Restaurant Review: Comet Ping Pong

date: Sunday, July 18, 2010
guests: Laura and Diane Cañate
place: 5037 Connecticut Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008
tel: 202.364.0404
hours: Mon 5-9 pm
Tue-Thursday 5-9:30 pm
Fri 5-10:30 pm
Sat 11:30 am-10:30 pm
Sunday 11:30 am-9 pm

Diane and I have been seeing reviews about Comet Ping Pong on our favorite blogs and local magazines, and Food Network's Diners Drive-ins and Dives, so it was time to get out to Friendship Heights and chow down! It was a beautiful sunny afternoon so we decided to enjoy our pies outside, but we definitely checked out the decor first. The open layout makes it easy to watch your pizza bake and beat your roommate at ping pong. Yes, I said roommate. This is definitely a college hangout elevated by semi-gourmet pizzas like "The Softie" that is topped with leeks, softshell crab and old bay, and "The Yalie" that has fresh clams, garlic, melted onions, thyme, and parmesean (inspired by the New England Ivy Leaguers).

I am adventurous, but simple is where pizza shines for me! I ordered a "Tomato Pie" and Diane sampled "The Hottie" topped with pepperoni, jalepeño, fontina and comet sauce (our hostess said is "our snoody way of saying pizza sauce"). Maybe we should have come on a weekend evening, but for me Comet Ping Pong was off their game. My pizza sauce lacked depth of flavor but the crust was fantastic! I found myself nibbling on the crust and leaving the rest on the plate! As for "The Hottie," the jalapeño was fresh, but the pepperoni was one note leaving me a bit disappointed. Besides the crust, the name was the best thing about the pie.

I may try Comet Ping Pong again, but when I want a pie that truly satisfies, I think I will stick with Matchbox.