Cannoli snobs may insist that the best versions of the tube-shaped sweets can only be found in iconic Italian neighborhoods in Boston, New York, or Philadelphia. But a strong showing of D.C. restaurants and bakeries make cannoli that swing from trendy to traditional.
In its most basic form, the Sicilian pastry and close friend of the cappuccino typically sports a crisp, flaky shell shaped into a cylinder and filled with ricotta cream, maybe some chocolate chips, or a sprinkling of pistachio dust and powdered sugar. The portable dessert weathered the pandemic quite nicely, thanks to its takeout-friendly and affordable features.
Tried-and-true cannoli can be found at the Italian Store, Filippo’s, and Menomale, for starters. For a creative twist, consider foie gras-filled cannoli at Michelin-rated Masseria or limoncello-spiked versions for spring at suburbia’s cannoli-obsessed newcomer Bisnonna Bakeshop.
Eater DC chats about the local cannoli game on this week’s Historical Drama with the Boston Sisters podcast, commemorating the 50th anniversary of cult crime drama The Godfather and its contribution to the rise of cannoli in pop culture.
Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.
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