Pizza 'Pinions celebrates a year!

We officially have been at the pizza eating and critiquing business for a year.   We have only cracked the surface of pizza joints in The District but feel like we have covered some ground.  From Comet Ping Pong to 2 Amy's to seeing Pizza Underground at Black Cat, we have covered some miles in the pursuit of amazing pizza.   Below are the winners in the category of best margherita pizza and best specialty pizza.  We cant wait to see what the next year brings!

Margherita pizza in list of best to worst.

1. 2 Amy's: Pizza Pie oh My! all around
2. Etto
3. Radius
4. Pizza Paradiso and U & Pizza
5. Ghibelina
6. Homemade Pizza Co.
7. Comet
8. Ella's and Posto
9. Red Rocks
10. Pete's New Haven

Specialty Pizza in order from best to worst.

1. Radius - Harvard / U&Pizza - Garden 
2. Ghibelina - Salsicce e Cipolla 
3. Pizza Paradiso - Autumn Specialty Pizza
4. Comet Ping Pong - The Smokey
5. Red Rocks - Specialty Funghi / U&Pizza - Moonstruck / Pete's Apizza - Metro North / 2 Amy's - Squash Flower
6. Etto - Eggplant & Posto - Valdostana 
7. Posto - Parma
8. Comet Ping Pong - The Drive 
9. Homemade Pizza Co. - Specialty White Pizza / Ella's - The Bosco

It looks like Radius held its number one spot for the best specialty pizza (refer to six months of pizza post (May 2014).  2 Amy's beat Etto for best margherita pizza.  I am sure that if you poll people in the area who have been to 2 Amy's they will agree and not be shocked with the results for best margherita pizza! 

Pete's New Haven Pizza

What: Pete's New Haven
Where: 1400 14th St NW Washington, DC

When: November 12, 2013

I think that we put off writing this post because the pizza was not our favorite.  It was not memorable and as a result it seemed hard to write a blog about food that was just 'eh.'  

Pete's New Haven style pizza has several locations.  We decided to go to the one in Columbia Heights.  I have been to the one in Friendship Heights several times and it is always packed. Every time I have been to the Friendship Heights location I have enjoyed the pizza and atmosphere.  I was shocked when I did not have the same experience at the Columbia Heights location.

Before we talk about how the pizza was I think that it is important to talk about what New Haven pizza is. "What makes New Haven style pizza distinct is its thin, oblong crust, characteristic charring, chewy texture, and limited use of melting cheeses. It tends to be drier and thicker than, but closely related to, traditional New York style pizza. Both styles in turn are close descendants of the original Neapolitan style."  (www.wikipedia.com October 2014) I am from CT and I am sad to say that I have never had a New Haven style pizza until now, in DC.  

The four of us made it despite the cold DC weather.  At Pete's New Haven you go up to the counter and place your order (both food and drinks).  They give you numbers and then they will then bring your food to your table.  It is a cross between a sit down and fast food restaurant.

Margherita Pizza

Metro North

        Courtney unsure of Pete's New Haven Pizza.  

Crust Comments: 
Courtney: "Good texture and sturdiness, but no real flavor. The crust was cooked to a good golden color but it got harder as it cooled down."

Jenn: "Soooo...whatever."

Catherine: "The crust was okay. It was neither bad nor amazing. I felt ambivalent about it and therefore, do not have much more to say about it."

Sauce Comments: 
Courtney: "The red sauce on the Margherita pizza had no flavor. Our second pizza was a white pizza was much more flavorful, but I don't know how much was from the sauce."

Jenn: "Not that interesting to me."

Catherine: "The sauce tasted like canned tomato sauce to me. There wasnt much flavor and provided more of a smooth texture under the cheese."

Toppings Comments: 
Courtney: "The cheese on the margherita pizza was disappointing. I like large pieces of fresh mozerella, this pizza had grated mozzarella sprinkled across the entire pizza. The basil was chopped up, which got better coverage, but just so-so flavor. The specialty pizza, Metro North, had pulled pork, pancetta, caramelized onion, and thyme. The pancetta was flavorful and delicious. The caramelized onions were perfectly cooked and delicious. The pork seemed dry and unnecessary."

Jenn: "Pretty standard, unimpressive."

Catherine: "The Metro North toppings were pancetta, pulled pork, thyme and carmalized onions. Every topping surprisingly went well together although at first glance seemed like a weird mixture. The pancetta was amazing and I made a note to add pancetta to my topping repetroie. I liked that the pulled pork was crisp however, it lacked flavor and was dry."

Pizza: 
Margherita Pizza
Courtney: one slice
Jenn: one slice
Catherine: one slice

Metro North
Courtney: quarter pie
Jenn: one slice
Catherine: quarter pie


Overall Thoughts: 
Courtney: "Pizza came fast and employees were quick to help and friendly. Making extra conversation when dropping off food and walking by."

Jenn: "It was fine for what it was, I guess."

Catherine: "Great staff and the food came quick."

All and all Pete's is not the best pizza place in town but if you need to grab a quick slice it will do...just don't get the margherita. 

     

Posto

What: Posto
When: 09/08/14
Where: 1515 14th St NW, Washington, 20005

 Jenn and Courtney waiting for the rest of the group.

Posto.  If you live in NW you know about it as it has been on 14th street long before the restaurant BOOM that is currently happening.   I have been to Posto many times because it has a favorite DC dish of mine, veal ragu.  I was worried that I would not be able to get pizza because I love the veal ragu so much (did I already say that?). 


We decided to get three pizzas which was perfect for four people.  

From bottom to top: 
Valdostana — tomato sauce, mozzarella, fontina cheese, ham, wild mushrooms $17

Parma — mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, organic arugula, prosciutto, shaved parmesan $17

Margarita Pizza. 

Here are our scores: 

Valdostana: 
Courtney-quarter pie

Example of the pizza crust.

Jenn-half pie

Catherine-half pie

Parma: 
Courtney- quarter pie
Jenn-half pie
Catherine- quarter pie

Margarita:
Courtney-two slices
Jenn-half pie
Catherine-half pie


Courtney's notes: 

• Good flavor and sturdy. I was able to pick up the pizza slice and eat it from the beginning. I don't mind using a fork and knife, but its nice to just use my hands.
• The sauce didi not have much flavor, pretty thin 
• The mozzarella was delicious on all three pizzas. The ham had a nice saltiness to it as did the proscuitto. The arugula on the pizza was the best I've ever had. Usually the arugula is dry and piled high in the middle. This pizza had a dressing on the arugula which made it more tasty and kept it from going all over the place. They also spread it all over the pizza instead of a messy mound in the middle.
• The restaurant's atmosphere has a more modern/artsy decor, which isn't my style but is nice. The noise level was lower than a lot of places we have gone, which made it great for conversation. A good date spot.
• They gave us each a plate of olive oil, which was nice.  
• Best for: Date night
• It Factor: Wine list

Catherine's notes: 

• Sauce: flavorful and smooth. I thought I loved 2 Amy's sauce but I think that Posto's was a tad better
• Crust: surprisingly thin and delicious
• Toppings: They were great. The ham and prosciutto were surprisingly delicious on the pizzas, it added a little salt that you didn't know you needed. I enjoyed the arugula. Sometimes you get too much arugula on your pizza however, I felt like it was the perfect amount.
• Atmosphere: It was perfect. A lot of space and has outdoor seating.
• Best for: All occasions. The pizza is delicious. I see it as a great place to take your parents when they are in town.
• It factor: cheese pizza
• Overall: I was surprised about how much I enjoyed their pizza.

Jenn's notes: 

• Overall, the pizza was good but not amazed by it.  
• Service was kind of terrible. 
• Ambiance chill. 

Now when I go to Posto I am going to have a hard decision on whether to order the veal ragu or a pizza.