Hskorz

Two more cents: The slices at the the Georgetown Bagelry (I think that's the name) are actually quite good, though not of the gourmet variety. There is also an italian cafeteria style place on 17th below M I think where I've had the best no-frills pizza in DC. I'll have to go back to Paradiso (which is a different class of pizza than those mentioned above). I always feel like I'm getting a little ripped off there. And I'll definitely be trying Ella's soon. And probably 2 Amys.

Has no one even mentioned any Ethiopian or Salvadorian food yet? That is what we got that most other cities in the U.S. do not, tons of it. Just to make it easy on you, get a pupusa at this Salvadorian joint on 14th between the Thomas circle and Vermont (near hamburger Mary's) and then go up the street two blocks to get a veggie combination platter and a Harare (beer) at Lalibela's. Then you will be full and happy. Ben's chili bowl is another great suggestion, up on U St between 11th and 12th. You can take the 14th street bridge off of the GW parkway. Or take 395 to 12th St and cut over to 14th. Good Luck.

Yeah, AV is still around. I've always wondered about Otello, maybe I'll check it out Oh, and thanks for the link, Bilrus. For some reason, my search capabilities are nil.

Is Vace's that italian deli type place? I haven't been too impressed with it, though it's not bad, and I haven't been in a while. And Don, where is Alberto's?

Although I've heard mixed things about Bobby Vans, I had a superb meal there. Everything was great, the old fashioned sour was mixed to perfection, the tomato and onion salad, the hash brown was outstanding, the creamed spinach may have been the least inspired and the rare porterhouse for two was perfect. The chocolate thing I had afterwords was fantastic as well. I read the service was getting shabby there, but that was not my experience. Our waiter almost knocked someone over rushing to the table when I so much as lifted a finger.

I find the pizza situation in DC similar to the Italian food situation - that is, decent pizza and Italian can only be found in fine dining establishments. I haven't been to Italy, so perhaps these fine restaurants offer cuisine more akin to the homeland. But in my experience, growing up in Boston, Italian is a big heavy comfort food and there are no airs about it. DC just doesn't have those joe schmoe joints you can walk into and get great pizza or italian food. (I'm sure it has to do with the evolution of the city; Boston, NY, B-more all had heavy Italian influx where most of the Italian in DC is transplanted.) AV room (on NY ave) might be the closest thing to an exception. The pizza there is okay and they have a sausage dish I really like. But really, you have to go to Baltimore to find good working-class Italian. Even in the realm of upscale pizza, Pizzaria Paradiso doesn't compare in quality (not as good) or price (more expensive) to any of the coal oven pizza joints found four hours to the north. I always get excited for Pizzaria Paradiso and then I leave feeling duped. Anyone know of any good low-brow Italian or pizza in town? There is a little lunch joint on 17th below M that as I recall has very good pizza. I don't mean to rehash the old naysayer DC-no-pizza-bagels discussion, and I do appreciate the local cuisine (Ethiopian and Salvadorian). It's just the Italian.