The ***OFFICIAL*** Washington, DC thread (1 Viewer)

[VA703]

...but if you really want the best tacos in the greater DC/MD/VA metro area, get yourself out to Falls Church, VA for...

Taco Bamba - http://tacobambarestaurant.com/ ... you'll thank me for this.

Wow, looks awesome. Thanks for the rec.

Not far from me. Will probably check it out today. Thanks!

I've been pretty much once a week since it opened. Really good and very different from anything I've had though I'm not a big foodie. I get at least one El Beso everytime. Really good for less than $20.

is this near marshall hs?

 

[Swing 51]

Yes right down Route 7 from Marshall. Take a right on Pimmit Drive off 7. You know the strip mall behind Idyllwood Plaza that has Art's Tavern and an MMA joint? Its in there. Idyllwood Plaza has a Whole Foods, Tara Thai, Jason's Deli, etc.

Turn right off Pimmit before the Subway store and its in that plaza.

 

[VA703]

Yes right down Route 7 from Marshall. Take a right on Pimmit Drive off 7. You know the strip mall behind Idyllwood Plaza that has Art's Tavern and an MMA joint? Its in there. Idyllwood Plaza has a Whole Foods, Tara Thai, Jason's Deli, etc.

Turn right off Pimmit before the Subway store and its in that plaza.

perfect thanks

 

[Swing 51]

One thing about Taco Bamba to keep in mind is its kinda quirky. Its a small space and with an open grill it gets quite hot as the AC can't keep up. I went on Sunday morning and in addition to it being hot they could only accept cash. The food is so tasty tho that I went to an ATM (next to Starbucks in Idyllwood Plaza) and went back to eat.

 

[VA703]

this place in Herndon is pretty comparable.. looks wise

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tipicos-do%C3%B1a-gloria-restaurant-sterling

 

[dgreen]

Taco Bamba have Mexican bottled Coke?

 

[Swing 51]

Taco Bamba have Mexican bottled Coke?

Not sure as I've cut soda from the diet. I think they may have Inca Kola tho.

 

[nittanylion]

this place in Herndon is pretty comparable.. looks wise

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tipicos-do%C3%B1a-gloria-restaurant-sterling

Taco Bamba is a unique thing. Chef/Owner Victor Albisu (who also owns Del Campo in the former PS7 space in downtown DC) is one of the, if not the most talented South American Chefs in the greater metro DC area. The plaza Taco Bamba is located in is also the home to his mother's Latin-American Grocery, where Victor learned a boatload about meat and butchery at the hands of a Uraguayan mentor, but he has plenty of formal accolades as well, as his bio can attest.

http://delcampodc.com/about/chef/

Some seriously authentic food - the Pozole Rojo is quite possibly one of the best Mexican/Latin/South American soup I've ever had. Very Bayless-esque

Taco Bamba have Mexican bottled Coke?

Not sure as I've cut soda from the diet. I think they may have Inca Kola tho.

Yes, they have Mexican Coke.

Inca Kola. Not a fan. Be mindful about drinking that stuff - in addition to high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors and colors, it also is one of those sodas with the combination of Citric Acid and Sodium Benzoate as preservatives, which have been shown to have some negative effects on some people's cells. Worth looking into at least, YMMV...

 

[dgreen]

Hit Taco Bamba on my way home yesterday.

I got one chorizo, one spicy goat, and one pork and pineapple taco. Good, simple, cheap meal. Some a/c and tables would be nice, but I guess you can't have everything. I don't usually spend much time in that area, but I'm sure I'll keep this place in mind whenever I'm there. Lots of options to try. It will take several visits to go through the menu and find my favorite tacos.

And for those who are on the adventurous side, they have things like tongue and tripe. I almost ordered one tongue yesterday, but I decided to start with the basics.

 

[Swing 51]

Hit Taco Bamba on my way home yesterday.

Glad you liked it. They used to have sweetbreads tacos too but took it off the menu, guess it wasn't selling well enough. I really need to get to Del Campo in DC.

 

[VA703]

Hit Taco Bamba on my way home yesterday.

Glad you liked it. They used to have sweetbreads tacos too but took it off the menu, guess it wasn't selling well enough. I really need to get to Del Campo in DC.

you can go right next door to the market and buy sweet breads

 

[Swing 51]

Hit Taco Bamba on my way home yesterday.

Glad you liked it. They used to have sweetbreads tacos too but took it off the menu, guess it wasn't selling well enough. I really need to get to Del Campo in DC.

you can go right next door to the market and buy sweet breads

Yeah I think that is where Victor Albisu gets his proteins for Taco Bamba - his mom's latin grocery mart.

 

[George Jefferson Airplane]

The Food Truck Fiesta app is pretty awesome for finding trucks throughout the city. Tasty Kabob and Captain Cookie are two I've tried, both awesome.

 

[Don Quixote]

I was on a quest to find some Flying Dog Dead Rise today, without success (went to a few places listed on the Flying Dog web site as carrying it). Anybody have tips on where it might be in stock?

I'm on the call list when it is back in stock. Might be my best option.

You try Total Wine & More in Virginia?

They were on the list on Flying Dog's web site, but I did not make it down there. I was hoping to avoid that clusterf***. Desperate times call for desperate measures though. But, since I've now had a few beers watching the World Cup, quest will has to resume next week.

If it makes you feel any better, it's not especially good and you can't taste the Old Bay.

That does make me feel better, actually. Still curious to try, but I won't go as much out of my way.

I can confirm that the beer itself is nothing special and in fact I would call it rather poor.

Bought a 6 pack a few weekends ago and still have 3 left in the fridge,not impressed at all.

I finally had some of this last weekend, and I agree not that good. The hype seems a bit excessive for its taste.

 

[Apple Jack]

Taco Mamba freaking rules. Best six dollars ever spent.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Hit Taco Bamba on my way home yesterday.

Dumb Q probably, but do they do takeout? I'm over that way fairly often.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Ate at Graffiato last night down by the Verizon Center--great food, reasonable prices, fun atmosphere and excellent cocktails. Sort of fusion Italian served tapas style. Potato gnocchi with a pork ragu was the best dish we tried.

Then met a bunch of people for drinks at the outside patio at Poste. Real fun night.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Went to La Caraquena in Falls Church last night. Right downtown on West Broad St (rt 7). It is a TINY Venezuelan restaurant. It was on DDD a few years ago.

The menu is interesting, lots of different things if you aren't used to dining in Caribbean joints. The Arepa is neat; it's a little sandwich made from flat, white ground-corn cakes amenable to stuffing - that is either grilled or fried. My wife and I shared one that had: Seasoned thin slices of steak with sauteed onions, tomatoes and cilantro on the fried corn bread. Breathtaking.

For an entree, my wife had a version of the "pabellon criollo" is layered like a flag in its bowl, starting with a stripe of black beans, then that tasty beef, some steamed rice and a border of soft, sweet plantains. It's a dynamite quartet, thanks in part to smoked bacon in the beans, bell peppers and tomato paste in the meat, and the delicious way the rice absorbs those beefy juices. Her version had a fried egg and some fried plantains. It was delicious.

Overall, we will be heading back the next time we are in that neighborhood near dinner. The trick is needing a reservation, especially if the weather doesn't suit outdoor eating. They can only seat in the mid 30s of people at once.

Anyone ever been there before?

 

[thecatch]

Went to La Caraquena in Falls Church last night. Right downtown on West Broad St (rt 7). It is a TINY Venezuelan restaurant. It was on DDD a few years ago.

The menu is interesting, lots of different things if you aren't used to dining in Caribbean joints. The Arepa is neat; it's a little sandwich made from flat, white ground-corn cakes amenable to stuffing - that is either grilled or fried. My wife and I shared one that had: Seasoned thin slices of steak with sauteed onions, tomatoes and cilantro on the fried corn bread. Breathtaking.

For an entree, my wife had a version of the "pabellon criollo" is layered like a flag in its bowl, starting with a stripe of black beans, then that tasty beef, some steamed rice and a border of soft, sweet plantains. It's a dynamite quartet, thanks in part to smoked bacon in the beans, bell peppers and tomato paste in the meat, and the delicious way the rice absorbs those beefy juices. Her version had a fried egg and some fried plantains. It was delicious.

Overall, we will be heading back the next time we are in that neighborhood near dinner. The trick is needing a reservation, especially if the weather doesn't suit outdoor eating. They can only seat in the mid 30s of people at once.

Anyone ever been there before?

I was there a couple of years ago. We almost left after driving around the building as it's super ghetto looking. Food as I recall was very good but not amazing.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Went to La Caraquena in Falls Church last night. Right downtown on West Broad St (rt 7). It is a TINY Venezuelan restaurant. It was on DDD a few years ago.

The menu is interesting, lots of different things if you aren't used to dining in Caribbean joints. The Arepa is neat; it's a little sandwich made from flat, white ground-corn cakes amenable to stuffing - that is either grilled or fried. My wife and I shared one that had: Seasoned thin slices of steak with sauteed onions, tomatoes and cilantro on the fried corn bread. Breathtaking.

For an entree, my wife had a version of the "pabellon criollo" is layered like a flag in its bowl, starting with a stripe of black beans, then that tasty beef, some steamed rice and a border of soft, sweet plantains. It's a dynamite quartet, thanks in part to smoked bacon in the beans, bell peppers and tomato paste in the meat, and the delicious way the rice absorbs those beefy juices. Her version had a fried egg and some fried plantains. It was delicious.

Overall, we will be heading back the next time we are in that neighborhood near dinner. The trick is needing a reservation, especially if the weather doesn't suit outdoor eating. They can only seat in the mid 30s of people at once.

Anyone ever been there before?

I was there a couple of years ago. We almost left after driving around the building as it's super ghetto looking. Food as I recall was very good but not amazing.

The motel it sits in front of is a bit nasty. But i bet that it will go away as the property becomes more valuable with the building of the large new apartment complex being built across the street.

As for the food, may just be personal tastes and just the desire for the type of food. It may have also helped that we were the first in the restaurant that evening and they could concentrate on our dishes. We hit there at 5:30 on our way to the Billy Joel show at Nats Stadium.

 

[thecatch]

Went to La Caraquena in Falls Church last night. Right downtown on West Broad St (rt 7). It is a TINY Venezuelan restaurant. It was on DDD a few years ago.

The menu is interesting, lots of different things if you aren't used to dining in Caribbean joints. The Arepa is neat; it's a little sandwich made from flat, white ground-corn cakes amenable to stuffing - that is either grilled or fried. My wife and I shared one that had: Seasoned thin slices of steak with sauteed onions, tomatoes and cilantro on the fried corn bread. Breathtaking.

For an entree, my wife had a version of the "pabellon criollo" is layered like a flag in its bowl, starting with a stripe of black beans, then that tasty beef, some steamed rice and a border of soft, sweet plantains. It's a dynamite quartet, thanks in part to smoked bacon in the beans, bell peppers and tomato paste in the meat, and the delicious way the rice absorbs those beefy juices. Her version had a fried egg and some fried plantains. It was delicious.

Overall, we will be heading back the next time we are in that neighborhood near dinner. The trick is needing a reservation, especially if the weather doesn't suit outdoor eating. They can only seat in the mid 30s of people at once.

Anyone ever been there before?

I was there a couple of years ago. We almost left after driving around the building as it's super ghetto looking. Food as I recall was very good but not amazing.

The motel it sits in front of is a bit nasty. But i bet that it will go away as the property becomes more valuable with the building of the large new apartment complex being built across the street.

As for the food, may just be personal tastes and just the desire for the type of food. It may have also helped that we were the first in the restaurant that evening and they could concentrate on our dishes. We hit there at 5:30 on our way to the Billy Joel show at Nats Stadium.

Didn't mean to come off as knocking the food - I'd recommend the place.

 

[dgreen]

Hit Taco Bamba on my way home yesterday.

Dumb Q probably, but do they do takeout? I'm over that way fairly often.

I assume they probably mostly do takeout business. Inside there are a couple bars with stools and then there was one, maybe two, tables outside. It's not really set up for dining in.

 

[(HULK)]

Anyone looking for very good pizza in suburban MD, a new place, Frankly's Pizza just opened up in Kensington. Fantastic. Its been open a week and I've been twice already, lol

 

[Swing 51]

Never been to La Caraquena but have heard many good things about it. Stratford Motor Lodge def looks like a dump, I hit the Starbucks next to it all the time and the riff raff walking around the area look sketchy.

Anyone use the Silver Line since opening Sat? Appears all went well during this morning's commute.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Never been to La Caraquena but have heard many good things about it. Stratford Motor Lodge def looks like a dump, I hit the Starbucks next to it all the time and the riff raff walking around the area look sketchy.

Anyone use the Silver Line since opening Sat? Appears all went well during this morning's commute.

It is, but hopefully the new development across West Broad will make the neighborhood better. They took out the Italian restaurant (Anthony's - Moved) and the Post Office and have dug a huge hole in the ground for the 7 story building. It's going to have a Harris Teeter (among other things) in the first floor of the apartment building. Should be nice.

 

[Swing 51]

Yeah Mr. Ected it will be interesting to see how little "The Little City" is in a few years. They are looking at developing the corner of Broad & West, across from the Taco Bell. Might include an underground movie theater.

http://fcnp.com/2014/07/23/movie-house-in-f-c-developer-targets-a-younger-demographic/

 

[dgreen]

Anyone use the Silver Line since opening Sat? Appears all went well during this morning's commute.

My Orange train this morning was definitely a little lighter and not nearly as many people boarded at WFC. WFC had been a huge entry point for buses out the Toll Road and in Tysons. Those buses have now been rerouted to Silver stations.

On my way back from NYC Saturday afternoon, I followed some tweets about the first trip. Apparently the first train overshot one platform by 4 cars and had to back up . WMATA really needs to get back to automated driving, instead of manual. They've been on manual since the Red Line derailment. Of course I'm not a transportation expert, but it seems a bit ridiculous that they haven't been able to return to automated driving.

Visting NYC makes me a little bummed about Metro, but overall we have a pretty good system, especially when compared to other US cities. Among several important differences between DC and NYC, Metro is so much younger than the NYC Subway and that leads to a lot of subway envy.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Yeah Mr. Ected it will be interesting to see how little "The Little City" is in a few years. They are looking at developing the corner of Broad & West, across from the Taco Bell. Might include an underground movie theater.

http://fcnp.com/2014/07/23/movie-house-in-f-c-developer-targets-a-younger-demographic/

Love the"Little City", long time ago used to live in the small townhouse neighborhood on the south side of W. Broad, off Virginia Ave. Loved being close enough to the city to get in and out, but still being a bit away. Tysons is close, not too far from Old Town.

It is infinitely more centrally located than Leesburg, where I live now.

 

[Swing 51]

Love the"Little City", long time ago used to live in the small townhouse neighborhood on the south side of W. Broad, off Virginia Ave.

I know it well, I've friends who live in the Winter Hill community.

 

[nittanylion]

Anyone looking for very good pizza in suburban MD, a new place, Frankly's Pizza just opened up in Kensington. Fantastic. Its been open a week and I've been twice already, lol

Frank Linn is a good guy, funny as heck, and a talented pizzaolo. Started out with a wood burning oven on a trailer making neapolitan-style pizze in and around southern Montgomery County. Few years back, settled in at the Kensington Farmer's Market by the MARC Train Station near antique row (Saturdays 8AM - Noon). The space he's in now has been a hodgepodge of mediocre places over the last several years. I've actually looked at it twice, but the Ownership of the property itself is a little convoluted...IMO, was a better place to buy outright than lease, and they weren't selling at what I felt was a well researched and thought out offer. Oh, well.

http://www.frankly-pizza.com/

He makes a good pie and has wanted to do the brick-and-mortar thing for some time. Know he got mauled during the opening week. Cut back the hours, probably to give himself the opportunity to rest and recover, which is wise on his part. He's a solid cook, uses good ingredients, and will probably be doing some interesting food besides pizza eventually. Beer and Wine License, thoughful selection, not run-of-the-mill stuff, which is nice. Glad you like it (HULK), and the rest of you should check it out at some point. I haven't been in yet, probably will give him 3 months or so to get his feet under him before I check in to see how he's doing...

...thankfully, there's another Owner-Operated Pizza Napolitana spot right in our neck of the woods that everyone should know about if they already don't. My guys Ankur and John, on Rockville Pike behind Radio Shack across from Congressional Plaza, have been doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well for 3 years or so now at Pizza CS. (CS = Come Sempre). Bad-### woodburning oven, and Ankur is a real-deal VPN Naples-trained pizzaolo.

Interestingly, they're doin' it well right across from local chain Matchbox. I know those guys too, and was a big fan when they first got started, but IMO they've declined from excellent to above average as they've expanded. When I'm out to eat high-quality pizza, personally, I'm not interested in 'the scene', and I'm not really interested in a menu so broad that it takes the focus off the pizza, but that's probably a personal thing.

So, give John and Ankur/Pizza CS a shot if you're in the area, especially if you're a fan of the whole David vs Goliath thing, which isn't officially what's going on between them and Matchbox, but probably kind of is, anyway. I'm in and out of there probably once a week, if anyone ever wants to meet up, PM.

http://pizzacs.com/

So this is probably as good a time/place as any to list my best DC-Metro Area Pizzerias for anyone who's interested. FWIW, I prefer Neapolitan-style pizza:

1. Pupatella - http://www.pupatella.com/

2. Menomale - http://menomale.us/about/

3. Pizzaria Orso - http://www.pizzeriaorso.com/

4. 2 Amy's - http://development.ginatolentino.com/2amys/?page_id=10

5. Pizza CS - see link above

6. Mia's - http://miaspizzasbethesda.com/

YMMV, but with nothing else to do between now and the start of football season, it's as good as any a topic to discuss. Happy to provide details and inside scoop for anyone interested, about these places or any other restaurants in the greater DC/Metro area.

 

[dgreen]

7th Hill Pizza is another good Neapolitan place.

 

[(HULK)]

Anyone looking for very good pizza in suburban MD, a new place, Frankly's Pizza just opened up in Kensington. Fantastic. Its been open a week and I've been twice already, lol

Frank Linn is a good guy, funny as heck, and a talented pizzaolo. Started out with a wood burning oven on a trailer making neapolitan-style pizze in and around southern Montgomery County. Few years back, settled in at the Kensington Farmer's Market by the MARC Train Station near antique row (Saturdays 8AM - Noon). The space he's in now has been a hodgepodge of mediocre places over the last several years. I've actually looked at it twice, but the Ownership of the property itself is a little convoluted...IMO, was a better place to buy outright than lease, and they weren't selling at what I felt was a well researched and thought out offer. Oh, well.

http://www.frankly-pizza.com/

He makes a good pie and has wanted to do the brick-and-mortar thing for some time. Know he got mauled during the opening week. Cut back the hours, probably to give himself the opportunity to rest and recover, which is wise on his part. He's a solid cook, uses good ingredients, and will probably be doing some interesting food besides pizza eventually. Beer and Wine License, thoughful selection, not run-of-the-mill stuff, which is nice. Glad you like it (HULK), and the rest of you should check it out at some point. I haven't been in yet, probably will give him 3 months or so to get his feet under him before I check in to see how he's doing...

...thankfully, there's another Owner-Operated Pizza Napolitana spot right in our neck of the woods that everyone should know about if they already don't. My guys Ankur and John, on Rockville Pike behind Radio Shack across from Congressional Plaza, have been doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well for 3 years or so now at Pizza CS. (CS = Come Sempre). Bad-### woodburning oven, and Ankur is a real-deal VPN Naples-trained pizzaolo.

Interestingly, they're doin' it well right across from local chain Matchbox. I know those guys too, and was a big fan when they first got started, but IMO they've declined from excellent to above average as they've expanded. When I'm out to eat high-quality pizza, personally, I'm not interested in 'the scene', and I'm not really interested in a menu so broad that it takes the focus off the pizza, but that's probably a personal thing.

So, give John and Ankur/Pizza CS a shot if you're in the area, especially if you're a fan of the whole David vs Goliath thing, which isn't officially what's going on between them and Matchbox, but probably kind of is, anyway. I'm in and out of there probably once a week, if anyone ever wants to meet up, PM.

http://pizzacs.com/

So this is probably as good a time/place as any to list my best DC-Metro Area Pizzerias for anyone who's interested. FWIW, I prefer Neapolitan-style pizza:

1. Pupatella - http://www.pupatella.com/

2. Menomale - http://menomale.us/about/

3. Pizzaria Orso - http://www.pizzeriaorso.com/

4. 2 Amy's - http://development.ginatolentino.com/2amys/?page_id=10

5. Pizza CS - see link above

6. Mia's - http://miaspizzasbethesda.com/

YMMV, but with nothing else to do between now and the start of football season, it's as good as any a topic to discuss. Happy to provide details and inside scoop for anyone interested, about these places or any other restaurants in the greater DC/Metro area.

Awesome post.

I found Frank at the farmer's market like 18 months ago. Been stalking him to get a pie ever since. Glad, so glad, his place is finally open. I can walk there. Love it. You seem to know his deal pretty well, but for those who don't, aside from really knowing his shizz with pizza, he also buys everything organic, makes the bacon himself, has homemade sodas, etc. Its a bit pricey, but it is a very very good meal. And I've had pizza in many different places in Italy. Frank's isn't quite as good (what really is), but in terms of high end pizza in the area, I imagine he'll quickly be on anyone's top 5 list.

I've got to try some of these other places. Of the list, I've only been to 2 Amy's, and it really didn't live up to the hype imo. It was good, but everyone lists it as the best in the area and its not.

 

[TobiasFunke]

2. Menomale - http://menomale.us/about/

Thank you, my friend.

I didn't even know this place existed and it's like 5 minutes from my house.

 

[(HULK)]

More thoughts on pizza:

Everyone raves about Neopolitian (as in "from Naples") pizza, but I don't know if its the best. Its great, don't get me wrong, but the best pizza I've ever had was actually in Tuscany near an out of the way bridge called something that translates to "Devil's Point" (Punte di Diavalo I think, excuse my spelling). I can't remember the name of the place I ate pizza at in Naples, but it was like a 45 minute wait and almost all locals in line... it was supposed to be the best pizza in the city with the best pizza on the planet. Yet I'll never forget the pizza I had in Tuscany... topped with parmeasan slabs and proscuitto... it was the greatest thing I've ever eaten.

To be fair though, you really should be comparing Margharita style pizzas since everyone does one. I rarely order one because I'm drawn to more creative creations typically. But its the gold standard of pizza imo.

 

[dgreen]

Anyone looking for very good pizza in suburban MD, a new place, Frankly's Pizza just opened up in Kensington. Fantastic. Its been open a week and I've been twice already, lol

Frank Linn is a good guy, funny as heck, and a talented pizzaolo. Started out with a wood burning oven on a trailer making neapolitan-style pizze in and around southern Montgomery County. Few years back, settled in at the Kensington Farmer's Market by the MARC Train Station near antique row (Saturdays 8AM - Noon). The space he's in now has been a hodgepodge of mediocre places over the last several years. I've actually looked at it twice, but the Ownership of the property itself is a little convoluted...IMO, was a better place to buy outright than lease, and they weren't selling at what I felt was a well researched and thought out offer. Oh, well.

http://www.frankly-pizza.com/

He makes a good pie and has wanted to do the brick-and-mortar thing for some time. Know he got mauled during the opening week. Cut back the hours, probably to give himself the opportunity to rest and recover, which is wise on his part. He's a solid cook, uses good ingredients, and will probably be doing some interesting food besides pizza eventually. Beer and Wine License, thoughful selection, not run-of-the-mill stuff, which is nice. Glad you like it (HULK), and the rest of you should check it out at some point. I haven't been in yet, probably will give him 3 months or so to get his feet under him before I check in to see how he's doing...

...thankfully, there's another Owner-Operated Pizza Napolitana spot right in our neck of the woods that everyone should know about if they already don't. My guys Ankur and John, on Rockville Pike behind Radio Shack across from Congressional Plaza, have been doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well for 3 years or so now at Pizza CS. (CS = Come Sempre). Bad-### woodburning oven, and Ankur is a real-deal VPN Naples-trained pizzaolo.

Interestingly, they're doin' it well right across from local chain Matchbox. I know those guys too, and was a big fan when they first got started, but IMO they've declined from excellent to above average as they've expanded. When I'm out to eat high-quality pizza, personally, I'm not interested in 'the scene', and I'm not really interested in a menu so broad that it takes the focus off the pizza, but that's probably a personal thing.

So, give John and Ankur/Pizza CS a shot if you're in the area, especially if you're a fan of the whole David vs Goliath thing, which isn't officially what's going on between them and Matchbox, but probably kind of is, anyway. I'm in and out of there probably once a week, if anyone ever wants to meet up, PM.

http://pizzacs.com/

So this is probably as good a time/place as any to list my best DC-Metro Area Pizzerias for anyone who's interested. FWIW, I prefer Neapolitan-style pizza:

1. Pupatella - http://www.pupatella.com/

2. Menomale - http://menomale.us/about/

3. Pizzaria Orso - http://www.pizzeriaorso.com/

4. 2 Amy's - http://development.ginatolentino.com/2amys/?page_id=10

5. Pizza CS - see link above

6. Mia's - http://miaspizzasbethesda.com/

YMMV, but with nothing else to do between now and the start of football season, it's as good as any a topic to discuss. Happy to provide details and inside scoop for anyone interested, about these places or any other restaurants in the greater DC/Metro area.

Awesome post.

I found Frank at the farmer's market like 18 months ago. Been stalking him to get a pie ever since. Glad, so glad, his place is finally open. I can walk there. Love it. You seem to know his deal pretty well, but for those who don't, aside from really knowing his shizz with pizza, he also buys everything organic, makes the bacon himself, has homemade sodas, etc. Its a bit pricey, but it is a very very good meal. And I've had pizza in many different places in Italy. Frank's isn't quite as good (what really is), but in terms of high end pizza in the area, I imagine he'll quickly be on anyone's top 5 list.

I've got to try some of these other places. Of the list, I've only been to 2 Amy's, and it really didn't live up to the hype imo. It was good, but everyone lists it as the best in the area and its not.

I believe Orso was a 2 Amy's spinoff, so probably pretty much the same.

Pupatella is a must-try if you're ever near Ballston.

 

[nittanylion]

Orso originally had a relationship, of sorts, to 2 Amy's:

2 Amy's is owned by Peter Pastan, who I consider to be one of the best Chefs in the greater DC/Metro area, easily in my Top 5 in DC. I consider his primary restaurant, Obelisk, to be the one place I'd choose to dine inside DC if I only had one choice. We are aquainted, and I consider him somewhat of a mentor, but he's a very...unique...individual, so we don't have a mentor-mentee relationship in the typical sense. It takes longer than I have now to explain, but maybe someday. If Obelisk had a website, I'd post it here...but they don't. Yes, he is indeed unique. When I have time to post a menu, I will, so you all can see what he's doing. Dinner only, Tuesday-Saturday - he writes a menu daily, and in the afternoon, nails it to a post outside the restaurant, located in a brownstone-type just off Dupont Circle, 20th & P St., NW. Fixed Price menu with optional pairings, Assorted antipasti, choice from 3 primi, 3 secondi, a cheese course, 3 desserts, other assorted treats, averages around $75/person. Optional Wine pairings for about $50 more. Food is special, and absolutely worth it. Everything sourced with utmost care. Prepared simply, but technically precise. Sublime. I try to go once each season, and I draw a ton of inspiration for my own menus from what he does with food. Guy is a genius. Eccentric, eccentric genius...

...anyway, 2 Amy's rose to prominence thanks to Chef Pastan's vision, and the pizza-making skills of one Edan McQuaid. I speak in hyperbole, but he's one of the finest pizzaolos ever to work in the DC/Metro area. Edan is very much a maven - very dedicated to his craft. Peter's vision for 2 Amy's began to broaden, and that started to clash with Edan's philosophy, so Edan left, and bounced around the area helping a lot of Neapolitan-style places get started, but never laying down feet anywhere for very long, until he got the opportunity to do his own thing in Falls Church, Va, which was Orso. Again, Edan is very passsionate and dedicated to his craft - a maven. He recreated the 2 Amy's idea the way, in his mind, it was 'supposed' to be. He started getting stifled again - I think it's just the way he is, and left - Brian Voltaggio of Top Chef fame hired him and he was instrumental in getting Voltaggio's Range in Chevy Chase Pavillion going. Edan is now somewhere in the Atlantic Northeast, presumably doing his own thing the way he wants to do it. I haven't talked with him in over 2 years. Whatever he's doing, I'm sure it's hard core and excellent.

...but Orso tabbed a stellar replacement. Will Artley is a very talented Chef, and is also a VPN-certified pizzaolo, but his scope is much broader than Edan's. Orso is a very cool place to check out in Falls Church, like 2 Amy's it's a lot more than pizza...and not too far from Taco Bamba, which is nice! Kid friendly, too.

 

[dgreen]

nittany, have you ever shared with us where you work? Would you want to do that or no?

 

[Disco Stu]

Got the trip mostly(?) planned out now.

We're staying at The Liaison Capitol Hill (through hotwire) from Fri until Tue.

Flying into BWI Friday at 5:15pm. MARC Train (Penn line) from there to Union Station. I think?

Walk around and see stuff Saturday. Probably Air and Space museum and Capitol at least. Take M(?) to Nationals Park for the 7pm game.

Take MARC train (Camden line) to 1:30 Orioles game. Anything we should see in Baltimore before or after the game?

All day Monday free to tour DC. Probably Natural History, memorials, White House. Likely no time for Mt Vernon.

At some point Tuesday we need to get to Philadelphia via Amtrak. Planning to rent a car when we arrive at 30th St Station. We are staying at the Holiday Inn near the stadium. Phillies game is at 7.

Flight home out of PHL is at 7:30 Wednesday, so we should have time to see a few things (Independence Hall, Liberty Bell) if we don't have time Tuesday. I'm not sure there's a whole lot else we need to see in Philly, so I may leave Tuesday morning for DC and book an afternoon train. Undecided there. Thoughts?

 

[dgreen]

Camden Line doesn't run on the weekend. You'll have to take the Penn Line to either BWI or Penn Station and then take light rail to Camden yards. Check the Marc weekend schedule.

 

[dgreen]

Not sure how good Philly's Metro/subway is, but it looks like you can get to the stadium area from 30th Street Station by rail and wouldn't need a car. After you stop to check out the Rocky statue of course.

 

[Disco Stu]

Not sure how good Philly's Metro/subway is, but it looks like you can get to the stadium area from 30th Street Station by rail and wouldn't need a car. After you stop to check out the Rocky statue of course.

My thought in getting a car in Philly is that we will have luggage. Both after arriving at the station and after checking out of the hotel. Seems like a pain for sightseeing.

 

[dgreen]

Makes sense.

Check soon on Amtrak prices. They can get pretty high as they near a sell out.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

Why not just rent the car in DC and drive to Philly, especially if you're going back there at the end? Seems like it would be easier and cheaper, and wouldn't really take any longer.

Metro to the Nats game is really easy, that's no problem.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

More thoughts on pizza:

Everyone raves about Neopolitian (as in "from Naples") pizza, but I don't know if its the best. Its great, don't get me wrong, but the best pizza I've ever had was actually in Tuscany near an out of the way bridge called something that translates to "Devil's Point" (Punte di Diavalo I think, excuse my spelling). I can't remember the name of the place I ate pizza at in Naples, but it was like a 45 minute wait and almost all locals in line... it was supposed to be the best pizza in the city with the best pizza on the planet. Yet I'll never forget the pizza I had in Tuscany... topped with parmeasan slabs and proscuitto... it was the greatest thing I've ever eaten.

To be fair though, you really should be comparing Margharita style pizzas since everyone does one. I rarely order one because I'm drawn to more creative creations typically. But its the gold standard of pizza imo.

Pizza quality is usually very good anywhere in Italy, but it is most consistent in Naples. It's where the dish originated and they still do it the way they've always done, which maybe adds to the flavor. Bologna and Naples are considered the culinary capitals of Italy, I had the fortune of living in one for three years and 45 minutes from the other for two more.

Thanks to Nittanylion for the Pizza Napolitana links, will have to check one of those places out.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Anyone looking for very good pizza in suburban MD, a new place, Frankly's Pizza just opened up in Kensington. Fantastic. Its been open a week and I've been twice already, lol

Frank Linn is a good guy, funny as heck, and a talented pizzaolo. Started out with a wood burning oven on a trailer making neapolitan-style pizze in and around southern Montgomery County. Few years back, settled in at the Kensington Farmer's Market by the MARC Train Station near antique row (Saturdays 8AM - Noon). The space he's in now has been a hodgepodge of mediocre places over the last several years. I've actually looked at it twice, but the Ownership of the property itself is a little convoluted...IMO, was a better place to buy outright than lease, and they weren't selling at what I felt was a well researched and thought out offer. Oh, well.

http://www.frankly-pizza.com/

He makes a good pie and has wanted to do the brick-and-mortar thing for some time. Know he got mauled during the opening week. Cut back the hours, probably to give himself the opportunity to rest and recover, which is wise on his part. He's a solid cook, uses good ingredients, and will probably be doing some interesting food besides pizza eventually. Beer and Wine License, thoughful selection, not run-of-the-mill stuff, which is nice. Glad you like it (HULK), and the rest of you should check it out at some point. I haven't been in yet, probably will give him 3 months or so to get his feet under him before I check in to see how he's doing...

...thankfully, there's another Owner-Operated Pizza Napolitana spot right in our neck of the woods that everyone should know about if they already don't. My guys Ankur and John, on Rockville Pike behind Radio Shack across from Congressional Plaza, have been doin' it and doin' it and doin' it well for 3 years or so now at Pizza CS. (CS = Come Sempre). Bad-### woodburning oven, and Ankur is a real-deal VPN Naples-trained pizzaolo.

Interestingly, they're doin' it well right across from local chain Matchbox. I know those guys too, and was a big fan when they first got started, but IMO they've declined from excellent to above average as they've expanded. When I'm out to eat high-quality pizza, personally, I'm not interested in 'the scene', and I'm not really interested in a menu so broad that it takes the focus off the pizza, but that's probably a personal thing.

So, give John and Ankur/Pizza CS a shot if you're in the area, especially if you're a fan of the whole David vs Goliath thing, which isn't officially what's going on between them and Matchbox, but probably kind of is, anyway. I'm in and out of there probably once a week, if anyone ever wants to meet up, PM.

http://pizzacs.com/

So this is probably as good a time/place as any to list my best DC-Metro Area Pizzerias for anyone who's interested. FWIW, I prefer Neapolitan-style pizza:

1. Pupatella - http://www.pupatella.com/

2. Menomale - http://menomale.us/about/

3. Pizzaria Orso - http://www.pizzeriaorso.com/

4. 2 Amy's - http://development.ginatolentino.com/2amys/?page_id=10

5. Pizza CS - see link above

6. Mia's - http://miaspizzasbethesda.com/

YMMV, but with nothing else to do between now and the start of football season, it's as good as any a topic to discuss. Happy to provide details and inside scoop for anyone interested, about these places or any other restaurants in the greater DC/Metro area.

Awesome post.

I found Frank at the farmer's market like 18 months ago. Been stalking him to get a pie ever since. Glad, so glad, his place is finally open. I can walk there. Love it. You seem to know his deal pretty well, but for those who don't, aside from really knowing his shizz with pizza, he also buys everything organic, makes the bacon himself, has homemade sodas, etc. Its a bit pricey, but it is a very very good meal. And I've had pizza in many different places in Italy. Frank's isn't quite as good (what really is), but in terms of high end pizza in the area, I imagine he'll quickly be on anyone's top 5 list.

I've got to try some of these other places. Of the list, I've only been to 2 Amy's, and it really didn't live up to the hype imo. It was good, but everyone lists it as the best in the area and its not.

Yeah, that is a great post for those of us in that area. Ive only had a few of those so I foresee some excellent pies in my future. Thanks, nittany.

 

[nittanylion]

(HULK) - given where you live (Frankly...Pizza and the MARC Station Farmer's Mkt within walking distance)...are you at all familiar with Sub*Urban Trading Company?

http://suburbantrading.com/

My good friends Andre Cavallero and his Mom, Allison's place in the Johnson's Garden Center development just past the Post Office.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

What the hell with the weather today? Got off the commuter and started walking towards work into a 15mph brisk breeze on July 29th.

 

[dgreen]

What the hell with the weather today? Got off the commuter and started walking towards work into a 15mph brisk breeze on July 29th.

Slept with the windows open last night. Perfect weather.

 

[Swing 51]

What the hell with the weather today? Got off the commuter and started walking towards work into a 15mph brisk breeze on July 29th.

Slept with the windows open last night. Perfect weather.

We are on an incredible run. Turned the AC off in late July for the first time ever I think.

 

[Disco Stu]

Why not just rent the car in DC and drive to Philly, especially if you're going back there at the end? Seems like it would be easier and cheaper, and wouldn't really take any longer.

Metro to the Nats game is really easy, that's no problem.

Going back to DC in the end? We're not. Flying out of Philly.

There is some appeal to the train in and of itself, because my son hasn't been on a train before. He's excited about that. Subway too. He has only ridden the above ground rail system here in Dallas.

See you at the game Saturday?