Georgetown Food Issue

Ledo's Pizza

1721 Wisconsin Ave. | $ out of $$$$

Ledo’s Pizza, another Georgetown favorite, is by far the best cheap pizza in the area. Surpassing Tuscany in quality and Domino’s in unique offerings, Ledo’s justification of its square-shaped pizza is a good indicator of its deliciousness:  “Square ‘cause pizza never cuts corners.” Offering pies with interesting ingredients such as barbeque sauce, chicken and bacon, Ledo’s will satisfy your pizza craving without breaking your bank. Small pizzas start around $9. Not only does Ledo’s have the flaky yet soft crust down pat, but their pizza sauce is delicious — vibrant tomato flavor that isn’t overwhelmed with too many spices.

VEGETARIAN

Sweetgreen

3333 M St. NW | $$ out of $$$$

The brainchild of three Georgetown students, Sweetgreen is not only an eco-friendly haven, but it’s also a vegetarian’s best friend. Serving up local and organic ingredients, such as feta cheese from Mountain View Farms in Virginia and mint from Arc Greenhouse in New Jersey, this shop allows customers to pick from a list of pre-designed salads or to make their own creations. Vegetarians can choose between tofu and falafel, or forgo protein options in favor of more greens, crunch and cheese. With the combination of baked chickpea patties and vibrant lemon tahini dressing, the Chic P salad is just one reason for herbivores to embrace their leaf-eating habits.    

Zenobia

1025 31st St. NW | $$ out of $$$$

Tucked away on 31st Street, Zenobia Lounge is a spot worth seeking out. A multicultural bookstore, cafe and lounge all in one, Zenobia dishes up Middle Eastern culture. Those scanning the menu might be overwhelmed by the selections for carnivores, yet amidst the fatteh beef and chicken shawarma, Zenobia offers a plethora of vegetarian options. Start the meal off with saj, baked flatbread common in Arab countries, topped with choices such as cucumbers, tomatoes, mozzarella and pesto sauce. The crispy falafel combined with the creamy texture of hummus could convince anyone to start taking Arabic lessons just for an excuse to return.

Das

1201 28th St. NW | $$$ out of $$$$

Georgetown has its share of ethnic restaurants, but Das offers something completely different. Formerly known as Zed’s, this Ethiopian restaurant is a favorite among politicians and visiting celebrities. The cuisine is known for its spiciness and its versatility for vegetarians, and one of the best bets on the menu is the vegetarian platter, with spiced lentils, collard greens, split peas and simmered cauliflower. Instead of silverware, diners eat with injera, bread made of teff flour. Just don’t fill up too much on it — once digested, it can actually expand in the stomach and leave overfed diners with a bellyache.

Recommended Dish: Vegetarian Platter — Sampler of the vegetarian entrees.

Neyla

3206 N St. NW | $$$ out of $$$$

Although it specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, the restaurant does not simply serve Greek or Italian food. Rather, Neyla showcases the exotic through the flavors of the Lebanese, Ottoman Turks and Arab tribes. Because they afford the opportunity to sample a variety of flavors, hot and cold mezze are diners’ best options. Had your mother served up cauliflower this way, you might have eaten the vegetable long before trying Neyla’s dish of fried cauliflower with tahini dressing. Even carnivores will love the vegetable kibbeh, squash dumplings with mushrooms and walnuts, elevated to the nines with a drizzle of truffle oil.

UNIQUE EATS

Snap

1062 Thomas Jefferson St. | $ out of $$$$

Bubble tea, crepes and salads — this is the odd collection of delicious food to be found at Snap, hidden on Thomas Jefferson Street next to Baked & Wired. With the recent closure of Crêpe Amour, Snap might just be the best place to get your crepe fix, whether you want savory, like the one with asiago and goat cheese, or a sweet Nutella-filled one. But what makes Snap really unique is that it is one of few places in Georgetown to serve up bubble tea — iced tea with a flavor shot and large, tapioca balls at the bottom. It’s not something everyone will enjoy, and the tapioca’s texture takes some getting used to, but if you give it a chance, you might become addicted.

Paul

1078 Wisconsin Ave. | $$ out of $$$$

Founded in 1889 in France, Paul has U.S. locations in only Florida and the District. Head to Wisconsin Avenue and enjoy an experience that’s uniquely European. In addition to more traditional breads and pastries, Paul has a wide array of salads, sandwiches and soups from soupe a l’oignon (to Americans, French onion soup) to tomato and mozzarella combos. The quiche is cheesy with an abundance of vegetables. Try a macaron, pronounced like the coconut cookie, but very different. They look like vibrant little sandwiches and come in a variety of flavors — the raspberry ones are two pink cookies with raspberry jam in between, the pistachio ones green with a nutty filling. These tasty, delicate creations are the highlight of any trip to Paul: Crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside, they’re like a quick trip to Paris in the middle of a busy week.

DolceZZa

1560 Wisconsin Ave. | $$ out of $$$$

What makes gelato different from plain old ice cream? Besides the Italian name that is a lot more fun to say, DolceZZa’s sweet, artisanal treats have less fat and air than regular ice cream and are kept at a cooler temperature, creating richer, more flavorful concoctions. The available flavors change with each season, since only local, fresh ingredients are used. Right now, the store features flavors as diverse as clementine, Meyer Lemon Vodka and lime cilantro. Thankfully, you can get a scoop of a few different flavors in your cup, creating delicious flavor combinations to share with your friends. You can practically taste the loving care that went into making each flavor so uniquely delicious.