Ella’s Pizza and a Good News Day

The trouble with Groupons is they pile up and, with safety in numbers, start to taunt you; evidently buying them is easier than using them. So we figured we’d better use one, and that is how we ended up at Ella’s Pizza (on 9th between F and G at Gallery Place) last night for dinner. It was good as always, but I erred in branching out and trying the Lombardi, with caramelized onions and (not enough) gorgonzola. My crust was undercooked, too, as though the oven could only stand so much. It wasn’t bad, but Mrs. Me’s pepperoni pizza, on the other hand, was crisp and blistered and delicious as always (she allowed me to trade one piece of mine for one piece of hers, thank goodness). The lesson: always, always, always get the pepperoni. We also tried the orange and strawberry salad, which we liked, especially the almonds, but it was on the skimpy side.

In other news:

• Dog Bites Man, Then Bites Burgers (i.e., the AP is finally catching on to the trend)
• WaPo food section visits the Supreme Court cafeteria and gives them a serious benchslap — perhaps they felt the sandwiches were too activist?  This is surprising in light of the Court cafeteria’s recent remodel and alleged upgrade. I say stick to the grilled cheese and fries and you’ll be fine.
• I am obsessed with food but Jenny Rosenstrach has me beat (and is giving me ideas…).

And the Wall Street Journal discusses the new National Registry of Picky Eating — we know lots of kids (and cats) who are picky and usually grow out of it, but this is a study of rarer, and more interesting, finicky adults. If you’re over 18 and picky, you can participate in the survey! I don’t even remotely qualify, despite my texture issues (tapioca, raisins), but I look forward to seeing the study results someday.

Tres Leches, Pizza, Carnies

We tried the tres leches cake (successfully distinguishing it from flan this time — Mrs. Me is better about desserts than I am) from Caramelo Bakery (11301 Georgia) and it was good, not great, consistency was right but they added unnecessary strawberry jelly layers. Looked like birthday cake.  We also ate more of their excellent empanadas.

Meanwhile, everyone seems to like Pacci’s Neapolitan Pizza (8113 Georgia) in Silver Spring. We will get there eventually.

Also there’s carny food at the Wheaton Mall’s “Westfield Carnival” through July 4. Just don’t eat too many corn dogs before you get on the Tilt-o-Whirl.

Hollywood East versus the Cupcakes

As is frequently the case on Wednesdays, we soak up some delicious news from our pulpy, fragrant, freshly delivered Wheaton Gazette.

Hollywood East Cafe (the restaurant formerly known as Hollywood East on the Boulevard, formerly formerly as Hollywood East) is about to reopen in the Wheaton Mall (“about” = this month, allegedly), specifically inside the Macy’s garage. Doesn’t seem like an ideal restaurant location, but hope it works out for them, as HE has been on the Wheaton scene for years and generally has done a good job, especially if you can order from the Chinese-language specials boards (which I cannot). Will be interesting to see if they can compete, given the new off-beaten-path location and the new, high-quality competition from New Kam Fong and Wong Gee.

The Gazette article notes HE will be across from “the new children’s pizza shop, Noble Roman’s Pizza and Playland, which [mall market director Sidney] Woods described as a “mini Chuck E. Cheese’s”.”  First I’ve heard of that place — do they have skeeball? If so, Mrs. Me and I will be making a visit ASAP. It was not until this very moment that I realized how sorely Wheaton has lacked skeeball for lo these many years. If the pizza is decent, that would be a strong bonus, but my hopes are not high on that front.

Elsewhere in Gazetteland, the dining review focusus on MoCo purveyors of cupcakes, a trend whose backlash has already arrived and which I never really understood in the first place, but then, in general I’d much prefer an empanada or samosa to any kind of dessert. All the cupcakeries are in Bethesda except Silver Spring’s Cakelove. O-ver-ra-ted, as the sports fans chant. I fully acknowledge that I’m biased against, so maybe my cupcake-loving friend(s) (you know who you are) will comment…

Ella’s Wood-Fired Goodness

Lunch at Ella’s (9th at F) today, something I don’t do often enough.  Pepperoni pizza as usual.  Blistered but not burnt, crisp yet chewy, good flavors, fresh mozzarella, excellent crust-sauce-cheese-topping ratio.  Best pizza in the region right now. (Though I have not been to Comet)