Thanks to TLC’s show “D.C. Cupcakes,” the Capital has been inundated with shops selling the mini desserts. Cupcakes have graduated from kindergarten snack-day foods to being the “hippest” treat to eat.
Although cupcakes can come in a multitude of flavors and frostings, a cupcake is a cupcake. You know what’s better than a cupcake? Pizza.
Not only is it socially acceptable to eat in large quantities, but, for the adventurous eater, it can come in a million different ways. Stuffed crust, thin crust, deep dish, Chicago, vegetarian… You get the picture.
There are so many pizza places in D.C. that I think the new, “cool” D.C. food should be pizza—not cupcakes. Here is a great place to visit if you’re craving a delicious piece of “pie.”
In the District: H &Pizza
This place is so good, I ate there twice this weekend. Pathetic, I know.
One of my friends told me about this gem—so we wandered up to H street NE on Saturday afternoon to check it out. They don’t deliver or take carry-out orders—so you have to walk in and order your masterpiece. But, I promise, it’s fun.
H &Pizza is located in a modern-looking row house and is just as sleek and modern inside. Think stainless steel and minimalist decor. In addition to the lovely air conditioning that hits you like a wave, the delicious smell of pizza greets you at the door like a savory perfume. I was drooling before I even got to the counter.
The menu has “suggested” pizzas that you can order—amazing pies with names like “Kiss and Fire” that feature spicy tomato sauce AND strawberry balsamic or the “Backyard Garden” with homemade mozzarella, piles of arugula, and lemon vinaigrette. There are nine “suggested” pizzas to choose from—it’s like picking a sports car out of a lineup of Maseratis and Ferraris. Can you go wrong? Probably not.
However, if you’re feeling more creative, you can pick your sauce (ranging from various marinaras to pesto), proteins (smoked bacon and veal meatballs?!), veggies (I recommend the roasted peppers), and “finishes and oils” (think fresh basil, crumbled feta or goat cheese, and fig marsala). There are 16 finishes to choose from. Whoa.
During meal #1, my friend and I ordered three pizzas: The Maverick, The Backyard Garden, and a “make your own” pizza that contained arugula, roasted red peppers, fresh eggs, and basil — just to name a few toppings.
We chose our own dough: Traditional, Whole-Wheat, or Multi-grain, and watched the staff assemble our pizzas like well-oiled machines. Although it was 100 degrees outside, and probably close to that next to the oven inside, the staff was in the highest of spirits. They told us jokes and made us laugh as the pizzas went into the oven—and enjoyed watching us drool as they reappeared—ready to eat.
We took our pizzas to go—and headed home to devour the contents of the boxes.
Note: I am a petite person—which means my stomach is also fairly small. I ate 1.5 of these pizzas. A unique thing about H and Pizza’s pizzas is that they are oblong. Think the length and width of a keyboard—about 1.5 feet long and a half foot wide of pure deliciousness. To be frank, half of one would be filling—let alone a pizza and a half. I was proud of myself.
Meal #2, Same friend, next day.
We decided to give H &Pizza our business a second day in a row. Another note: I had finished the remaining leftovers for lunch earlier that morning…so this was pizza meal #2 of the day. Nevertheless, two hours later, there we were, trekking up to H Street.
This time, I ordered a “Kiss and Fire.” This pizza was spicy and sweet—a perfect blend of flavors fitting of its name. I honestly have no idea what my friend ordered. Like Liz Gilbert when she was eating pizza in Naples, Italy in the movie Eat, Pray, Love, I was “having a relationship with my pizza.” I didn’t care what my friend ordered—I only had eyes for the deliciousness in MY pizza box.
The staff was as friendly as ever (I secretly hoped nobody recognized us and thought we were pizza gluttons) and the pizza was just as amazing the second day around. Crispy crust, high-quality ingredients and toppings, and authentic grilling that sealed in the juices. Perfection.
Where is it?
1118 H Street NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Who should go?
All pizza lovers or those looking for an artisan twist on one of America’s favorite foods.
All this talk is making me hungry…I might be eating H and Pizza for the third day in a row…
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