Finally, 2 Amys
My cell pictures appear to be getting worse with the phone's age. But pictures don't matter in this post. My pizza-loving self has finally visited 2 Amys, home of arguably the city's best pizza and possibly among the country's best, so who cares about pix? All I can do is describe taste.
As Monica explained on the drive up Wisconsin Avenue, the "D.O.C." name on the Neapolitan pizzas we would order stood not for a person or a certain District of Columbia (woo) but for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, an official Italian level of quality, which in this case means certified ingredients and cooking techniques and, in a sense, "All your pizza belong to us." Like laws, there are differing rule interpretations and, Monica tells me, occasional scandal. But pizza's world goes on.
About the taste — two major factors. One, the buffalo mozzarella was the best I've ever tasted. Two, the mozzarella's context was perfectly constructed. The dough, basil, oil, tomato, and cherry tomatoes each played a role around the cheese, rising up to complement, chiming in, even gently antagonizing when appropriate. So, you leaned forward.
Other tastes? Before the pizza, we had battered mussels and deviled eggs with caper sauce. Throughout the meal, a D.O.C red. After pizza, a dessert to which 2 Amys devotes a full page, "Sfogliatelle is served with fiore di latte ice cream and is available only on Friday evenings."
Time to go back soon. Next time we bring the chopper.
June 16th, 2010 at 8:57 AM
Yum! I still have yet to try this place and your post has smacked a sense of urgency in me.
June 16th, 2010 at 10:05 AM
I found the DOC claim to be worthless in terms of enjoyment… sort of like when a bar advertises a beer pump: novelty > difference in quality. It reminds me of that new Acura commercial where rich guys are talking about why their specific luxury good is so amazing, yet none of it comes down to quality.
June 16th, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Fair point on the DOC. I tried it at a new place last night, and it was decent pizza but fell way short of 2 Amys.
August 9th, 2010 at 7:51 AM
[...] she got the Filetti. Both disappeared quickly. So good. Lost nothing from the park. I put my pie just behind Two Amys in my rankings, and Katie's I wanted to order in full after I got a taste. Olive oil and [...]
April 9th, 2011 at 6:47 PM
[...] realization was the one I had a year ago at 2Amys, launching my search for an equal margherita. The quest of course sent me too close to the sun, [...]