Underrated pizza joints worth a try

June 22, 12:09 PMDC Restaurant ExaminerChrissy Skudera

Ella’s Pizza, located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood, creates some of the tastiest Neapolitan-style pizzas in the city. These wood-fired pizzas are light and crispy and Ella’s small outdoor dining area is a perfect spot to enjoy them, whether it’s a personal-sized pie or one big enough for sharing.

For those who enjoy a traditional pizza, try the margherita with buffalo mozzarella, basil, tomato sauce and little bit of olive oil and sea salt. The sauce is simple with a great sun-ripened tomato taste and the cheese is rich, yet delicate in taste. Every ingredient tastes of high quality, and the aroma will make your mouth water.

Meat lovers have many options, including traditional pepperoni or sausage, but also a few more interesting ones such as the sopressata (sausage, fennel, roasted red peppers, parmesan and tomato sauce) and the polpotini (Ella’s meatballs, leeks, tomato sauce and parmesan). Both are sure to delight the senses as well as the taste buds.

Not into meat? Ella’s offers a few veggie pizzas, such as the verdure with roasted artichokes and roasted garlic puree, and the melanzane with yellow peppers, eggplant and goat cheese. The vegetables are full of flavor and the crispy, smoky crust compliments them nicely.

Another pizza joint still below the radar is Red Rocks located in Columbia Heights. A short walk from the Columbia Heights metro, this converted rowhouse offers up indoor and outdoor dining at affordable prices. In addition to its brick-oven red pizza selections (with tomato sauce), Red Rocks also offers a pleasing selection of white pizzas (without tomato sauce). Red Rocks is proud to use a blend of "Caputo oo" Italian flour, known as the world's best pizza flour, as well as imported San Marzano and Sinatra tomatoes, fresh cheeses and herbs.

While these pizzas may be enough to feed one person, technically they are not personal-sized. Sharing or not, you’ll be pleased with the classic pepperoni or margherita pizzas, but for something a little different, try the chicken and broccolini white pizza. While broccolini is naturally bitter, the tender roasted chicken combined with parmesan and mozzarella make the broccolini surprising enjoyable. Another white pizza, the pomodori secchi, includes generous portions of ricotta and roasted red peppers, along with fresh mozzarella and a swirl of olive oil.

This hidden hotspot also offers up a simply delicious tiramisu. The portion is big enough to share and the mascarpone is thickly layered between Savoiardi biscuits soaked in coffee and Khalua. With cocoa powder sprinkled on top, it’s a delicious way to end a casual evening out.

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, give Ella’s and Red Rocks a try. Your stomach will thank you.
 

For more info:  Ella's Pizza (202) 638-3434, On 9th between F & G Streets, NW; Red Rocks (202) 506-1402, 11th Street and Park Road, NW.