Sietsema concludes: “RedRocks has some details to fine-tune. Pacing is one of them. Chances are high that you’ll be eating your appetizer when your entree appears. Variety — easy on the carbs, please — is another issue. On the other hand, pizza is the purpose, and RedRocks, with a tweak here and a more generous hand there, could well become a destination for other than just its neighbors.”
Read the full article here.
So after a number of emails from readers I returned to Moroni & Brothers for pizza this weekend. Moroni & Brothers is located at 4811 Georgia Ave. NW. I think it is very telling that the owner (perhaps one of the nicest people in the business) has written to Petworth News to ask the community for suggestions on improvements. And I’d have to agree with most commenters – the pizza needs no improvement. The crust really is exceptional. I officially and publicly shall concur that the pizza is superior to Red Rocks. But I still feel that Red Rocks has a superior dining area and of course outdoor patio. Thankfully, I think there is room for both pizza joints. I have no doubt that Moroni & Brothers pizza will become a Petworth institution in no time.
Read the full article here.
A sample:”The focus is pizza, but you don’t have to eat crust to fuel up here. The kitchen also makes bruschetti, panini, salads and a handful of main courses, including a roast fish of the day and golf ball-size meatballs served on runny polenta. And the bar pours refreshing chasers in the form of Chimay Triple and Allagash White beers on tap — among RedRocks’ 30 or so available suds.”
Moroni & Brother’s Restaurant is located at 4811 Georgia Ave. NW . You can see from the picture that the have a brick oven which makes the pizza out of this world. But I have to tell you that I found the menu to be a little confusing. It was odd to see the pizza and the Central American dishes, it seemed as though the restaurant wasn’t quite sure whether it wanted to be a Pizzeria or a Central American restaurant. I suppose if they do both well, than all the better. It pains me to say this but I was a little disappointed. Now, don’t get me wrong, the pizza was great. But if I’m going to get pizza I’m still going to Red Rocks. And if I want a Central American theme I’m still going to El Limeno or El Torgoraz. You can kind of tell from the picture but this place is very spartan and it just didn’t feel very relaxing. The server was super nice and I really wish them well. But for me, when you consider the whole package, Red Rocks is far superior. But that is just me, you should check it out for yourselves. As I live about equidistant from both joints I’m choosing Red Rocks. What do you think? Can both these restaurants survive? I think there is enough distance between them that they should be ok.
All the hype is true! Red Rocks Pizzeria opened tonight and I wept like a baby I was so happy. Before I get to the restaurant let me just say that I think RedRocks represents all that is good and positive about development in Columbia Heights and Petworth. I sat outside and witnessed true diversity. There were Latinos, Whites, Blacks, young and old(er) and plenty of babies. I even spotted Petworth’s very own Bill Crandall and family. It almost felt like a community get together. You could just sense how happy everyone was. Like they had been waiting so long for something like this to come along. And it didn’t disappoint. Of course, there were some minor issues that need to be worked out but on opening night it is to be expected and overall I felt that the experience was sublime.
I started off with a delicious glass of Chimay beer which tasted like what I can only imagine beer tastes like in heaven. I ordered the Napoli pizza which came with anchovies, basil and all the good stuff. For 10 bucks it was delicious and plenty filling. But I think it is the combination of great food and great atmosphere that made the experience so pleasant. I honestly feel like that is the type of restaurant people have been dreaming about. And for the first time in a long time our dreams have finally come true. It is simple but classy, cheap but delicious. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
Red Rocks Pizzeria on the inside. See full post above.
Well, the sign has gone up and it looks awesome. Now it is important that when you say Pizzeria you pronounce it “Pitz-ah-ree-ah”, it has a real nice ring to it when you say it that way. I’ve sent out some feelers to my sources to find out when it will finally open but then I realized that I don’t have sources. Sorry, I’ve been drinking. Anyway, it looks great and I can’t wait to dig into that first piece of pitzah.
You can see the pizza joint at 11th and Park is coming along very nicely. The patio looks terrific and I understand there will be patio seating when Red Rocks opens. As I walked by I had no problem imagining myself sitting there eating a slice a pizza before heading down the street to Wonderland Ballroom. I am wiping a tear from my eye, I am so happy at the prospect.