bars and more bars

Some dear friends from Virginia (the Pinkneys) were in town a few weeks ago and we were so excited to have them over for dinner (along with a few families in our ward that they knew from years back...small world). It was a good excuse to try some new recipes, and my old favorite lemon bar recipe.

 Samoa cookie bars. Recipe found HERE. So good. I especially loved the shortbread crust on these.

Chocolate peanut butter cup brownie bars. Recipe found HERE. Intense chocolatey goodness.

co co. sala

We had fun spending time with Ben's brother Dan and his family when they came out for a visit a few weeks ago. We had a babysitter one night and were able to meet them in D.C. for a kid-free evening which was so nice.

We tried Co Co Sala for brunch last year (it was amazing) and knew it would be the perfect spot to take Dan and Michelle for dessert. Everything we ordered was delicious. They have the best salted caramel hot chocolate. We tried three different dessert plates and a few appetizers. The mood lighting was extreme so the photos don't do the beautiful presentations justice.

The hot chocolate sampler.

Strawberry "caprese" flatbread. Strawberries, basil, and smoked mozzarella with a cacao infused basil and asparagus vinaigrette. So good.

Warm sticky toffee pudding cake, chocolate shavings, brown butter toffee sauce, and ginger caramel ice cream.

Dark chocolate mousse with vanilla crème brulee, salted caramel, crispy chocolate pearls and brownie alongside a dark chocolate sorbet and a cinnamon toffee bon bon.

Buttery shortcake, tart passion fruit curd, passion fruit caramel, creme fraiche chocolate cheesecake, and minty fresh foam.