Pizzeria Paradiso: Part Deux (but not as good as “Hot Shots”) 01.22.2011

When my friend Kathryn walked into Pizzeria Paradiso for our lunch date, I held up my green notebook in which I keep restaurant / cooking notes.  The first item:  “Pizzeria Paradiso is dead to me.”  And that was before I had anything to eat.

Pizzeria Paradiso has a policy of not seating you unless your entire party is present.  I understand this, especially when it’s busy.  When I got to the restaurant for lunch at 12:30 p.m. on a Friday, the restaurant was maybe a third filled.  Empty tables everywhere you looked.  I was refused a seat.  I was ready to purchase wine and get the bill rolling, but no.  No seat for me!

So, I sat at the bar with a glass of the 2008 Monferrato Bianco and scribbled in my green notebook:  “Pizzeria Paradiso is dead to me.”

Kathryn arrived, we were seated. 

As you may know, this was my, “I’m-giving-Pizzeria-Paradiso-one-last-chance” visit.  I ordered my usual:  the Atomica with extra red pepper.  I also ordered some focaccia to start.  The bread was fabulous.  It really was.  I swirled it around in a puddle of parmesan cheese, olive oil, and salt, and it was fantastic.   I was starving, yes, but the bread was fresh and oh-so-fluffy.  And, really, what is better than fresh bread and olive oil? 

Kathryn and I went to college together.  We don’t see each other often – work, life, husbands, babies, living in complete opposite parts of town, etc. – but when we do, there is no small talk.  So while we waited for our pizzas – not too long – we got right into our lives – a wonderful thing to happen among friends.  

Our pizzas arrived and I have to say, the Atomica was remarkably better than my last visit to Pizzeria Paradiso.  No skimping on the ingredients and the crust was soft and crisp all at once:  perfect.  I had asked for extra red pepper but it still was not hot enough for me.  I kept sprinkling more hot pepper flakes, never enough to my satisfaction.  Why does my mouth have to be on fire?  Because I am Indian.

Final assessment:  Pizzeria Paradiso is not dead to me: it is in a coma.  I’m going to take a break.  I’ll go back, but not anytime soon.  Not being seated in a mostly-empty restaurant has me vexed.  We live in a world where customer service is crumbling, and I don’t like it.   I respect structure, and for the most part, rules.  I’m not asking for entitlement, but when there are numerous empty tables in a restaurant that does not take reservations, it really is not a big deal to let a paying customer take a seat.

Lunch at Redwood: Butternut Squash Soup 01.18.2011

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with my friend Lee at Redwood Restaurant in downtown Bethesda and have to rave about the butternut squash soup.  If you've never ventured out here, I highly recommend it.  The area has been gussied up with with high end boutiques, reliable brands (Le Crueset, Blue Mercury, Apple, among others), and fantastic eateries ranging from quick-dining restaurants to a gelato shop.  Along Bethesda Lane -- a courtyard saddled by an apartment building -- also sits Redwood Restaurant, which is owned by Jared Rager, who also started Mendicino Grille, Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar, and Blue Ridge. 

I've dined at Redwood a handful of times since it opened and always wish I had more time to spend there.  Redwood promises fresh, organic, locally grown ingredients.  But in addition to the delicious food, the space is open, peaceful, and warm, and conducive to lingering with good wine.  Whenever I've shown up there for dinner, it's packed.  The large bar area is filled with people who I am guessing wanted a table but were happy to settle for a small space to get a bite to eat.

The restaurant also has a bar area tucked away behind a wall where people can eat on a first-come, first served basis.  Eric and I have eaten in this area several times and I have to say, it's really nice.  Romantic even.

During my lunch with Lee, I started with the butternut squash soup. I got a cup, which was a mistake.  I should have ordered a bowl, a few slices of bread, and called it a day.  The soup was not too thick and was topped with truffle butter (swoon) and chives.  And -- are you ready? -- beautiful, gorgeous, delicious chestnuts.  I loved each bite into each chestnut.  I've eaten a lot of things in my life that were chestnut flavored or eaten food with ground chestnut, but never an actual chestnut.  I know:  it's crazy.  But now, I'm sold:  whole chestnuts.

And had I not had a pile of work waiting for me after lunch, I would have had a glass of red wine with my meal.  Alas, work. 

Gastronomic Goal No. 1 for 2011:  Make time to linger at Redwood.