In recent months, the Dupont Circle neighborhood has added a sports bar (Maddy’s), a French bistro (Bistro Bistro), a coffee house (Filter), a taco stand (Tomatillo Taqueria), and not one but two burger shops (BGR: The Burger Joint and Rogue States).
Now it’s about to get a taste of Argentine gelato. Violeta Edelman and Robb Duncan, the husband and wife behind the Dolcezza shops in Georgetown and Bethesda, will open their Dupont store on April 15. That’s Tax Day, for those still sweating it, a nice way to reward yourself after you kiss that return goodbye.
On paper, the Dupont location sounds slightly more user-friendly than the other two Dolcezza shops. The 800-square foot space, located directly in front of the Dupont Metro stop, will feature a communal table, window seating, patio seating, and an antique wood coffee bar first used in a Buenos Aires cafe, circa 1940s.
As much as I adore Dolcezza’s silky, hand-spun gelati (I’ve been known to continue eating the lemon ricotta cardamom long after my appetite has passed), I suspect the new shop’s coffee program will be an equal draw in Dupont. Check out this information from Dolcezza’s press announcement:
While coffee has always been a well-crafted component of the Dolcezza experience, the gelato company is utilizing the Dupont Circle opening to expand offerings. Dolcezza is pioneering the way for cleaner-tasting, expertly brewed coffee by introducing the latest pour-over technology, the V60 from Hario, which has been touted as one of the most superior pour-over systems on the market. Dolcezza’s v60 coffee bar was custom built by Ritual Roasters in San Francisco and will be used to feature coffee beans from four or five different coffee roasters, always following the coffee that is currently in season. The pour-over method of coffee brewing is a slower, more personalized process and involves pouring hot water over freshly ground coffee. Pastries from Bonaparte Breads will brought in every morning to accompany the coffee.
Dolcezza’s coffee menu will rotate monthly and include freshly roasted beans from artisan roasters such as sustainable Counter Culture Coffee, San Francisco-based Ritual Roasters, local Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters, and Intelligentsia Coffee & Tea. Coffee from the pour-over bar will be available in 1 size only, 12 ounce. Dolcezza will also offer traditional espresso beverages including macchiato, gibraltar, cappuccino and latte, all served in one size only. The coffee program at Dolcezza’s Dupont Circle location will be led by Head Barista Liz Fedden, previously the head barista at Baked & Wired in Georgetown. Fedden recently participated in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Barista Competition and will bring her passion and knowledge of coffee to Dupont Circle customers.
The Dupont Dolcezza will celebrate its official grand opening on Sunday, April 25. From noon to 6 p.m., the Dupont shop will be serving up free gelato, bluegrass music, and a whole smoked hog from Bev Eggleston with EcoFriendly Foods.
Mmmm, smoked pig and ice cream.