NYC & DC | What’s More American than DC & Pizza?

I have a confession to make. This weekend I cheated on NYC with another city. I know this is shocking, but I couldn’t keep it hidden. I spent the weekend in Washington D.C. with my sister and our friend Jessica who lives down there. And, listen, I loved it! Please don’t hold this against me. I was still able to find a little touch of NYC in DC. Check out who I found hanging out at Eastern Market:

We had a ridiculously long day of exploring the Library of Congress, the U.S. Capitol, and Arlington Cemetery – oh, and I need to mention scarfing down a burger and shake at Good Stuff Eatery. This burger joint was started by Top Chef contestant Spike Mendelsohn (who was there and happily handed me my water cup). It was also slightly reminiscent of Shake Shack (read: incredibly juicy and delicious) so I clearly was in heaven. After our marathon day, we went to relax at Jessica’s apartment and but what, to my delight, was on Food Network but “Pizza Wars: NY vs. Chicago”! I admit that I have never been to Chicago and that I actually fell asleep during the Chicago portion of the show, but I obviously have a lot to say about NY Pizza.

My favs (all just a tad better than Michael Scott’s favorite NY Pizza, Sbarro):

Lombardi’s Pizza – Soho – 32 Spring Street – Lombardi’s, founded in 1905, was the first pizzeria in the entire country. That is a pretty big deal. I discovered this establishment three autumns ago while on rotation here for work. Since I love it so much and since it is *so* New York, it was also the first place I shared with my parents and sister the first time they came to visit me last fall. What I really like about Lombardi’s, aside from obviously the taste and the history, is its location on Spring Street, one of my favorite streets in one of my favorite areas of NY. More on Spring Street another time, but I should share now that there is a park right across the street where you can eat your take-out pizza if there is no room to eat in the restaurant (very likely on a weekend).

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria – Brooklyn – 19 Old Fulton Street – If you ever make the (really easy and beautiful) trek over the Brooklyn Bridge, you need to go get Grimaldi’s Pizza on the Brooklyn side. There are also locations in Garden City, Queens, and two in Hoboken, but you’ve got to try the original. Yes, when Aubrey and I went on a Sunday in March we waited in line for almost two hours, but as I’ve explained before, long lines for food are totally worth it!

Lil’ Frankie’s Pizza – East Village – 19 First Ave (and 1st St.) – I’ve been to this gem just twice and both times were well past two in the morning, but this isn’t actually a drunk pizza place, it is a fabulous Italian restaurant that just so happens to be open late night. If you are lucky, you might get to sit next to a couple who has just met in person after meeting online in a Harry Potter chatroom and you can listen in on their conversation. If you are *really* lucky, they will be decked out in full wizard gear.

Adrienne’s Pizzabar (Financial District – 54 Stone Street) – rectangular pizza and lots of handsome investment bankers in suits. ‘Nuff said.

Artichoke Pizza (East Village – 14th St & 2nd Ave and Chelsea – 17th St & 10th Ave) which has pizza with Spinach Artichoke dip on it!!

I’m not even going to mention the place near my work that has free pizza during happy hour. I can’t name it because I’m pretty sure I’m no longer allowed there after accidentally stealing four slices of pizza from a party who actually *ordered and paid for* the pizza, while I thought it was the “free for happy hour” pizza. I haven’t really lived that down at work yet.