&pizza... Yes, Please!

&pizza (pronounced "and pizza") is an American fast-casual restaurant chain, with over 30 locations in Washington, D.C., Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Miami and Virginia.  They sell personal and customizable oblong-shaped pizza. They tailor each location to its neighborhood, with local artists designing the interiors.

The Washington Post called the restaurant "the pizza shop for the 21st century", describing it as Chipotle for pizza" and was on the Fast Company World's Most Innovative Companies 2018 list. Buzz Feed calls them next generation of pizza.

That’s all well and good. I’m happy for all the accolades this Washington, DC franchise has received. But, what I love the most about this company is its commitment to paying a living wage to its employees. Bravo!

And, they give any employee who willing to ink the ampersand a free tattoo. How cool is that?

I’m fortunate to have an &pizza one block away from our condo. Doug and I love the customization of each pie. We watch our pizza being made each step of the way. So fill’er up with our favorite toppings and the magic happens. The pie goes in the specialty oven and comes out in minutes. The crust is perfect! But it’s not over. You walk to another bar and choose even more topping. Even an Italian visiting our fair city would approve! Well, maybe more toppings than they are used to in Rome, but it is delicious.

If you are visiting DC enter &pizza in your map app and you’ll find a location near you. Or, both Dulles and Reagan National airports have branches. Why not customize one for the road? This Washington, DC franchise will provide one more memory for your journey home.

I snapped a photo of our recent meal. Isn’t their branding awesome? Can you guess what our toppings were?

Their branding is stellar!

Customizable toppings! Can you guess what is on this pie?

Library of Congress

Many visitors who come to my city neglect to put the Library of Congress on their itinerary.

Big mistake!

To me, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in Washington, DC. I like to go and sit on a bench and simply stare at the ceiling. Everywhere you look is beauty and inspiration.

And when you do go, take a moment to visit the Jefferson Library exhibit. It’s worth a short stroll to look at all of the titles.

I posted some pictures of a recent “Freedom Friday” date with Doug.

Rothko in DC

The National Gallery’s East Building here in DC is the guardian of over 1,000 Rothko works in 1986 when the Rothko Foundation gave the museum the bulk of the artist’s remaining estate.  It's quite the treasure.  It's worth a return trip because one never knows what will be on display.  

Today Janelle and I took a day off to recharge our souls with art.  This slice of heaven never disappoints!   

Does anyone know what this is?

There is a farmers market across my street every Wednesday and Saturday. 

Local farmers bring all kinds of surprises! 

Hint:  it's a cucumber variety.

Happy 4th of July from DC

So this was happening in my neighborhood till the wee hours of the morning.

I don't think there is another city in the US that celebrates as well as the DC metro area. From our rooftop, you could see fireworks on full display 360 degrees long after the National Fireworks finished. It was spectacular!  

On eating alone

Some people have a hard time going to a restaurant and eating alone.  But I quite enjoy it! 

I sit at the bar, people watch and happily enjoy a favorite dish I don't have to share.  If you are visiting DC may I suggest the octopus at Zaytinya?  They do an outstanding job! 

Many friends who have told us "oh, I don't like octopus!" have changed their mind after sampling it here.   If you go, let me know what you think.

Living Life Backwards

When I was in my early 30's Doug and I built a 5000 sq. ft dream home.  A decade later we built a 3500 sq. ft home.  One decade later and today we live in a one bedroom, open-plan condo that's less than 780 sq. ft.   BUT, we do have a killer 15 x 30 ft terrace overlooking the city!   

Normally people start small then gravitate to the large dream house.  

I guess you could say we have been living life backward.  <best said in Spanish:  al reves!>  But I have never been happier!

When we moved I knew it would require some new organizational skills.  I decided to start by moving only the essentials and only bring things to decorate this new home that absolutely made me happy to look at.  I wanted to surround myself with the things I most missed from our other home.  What a luxury to curate from nearly 35 years of married life!  I am happy to say that not a day goes by that I don't wake up grateful for this cozy place I call home. 

From time-to-time, I'll share parts of our home with you.  I'll share my love of "found objects" that make me smile.  Each little reminders of people I love or places I've been.  I'll tell the story of how that treasure ended up on my shelf.  So for now enjoy these pictures of our shelves in our living room.  Let me know what you're curious about and I'll start there.  

New Dim Sum in DC!

I have been craving some good dim sum lately.  I remember taking the kids to a little place in DC's Chinatown full of bustling carts, smells of Hong Kong, and large round tables with lazy susans.  Sadly, it's been knocked down to make room for a high-rise apartment building.

So I decided to google dim sum DC and see if there was someplace still serving dim sum with carts.  Alas!  Let me just say, I love 'the google'!  and I love my neighborhood!  Just down 14th Street, I found dim sum mecca!  

Every day, from 10am to 3pm, Da Hong Pao serves traditional dim sum with push carts.  To me, that's the best part.  You see what they're serving and you point.  Makes it easy when you don't know Chinese or what the dishes are.   

I'm going to have to go back for dinner.  The menu has over 300 items.  Including whole Peking duck, countless noodle dishes, and every possible protein.  Come on, they have an entire menu section dedicated to abalone and sea cucumber for crying out loud!  Not to mention the goose feet, jellyfish, duck tongue, frog... just to name a few delicacies.  Or, you can order fresh lobster or fish from the fish tank near the entrance.  They'll pluck it straight from the water for your meal. So what are you waiting for?  

Go!   I highly recommend the smoked duck.

at Da Hong Pao, 1409 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005   

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National Portrait Gallery Exhibit

I saw this image on a poster while waiting for the metro.  It caught my attention and so I told Doug I wanted to go and see the exhibit at the National Portrait Gallery.  We decided to make it a date and go to see it after church.  Wow!  were we in for a surprise.

One of the best parts of living in DC is the plethora of free museums.  By living here I have the luxury of stopping by to see a small section of a collection vs wearing out my feet because I only have one day to see it all.  The trick is planning, making room in my schedule, and not forgetting I have a treasure in my yard waiting for me to visit is.  

What I didn't know was that every three years artists from around the country are invited to "investigate the art of portrayal".  The scope of the work was breathtaking.  You can take a look.  The exhibits ends January 8, 2017.  If you're in DC add this to your cultural 'to-do' list.