(georgetowncupcake.com) – Georgetown neighborhood, Washington, DC

How I heard of this place: Chris told me about a cupcake spot in DC that always has a line out the door, up the block and around the corner before I saw it for myself. On our long walk from North Arlington to Georgetown, we happened by Georgetown Cupcake and I was amazed at how many people would wait outside, in the heat and elements for a…cupcake. “No cupcake,” I thought to myself, “is worth that line.”

Type of cuisine: Cupcakes and espresso beverages galore.

Ambiance: While most patrons see only the outside of the corner cupcake shop, the interior is small and cozy. Nearly floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides of the quaint establishment, one overlooking M Street and the second a small side street, where the lines usually begin. Inside, limited seating is available to your left as you enter the mostly white and plastic space, immersed in the amazement of the decadent sight directly ahead of you, behind the glass display. Raised plates on stepped platforms decked with colorful and delightful chocolate and vanilla concoctions, topped with cute flowers, hearts and gummy lime wedges. To your right, pink bags and more pink bags of take-away, pre-orders to be picked up by hundreds of sugar-thirsty fans. While tens of people await the completion of their orders, staff are hustling to get cupcakes packed into boxes and bags with the Georgetown Cupcake logo. Espresso beverages are brought out from behind the counter as the barista yells out orders in the hopes of meeting a listening ear. Outside, as the line grows, a young staff member distributes the daily cupcake menu, complete with flavors available each day of the week and seasonal specialties.

What I ordered: Coming upon Georgetown Cupcake, and noticing that no one was in line, my friend Samyar and I had to run inside for a sample. We went in, intending to buy one cupcake to share. After looking at the menu, several looked tempting. Walking inside, Samyar immediately said, “I’m getting the Red Velvet, Chocolate Ganache and Vanilla Birthday! What are you getting?” Wide-eyed and smiling, I responded, “The Key Lime sounds intriguing.” We walked out with not only those four, but the addition of Chocolate Banana and German Chocolate. The Chocolate Banana: Valrhona chocolate and fresh banana cupcake with a banana-flavored frosting topped with a yellow fondant flower (daisy with white center). The Chocolate Ganache: Valrhona chocolate cupcake with a thin layer of callebaut chocolate ganache icing, topped with a white, fondant flower. Key Lime: fresh key lime cupcake with a key lime frosting topped with a candied lime wedge. Red Velvet: Georgetown Cupcake’s signature cupcake – classic red velvet cupcake with a vanilla cream cheese frosting topped with a sparkle-y red, fondant heart. Vanilla Birthday: classic Madagascar bourbon vanilla cupcake topped with a traditional sweet vanilla buttercream frosting and chunky, spherical rainbow sprinkles.

What I loved: One of our dining taste-testers, Kent, most enjoyed the Chocolate Ganache, his second favorite being the Red Velvet. Samyar had a hard time deciding between the Vanilla Birthday and the Key Lime. I was most in the mood for the over-the-top sweet Vanilla Birthday, but thoroughly enjoyed the soft, moist darkness of the Chocolate Ganache. The German Chocolate was beautifully sweet and interestingly stuffed with pecans and caramel, toasted coconut and chocolate sauce atop the light caramel frosting.

Why I loved it: The cupcakes are moist and light and the frosting underwhelming yet completes the presentation and taste. The multitude of flavors, the small portions and the variety make it a cupcake worth coming back for. That being said, order ahead for pick-up, rather than waiting in the long lines. My initial note, as good as these cupcakes are, “no cupcake is worth standing in a ridiculous line over,” still stands.

Cost: Average to high ($15 per half-dozen, or $3+ each)