The Cupcake Diaries: Ordering Dessert
By Maddy Berner

When I usually go to a restaurant, I’m so full from the 3-course meal I just devoured that I don’t have room for a sweet palette-cleanser. But to be honest, that and a shrinking wallet are the only things that usually keep me from ordering dessert at any restaurant I go to.

Personally, I think ordering dessert while out to eat is a great way to try new things and get inspired. Most restaurants serve a certain kind of food and usually have a delicious dessert to go along with its theme. Of course, most places have the usual treats: chocolate cake, vanilla ice cream, etc. But I’m daring you guys to order something from that menu that you’ve never tried before and not regret it.

I went to a Mexican restaurant with my friends over winter break and decided to order a dessert sampler containing a serving of tres leches, banana empanadas and flan. I had never tried two out of the three before that moment, but when I did, I died and went to dessert heaven. Everything was not only deliciously sweet but had a cultural aspect that I would never be able to replicate in my own kitchen. It was actually fun to splurge on something so good and unique to this certain restaurant.

Lesson of the week: don’t deny your taste buds a mini cultural experience. Order dessert and order something fun. Chances are you’ll be awoken to a whole new collection of flavors.

Photo courtesy of Maddy Berner