Downtown – K St. for Pizza and a Dive

 

            We headed downtown minus two this month to Pizza Rock and Dive Bar.  They sit next door to each other on the K Street Mall.  Everyone and their brother has thrown money at the mall since they cemented the street and stopped cruising in the 70's.  It has never thrived and the attempts to clean it up are not usually successful.  I pass these places twice a day on my light rail commute.  In the morning, they are being power washed to remove the night.  In the evening, couples sit outside and wish they weren’t so close to the sidewalk, light rail and street people.  It doesn’t seem to be a comfortable patio dining experience. 

            How trendy is a bar where a Mermaid swims in a giant aquarium, blowing kisses to the 20-30 something guys holding up their IPhones to take her picture?  I loved it!  Really.  I liked the cave like atmosphere mixed with the Disneyesque background including a pirate’s chest and real tropical fish.  It all works when you are looking in a giant aquarium. The building is long and narrow, dark and cool, divided into three areas; an entry with comfy casual seating, the bar and aquarium with mirrors so you have a view of the swim show no matter where you sit, and the back area where you can plug in your IPod and play your tunes.  It was loud, but good music.

            We ordered cocktails, served with goldfish crackers, cute touch.  We asked when the Mermaid would make an appearance and were told that there is no set schedule to keep it spontaneous.  Then, she appeared.  Haltingly pretty with a killer body. It was hard not to think that she needed a good meal, as her ribs were visible.  She swam, like a Mermaid, turning and waving to the crowd.  Smiling.  In a purple Mermaid costume. It was dramatic and whimsical all at once.  I liked it a lot.  I would certainly go back for the show.   There is something so magical about it.  Remember, I cry at Hallmark commercials. 

            We left and went next door for pizza.  Louder music there.  It was crowded but we were seated quickly.  We had another Mayor sighting.  We laughed that he was following us around town.  He came in with an entourage and was seated at a large table in the middle of the restaurant.  He left before we did.

            With a perfect view of the pizza oven, a Cirigliano imported from Italy, we were primed for pizza.  The pizza oven fire can be seen from outside on the patio.  Inside, the truck hanging out of the wall is impressive.  Also, note the mural by Carlos Lopez on the ceiling.  Pretty cool.  Not a dark restaurant but a bright, lively, loud fun place. I really like the liveliness of this place although it makes conversation a challenge.

            The service, not so great.  One of us ordered a thin crust and got a thick crust and the waiter discouraged her from re-ordering because it would take too long.  To me, that was his problem not hers.  He should have fixed it.  I had the Margherita, which won Tony Gemignani the Pizza World Cup in Italy in 2007.  He won on 6-13-07.  They have a rule that they only make 73 per day using the formula.  6 + 1 = 7 and kept the 3 for 73.  New math.  I don’t care how they figure it, the pizza was so good.  Just San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, evoo and sea salt.  So simple, pure and delish.  I would go back and try some of the others.  We all liked the pizza. And the place.  And the Mermaid.