Nestled on Potomac Street in what used to be GoFresh and Philly P, The Crave has recently opened as Georgetown’s newest sandwich shop. The small eatery prides itself on its corn beef sandwiches, lobster rolls, and gourmet grilled cheeses.

First off, be warned that visiting The Crave will be an experience much different than your usual lunch excursion. The ambiance made us questioning many things, including the legitimacy of the restaurant and even our own sobriety. For example, the loud and unpredictably random music is immediately noticeable (we’re talking a playlist that contained both DJ Felli Fel’s “Get Buck in Here” and the Christmas song, “Joy to the World”). The upstairs eating space, which was more along the lines of an art-collecting hipster’s 70’s style living room, left us wondering if we had mistakenly entered a hookah bar or someone’s apartment.

However, our skepticism quickly subsided as we attacked our delicious sandwiches. With only one person working the kitchen, the food was prepared at perhaps not the quickest speed, but the wait was worth it. One favorite was the “Divine Goat Cheese” sandwich. Layered panini-style with chevre goat cheese, fig jam, honey, zest, and herbs on raisin walnut bread, this was not your average grilled cheese sandwich—nonetheless, it was one of the best Vox has ever tasted.

Other mouth-watering choices included the lobster roll and the grilled caprese sandwich with prosciutto. Both were a perfect portion size and were well deserving of the “It only takes one bite” slogan that the restaurant promotes.

All in all, The Crave left Vox craving more. We can’t say the same for our wallets however.  The Crave seemed a bit overpriced, ranging from $7 – $16 per sandwich. But that’s not incredibly surprising—after all, this is Georgetown we’re talking about.

It’s official. The frozen yogurt craze is in full swing in Georgetown now that Pinkberry has arrived. Perhaps the trendiest and most popular frozen yogurt shop of the moment, Pinkberry has captured the hearts of many across the world with over 170 locations in 16 countries. As a loyal fan of the yogurt chain ourselves, Vox couldn’t wait to get our hands on one of those icy, fresh desserts now that they are in walking distance of campus.

The interior of the shop is similar to its other locations: tastefully decorated (pun intended) with contemporary and naturalistic elements such as sleek, modern shapes, a pebble floor, and a sky-blue and grassy-green color palette.

And the yogurt is almost better than Vox remembered it. The sweet yet slightly tangy Original flavor accompanied with ripe, juicy strawberries is perfectly refreshing, even on a frigid winter day. Pinkberry also offers a few other seasonal flavors, including a mouth-watering Mango, Blood Red Orange, Pomegranate, and even Peanut Butter. And with a variety of toppings ranging from fresh fruit to shaved chocolate to crunchy cereal to cheesecake bites, Pinkberry’s got it all. It’s no wonder that this place was bustling with customers when Vox got there.

But is this all too good to be true? Indeed it is. As much as the chilly treats are enjoyable, there is a major setback to this dessert: the steep price. A medium yogurt with toppings, which costs $4.95 at our hometown Pinkberry in California, is a whopping $6.95 here in Georgetown. We’re sorry, but the fact that a frozen yogurt could cost more than a lunch at Chipotle to be taken lightly.

Due to its high prices, Pinkberry may find it difficult to become a favorite hangout spot for college students. However, with the help of wealthy local residents and tourists desperate for a break from the sweltering DC summer climate, Pinkberry should have no trouble finding success here in Georgetown. With that said, who knows how Monday’s arrest of Pinkberry’s co-founder, Young Lee, will affect the thriving yogurt chain. Allegedly beating up a homeless man is not the greatest PR, but that’s a whole other story.

Photo: Alex Rice

One of France’s oldest bakeries has just opened its newest location right here in Georgetown. With over 120 years of service and 453 shops worldwide, authentic Parisian bakery PAUL has clearly done a thing or two right over the years. Settled on the corner of Wisconsin and M Street right behind Banana Republic, PAUL fits in perfectly with the cutesy Georgetown atmosphere. What’s more, it’s snug location used to house the kitchen of the historic City Tavern, a place frequented by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson back in the day.

So would our man George look fondly upon what’s become of one of his favorite 19th century hangouts? Vox unequivocally says yes. From the cinnamon pear tart to the gooey strawberry macaroon to the buttery chocolate croissant to the tender apple danish, PAUL offers a delicious variety that is sure to satisfy the sweet tooth of every customer. And if you’re more in the mood for savory flavors, that’s no problem.

PAUL also offers a selection of salads, quiches, and sandwiches that will make your mouth water. All of the items that Vox and our companions munched on during our dinner at PAUL were pretty solid—you can’t really go wrong with anything you try.  However, what stood out most among the group were the chocolate croissant, the spinach-salmon tart, and a quiche filled with broccoli, turkey, bacon, and Swiss cheese.

The classic bakery set-up makes it easy to grab a quick yet delicious bite when time is scarce. But don’t get the wrong idea—this bakery is not just a spot to grab and go. It also features an upstairs café that offers classic French dishes for a sit-down breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The café is small and cozy, with the capacity to seat just around 30 customers. However, it’s this intimacy that makes the place so charming. This cozy ambiance is further enhanced by traditional French artwork and a collection of vintage baking items used for decoration.

Of the 30 customers the bakery can hold, a lucky four will have the pleasure of dining next to the grand floor-to-ceiling window that overlooks the quaint streets of Georgetown. Can you think of a better way to start your day than to relax with coffee and a crepe in the upper window of PAUL?  Didn’t think so.

Photos: Alex Rice