Malai

NYC’s Essential Ice Cream Shop Malai Expands to D.C. Next Year | Eater DC

"I'm excited for Malai’s D.C. debut next spring or summer — the New York-based, Southeast Asian–spun shop makes eggless ice creams founded by Pooja Bavishi, who began selling at NYC fairs and markets in 2015 and two years later added a grocery retail line and nationwide Goldbelly shipping before opening a Brooklyn flagship in 2019 and expanding with a Market 57 kiosk and a seasonal High Line cart. Its recently secured Logan Circle location (1407 T Street NW) will feature signature flavors and D.C.-specific specials and collaborations: Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds remains the day-one best seller and never leaves the menu, Masala Chai is based on Bavishi’s mom’s daily chai recipe, and Mango & Cream has an Alphonso mango ripple. Beyond scoops and pints (which will also be stocked in DMV freezer aisles and available via local delivery apps), the shop will offer ice cream cakes, cream sandwiches, kulfi pops, soft serve, and eventual catering; I can also try two special Diwali pop-up flavors, Ghughra and Kaju Katli, at the Modern Diwali Holiday Table pop-up with Casa Amarosa at Salt & Sundry on Oct. 28." - Alyssa Langer