Wednesday, August 31, 2011

DC Gets a taste of the Pi Today!

Photos by Emily Clack
Thanks to President Obama's love of Pi pizza, owner Chris Sommers, is giving DC residents a taste of a St. Louis sensation this Wednesday, August 31st.  Obama first tasted Pi pizza after a rally in St. Louis right before the election. He liked it so much that Reggie Love (one of my favorite Duke basketball players and Obama's assistant) invited the Pi team into the White House to make pizza for everyone.  

When I'm not in DC, you can find me in St. Louie, where I was born and raised.  My former area code 314 helped create the name Pi (3.14, pizza pie and our phone numbers).  After scoping out the market, Chris settled on opening the first DC location in Penn Quarter.  You may have already tried the pizza if you found the Pi on Wheels truck that launched this past February.  

Wait until you see the space...it is big and beautiful!  We like lots of space back in the Midwest and you'll be able to tell when you go into Pi's 7,000 square feet pizzeria seating 200 people. 

Pi even has a mezzanine level seating 50 that would be perfect for private parties.   Potomac Construction Services did an amazing job with the project.  

In the second phase of construction, Pi will add a lower level speakeasy focusing on classic cocktails. 

Chris was living out in San Fran working in finance and technology when he fell in love with Little Star pizza.  This pizza must have made an impression because Chris switched professions and began consulting with the owners to recreate their deep dish cornmeal crust.  He convinced long-time friend,  Frank Uible, to help him start Pi.  

Pi is best known for their cornmeal deep dish, but they also make thin crust pizza too.  

We made our own deep dish with bacon, fresh mozzarella, artichokes and mushrooms.  Yum! 

We also tasted the east loop with mozzarella, pesto, roasted chicken, mushrooms and onion, and the north beach classico with mozzarella, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green bell peppers.  The north beach was one of my favorites.

Don't forget the snacks: 

marinated cucumbers with thai chili 3

roasted mushrooms with roasted garlic and rosemary 4
marinated olives with orange 4

fresh mozzarella with sun dried tomato and arugula 5

genoa salami with roasted red peppers 5

prosciutto with artichokes and mint 6

bruschetta with cherry tomatoes, basil and asaigo 5

Wash your pizza down with one of the 24 different draft handles including 4 from St. Louis' Schlafly brewery, including the Pi Common beer. Head into the District of Pi open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

(202) 393-5484
Penn Quarter
910 F St. NW
Washington, DC 20004
www.pi-dc.com/locations/
District of Pi on Urbanspoon

3 comments:

Lisa Shapiro said...

I love the Pi (3.14) connection to the St. Louis area code. I had no idea. I can't wait to try it out.

Capital Cooking said...

Let me know when you want to and I can introduce you to Chris:)

huss441@sbcglobal.net said...

Hi Chris Sommers!
The restaurant looks great, so happy for you guys. Love how your staying true to your upbringing and making all those St. Louis connections to the D.C. location. I am sure your godmother has given a shout to our Aunt Mary and the Baker, Botts Law Firm in DC. We will have to make them all part of the Pi Love Fest!!
Mary Huss
Family Friend
St. Louis, Missouri