&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?

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

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