| Address | 4811 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20011 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Mon-Thu; 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Fri & Sat |
| Phone | (202) 829-2090 |
| Website | www.moroniandbrothers.com/ |
I grew up a couple of blocks from where Moroni Brothers is now. This place is a definite benefit to the neighborhood. I've tried nearly all of the pizzas on the menu, love the Diavola.
In addition to them having the best pizza I've ever eaten the Mexican/Salvadoran fare is authentic and delicious. The tortillas taste like someone's grandmother is back there making them. I've only eaten in a couple of times but I've found the staff welcoming and attentive. My dad (who still lives in the neighborhood) is a regular. One Sunday I ran in to grab a couple of pizzas for take out and when my dad went for his usual lunch later that week he showed the staff pictures of my family and they remembered me. The next time I went to pick up an order (this was almost a month later) the hostess remembered me and asked how my dad was.
In addition to the wonderful food, please try one of the breakfast platters (they really will prepare one for your regardless of the time of day), its a community establishment that I hope continues to thrive.
My roommates and I found this spot on Chowhound and decided to take a stroll up there last night. It was a leisurely twenty-minute walk from our home in Columbia Heights. We arrived just past eight to find Moroni's - an unprepossessing spot near a couple of convenience stores and a tiny clothing shop - about half full, and were seated immediately by a reserved but polite hostess. Drinks came quickly - $3.89 for most beers and $4 for my roomie's class of white - and we ordered a mix of food from both their Salvadoran and pizza selections. The three of us shared an order of the fried platanos (plantains) with beans and sour cream (sounds odd, tastes divine), two fresh corn tamales, and the Parma pizza- which has neither Parma ham nor parmesan, but instead sweet red peppers, eggplant, and what we thought might have been a garlic oil brushed onto the thin crust. I have not been this happy at a restaurant for a long time. The combination of cuisines sounds like a weird one, but everything we had simply tasted so good that it seemed to work. All three of us are vegetarians and found a suprising abundance of options - most of the pizzas are veg, and they all looked excellent. (The Salvadoran side of the menu includes more meat-based dishes, including chicken, tripe, and tongue.) By the time came to pay up, our waitress/hostess had warmed to our table and our middling attempts at Spanish (everyone there spoke English), and we waddled out very content. Total before tip came to $42, including 4 drinks. No room for dessert, but have no fear- we'll be back.
Moroni Brothers is a newcomer to upper Georgia Avenue. The restaurant is owned by a husband and wife who learned the art of brick oven pizza as cooks at Pizza Paradiso. The pizza is incredible - thin crisp crust, lively sauce and awesome, fresh toppings.
They could use a little help with decor - table clothes, candles and temperature control - but what it lacks in ambiance, it makes up for with pizza.
They anticipate having a liquor license in late November. Until then, if you want a beer or wine with your pie, grab a takeout menu and order carryout.
A welcome addition to the neighborhood and perhaps the best pizza in Washington!
The pizza was amazing and one of a kind in the Petworth area. Owners Reyna and Denis provide wonderful service and are great to talk to while they prepare the pizza in front of you. Definitely recommend a visit!
