetened options in pre-packaged cups or pouches like these from GoGo SqueeZ or try this easy recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

Cottage Cheese: Considered a complete protein, when paired with fresh fruit like peaches or pineapple cottage cheese makes a wholesome snack. Try these cottage cheese pancakes from Weelicious for a delicious breakfast-style snack anytime of day.

photo: Yummy Toddler Food

Yogurt Gummies: This hybrid yogurt and gummy snack from Yummy Toddler Food is packed with fresh fruit and full of flavor. Easy to make, use silicone molds to create fun shapes.

Cheese Stick: Broken up into small bites or pulled into fun strings once your toddler is able to chew, string cheese is the perfect calcium-filled snack.

Banana with Peanut-, Almond-, Cashew- or Sun-Butter: Bananas are loaded with potassium and when paired with your child’s favorite butter it becomes a protein-packed snack you can feel good about serving. Be sure to look for an all-natural spread that includes just nuts and salt.

Smoothies: Ideal for when you’re on the go, make your child’s favorite blends at home and transport in an easy-to-clean container like the Squeasy Snacker Silicone Reusable Food Pouch.

photo: Little Duck Organics

Freeze-dried Fruits and Vegetables: Look for fruits and veggies freeze-dried with no added sugar, like these packaged treats from Little Duck Organics, Just Tomatoes, Etc!, or the Happy Family Brand. For older toddlers, the larger freeze-dried mango and banana from Trader Joe’s are another great option.

Avocado: Full of healthy fat, Vitamin E, fiber, iron, and potassium (just to name a few benefits), this nutrient dense fruit is delicious cut into cubes, pureed into a smoothie, or mashed on top of toast and served with a side of berries.

Popsicles: The perfect snack for teething toddlers, it’s easy to turn leftover smoothies into refreshing pops. You can even get the kids in on the fun mixing ingredients. Mama Papa Bubba features some yummy flavor combinations.

Pudding: Surprisingly easy to make, forgo to the store bought mix and opt for making your own pudding flavors. BabyFoodE gave this basic snack a healthy makeover by adding a little peanut butter, chia seeds and a few other surprising ingredients. Find the recipe here.

photo: Land of Nod

Muffins: Muffins are an easy solution to getting your picky toddler to eat their necessary vegetables. From sweet potato to spinach, the possibilities are endless. Try whipping up a batch of these Carrot and Zucchini Muffins from Cupcakes and Kale Chips.

Yogurt Bites: Yogurt dots are a great source of calcium, good fats and probiotics. These colorful, all-natural Frozen Yogurt Dots from Small Fry are fun to make and even more fun to eat. But if you’re short on time, the Organic Greek Yogis from Happy Family will also do the trick.

Fruit Snacks: Sweetened with honey and made with 100% fruit juice, DIY fruit snacks are a healthier alternative to the classic store bought treat. Try this easy recipe from Kelsey Nixon and Land of Nod.

Fruit Bars: That’s It and Trader Joe’s all-natural fruit bars offer full servings of fruit, and are soft enough for toddlers to chew. We suggest stashing a few in your diaper bag for emergencies.

What do you feed your toddler at snack time? Share with us in the comments below.

— Lauren Hill

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Yum Alert! A New Vegan Sweet Shoppe Your Kids Will Love

by Chelsea Lin

‘Tis officially candy season—our favorite time of year—which starts with pilfered Almond Joys from our little goblins’ Halloween stash and ends with the last of the candy canes nibbled just before New Year’s resolutions. And it’s no coincidence that Michael Chinn and Crystal Rice chose now to open their new Phinney Ridge candy shop, Violet Sweet Shoppe. Specializing in a small, well-curated selection of vegan sweets, the duo clearly know their audience.

photo: Chelsea Lin

Twice as Nice
Chinn and Rice aren’t new to Seattle’s sweet scene—the couple own a Laurelhurst bakery, also called Violet Sweet Shoppe, that puts out some seriously stunning and delicious egg- and dairy-free treats. Think beautiful fruit tarts, expertly decorated cakes, giant cookies, and even milkshakes. You’ll spot some of these baked goods at the new Violet as well, though they’re limited to what can be easily packaged and transported across town. Keep in mind that Chinn says even though Violet is entirely vegan, most of their customers are not!

Bar Class
Not that there’s anything wrong with a Hershey’s kiss, but the bean-to-bar chocolates here are the star of the show, and of a caliber you won’t find going through that trick-or-treat bag. Chinn says he’s chosen bars produced by small companies from all over the country that make their own chocolate in-house. Mind you, some of these sell for $10 a bar but, as we’ve learned with wine, you generally get what you pay for.

photo: Chelsea Lin

A in Aesthetics
Rice has an eye for design that shows in the newest Violet. An assortment of vintage plates and glass jars are used to display the wares, some of the prettiest bird wallpaper we’ve seen lines the front counter, and there are bouquets of fresh flowers. Bonus: Seasonal displays like the assortment of black-and-orange Halloween goodies you’ll currently find, make this space extra sweet.

Milk It
There are gelatin-free gummy worms and fruit juice lollipops and all manner of naturally sweet treats, but the youngest chocoholics will adore the bars from Chocolate Hollow, a Vermont-based confectionery that specializes in vegan “milk” chocolate that uses dried soymilk rather than traditional milk powder. If you like Nutella—is there anyone who doesn’t like Nutella?—you’ll want to try the hazelnut truffle log.

Special Order
Got a party coming up? Violet does much of its business in custom cake orders out of its Laurelhurst bakery, which customers on the west side can now place and pick up from the Phinney Ridge location. Order 48 hours in advance—just look at these Frankencakes below! Check out the full menu on Violet Sweet Shoppe’s website.

photo: Violet Sweet Shoppe’s Facebook page

Violet Sweet Shoppe
6410 Phinney Ave. N.
Seattle, WA 98103
206-297-4441
Online: violetsweetshoppe.com or on Facebook

Hours: Wed.-Mon 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Closed Tues.

What’s your favorite candy to indulge in this time of year? Be sweet and leave us a note in the comments below.

—Chelsea Lin

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