Malai, a renowned New York City-based ice cream shop, is expanding its reach to Washington, DC, with the opening of its new location at 1407 T Street NW on Saturday, May 18, starting at 12 p.m. Embracing the flavors of India, Malai offers a diverse range of ice cream flavors that are both rich in spices and creamy in texture. The shop is owned by Pooja Bavishi, who gained recognition as the winner of Food Network’s Chopped Sweets competition.
According to Malai, Bavishi’s inspiration for starting the shop stemmed from her childhood memories of spices such as ginger, rose petals, saffron, and cardamom, which she discovered could be used to create uniquely flavorful ice creams.
“I founded Malai because desserts bring people joy, and I wanted to be in the business of delivering happiness,” explains Bavishi.
For the DC opening, Malai has crafted a special flavor called Cherry Black Cardamom, inspired by the official fruit of Washington, DC. This flavor features black cardamom ice cream layered with a sweet and tart chunky cherry compote, offering a fusion of fruity, smoky, decadent, and spiced notes.
Since its establishment in 2015, Malai has grown from selling ice cream at local fairs and markets to establishing a flagship location in Brooklyn, expanding its presence to grocery stores across the Northeast, and offering nationwide shipping via Goldbelly. In recent years, Bavishi has scaled up Malai’s operations, transitioning from a small kitchen to a spacious 10,000-square-foot production facility and fulfillment center.
Looking ahead, Bavishi aims to introduce Malai’s unique flavors to a wider audience, with the DC opening marking just the beginning of her plans for nationwide and international expansion.
To celebrate the opening, Malai invites the DC community to join the festivities on Saturday, May 18, at noon. Throughout the day, customers can enjoy discounted $3 scoops, and the first 50 guests will receive a complimentary Malai tote bag.
Featured image courtesy Malai Ice Cream
