Freeze Jag: Plush Gelato & Coffee
Posted by Warren Rojas / Wednesday, August 10th, 2011
August is historically the steamiest, stickiest, sweatiest month of the year–brilliant move, Founding Fathers, building the nation’s capital on a swamp–in these parts. We’ve tracked down 31 frozen treats (one a day for the rest of this month) to provide you with some temporary, and often insanely delicious, relief.
The place: Plush Gelato & Coffee – 175 Maple Ave. E., Vienna; 703-938-2655; www.plushgelato.com
The prescription: gelato affogato. Perhaps I’m too literal. But when a retailer plugs both wake up juice and Italian confections into their business name, I have to assume they want me to try them together. Plush is only too happy to oblige with its affogato–a dual tempered pick-me-up featuring your choice of homemade gelatos inundated with a steaming shot of made-to-order espresso. The piping hot coffee quickly burrows through the hyper dense dairy balls, carving grooves into which the robust liquid will ultimately while also speeding the general dissolution of the extra rich ice cream. Fight as you might to scoop every last bit of frozen bliss into your mouth before the coffee has its way with it, you will ultimately be left with an addictively sweet latte.
I’m partial to the white chocolate cherry (creamy and tart) and mint (so very fresh) gelatos. But I could just as easily see myself slurping a double shot bolstered by blood orange, toasted almond, Vietnamese coffee (boasting an impressive 10 espresso shots per batch), roasted banana, gianduja, tiramisu, dulce de leche or lemon tart scoops. “Sometimes, we also have bourbon [gelato],” the attendant informed me with a devilish grin.
Buddy, you may have just resolved all of my eating/drinking needs.
–Warren
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Keep tabs on the month long Freeze Jag trek here.
Tags: affogato, cafe, dessert, espresso, Freeze Jag, Gut Check, Northern Virginia Magazine, NoVA, Plush Gelato & Coffee, sorbet, Vienna, Warren Rojas