Pizzeria Paradiso -- Their Name Says it All

I am not a pizza connoisseur. I tend to enjoy it anyway it is served—hot, cold, thin crust or deep dish. That being said, I can appreciate a good pie when I have one, and that is exactly what Pizzeria Paradiso delivers.

What differentiates the pizza here is the crust. They cook all of their pizza in a wood-burning stone oven, visible to all in the front of the restaurant. It is their crispy-on-the outside, warm-on-the-inside brick oven taste, complemented by an array of fresh toppings that makes their pizza so good. I ordered the Margherita 12 inch, adding some red peppers and black olives. It was excellent. To drink, they have an ample selection of wines and an extensive collection of imported bottled beer. They also have beer on tap if you are so inclined.

They have two locations, in Georgetown on M Street and in Dupont Circle on P Street. I dined at the Dupont Circle location, which will be moving next door to a larger venue still under construction.

The service is excellent, and the restaurant is popular enough that there is often a wait for a table. Still, they have good turnover, and despite not having a table, and being fourth in line, my girlfriend and I were seated in no more than ten minutes. The excellent pizza, selection of drink, and reasonable prices make Pizzeria Paradiso a great place to meet friends, or for a casual date.

Filomena - A Great Value In Georgetown

Perched off of Wisconsin Avenue, Filomena's in the heart of Georgetown. My experience with Georgetown Restaurants has been that they are usually good but overpriced. The food at Filomena's is excellent, and although the price tag is comparable to other local restaurants, the portions are massive making it an exceptional value.

Filomena's has an array of appetizers. I can personally vouch for the "Bruschette Con Pomodoro" and the "Scampi alla Zia Katie" both of which were excellent. For an entree, the "Pollo alla Parmigiana" is outstanding. The chicken is tender, served breaded and piping hot under a salty tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. The serving is so large, I could only try the side of penne pasta--also very good.

They have a relatively extensive list of Italian wines--especially red. Personally, I enjoy their Chianti and Sangiovese based selections. And after dinner, you can look forward to a complementary carafe of Sambuca and Amaretto complete with coffee beans. And if you have any room left in your stomach their desert list looks amazing. I have yet to try one.

The atmosphere at Filomena's is quite festive. The small unassuming entryway belies the open and grandiose interior. Situated to the right of the entrance is a small room where their "Pasta Mama's" handmake the pasta--adding to the Italian flavor. Their dining floor decor borders on intrusive but adheres to the current Holiday theme and is jovial. Currently they are decked out for Valentines Day. My only complaint, politics aside, is that the stuffed donkey at the entrance overshadows the hospitable maitre de. But I suspect they will take it down after the novelty of the new administration diminishes.

Overall, Filomena's is an excellent venue for a date, a business meeting, or a get-together with friends. Your experience will justify why it has been voted DC's best Italian restaurant three years running.

Proof - For Whom?

From the exposed brick to the wide-plank floors to the pewter bar, Proof does not lack character. As you make your way through the double glass doors you are transplanted into an interesting combination of a rural wine tasting room and chic lounge--elegant yet rustic. Here, Sonoma Valley meets New York, and it does so in a most unexpected place--Penn Quarter, Washington DC.

There is a little of everything for everyone at Proof. Wine connoisseurs can indulge in an extensive wine selection, kept fresh with the Enomatic wine machine. A vast selection of cheeses complements their collection of over 1,000 wines. If you are not a wine afficianado there is a bar and a selection of beer. And although they are not nearly as extensive as their wine list, beer drinkers can indulge in a high glass of Delirium Tremens, a Belgian strong ale that I highly recommend.

Above the bar is a series of plasma televisions that transmit images from the American Art Museum--it's neighbor. It is an odd form of entertainment, perhaps catering to it's "cultured" crowd. Personally, I feel like it offers an unecessary distraction from the Enomatic wine machine below which is far more interesting.

If you carry an appetite for more than just wine and cheese, their dinner menu includes an array of meat entrees--seafood, pork, duck, steak, and chicken, complemented by a number of appetizing sides.

The result? Proof offers a great venue for a couple with diverse tastes. Chic and elegant, it appeals to those looking for a "cultural" experience, but it is balanced with a menu offering substance for the hungry patron. Make no mistake about it--this dichotomy has been meticulously planned, and for better or worse, Proof's marketing is along gender lines. You need to look no further than the risque posters hanging at eye level in the men's bathroom. Even the restroom sign illustrates this--as a mischievous male character looks over the stall next to him where a female is perched.

The message is NOT so subtle. Men, you can bring your girl to Proof and give her the cultured and elegant evening she desires, and yet leave satiated, in stomach and spirit.