Pooja Bavishi’s Malai To Open DC Ice Cream Shop

India-West Staff Reporter
WASHINGTON, DC – Brooklyn-based ice cream company Malai will open its first DC location at 1407 T Street NW on May 18. Malai is the first ice cream shop in the district dedicated exclusively to serving ice cream inspired by South Asian ingredients and spices.

The first fifty customers will receive a free Malai tote bag. Customers will also enjoy discounted three-dollar single scoops all day.

Pooja Bavishi, winner of Food Network’s Chopped Sweets competition, founded Malai when she discovered that the same spices of her childhood—ginger, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom—could robustly flavor ice creams in a way that she had never tasted before.

“I founded Malai because desserts bring people joy, and I wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness,” shares Bavishi.

Malai’s new location will feature twelve scoopable flavors and two soft serve flavors that will regularly rotate and a freezer with ice cream pints and an assortment of frozen desserts like Kulfi Pops. Among the flavors is a new one to celebrate opening in DC: Cherry Black Cardamom.

“Our DC scoop shop marks our inaugural step outside of NYC – so we knew we had to open with a delicious flavor,” explains Bavishi. “Inspired by the official fruit of Washington, DC (the cherry), this flavor is our declaration to the city: we’re here, and we’ve arrived with a bang. “

Some of the other scoop flavors available will include Apricot Mace, Masala Chai, Cardamom Pistachio Crumble, and Passionfruit Cilantro Sorbet (dairy-free/vegan).

The DC opening coincides with Malai’s signature pint collection launching in select Mid-Atlantic grocery stores this spring.