THE MEAL
Beers: Cask Ale, Abita Purple Haze
Entree: Smokey Blue Pizza (gorgonzola, wood roasted onions, local smoked bacon, organic tomato sauce, rosemary, aged balsamic glaze)
THOUGHTS
I met up with my best friend from high school to grab a drink on a Friday evening and ended up going to Fire Works Pizza due to the extensive beer list. We walked in and immediately were hit with a packed bar (it was a Friday evening) and a "45-55 minute wait" for a table. Undaunted, we traversed the length of the bar -- weaving/pushing our way through the throngs of people -- to get to the service bar area.
The first thing you notice about Fire Works is the emphasis on the beer. As you walk in through the entrance, you see a glass-plated refrigerator (in which countless kegs of beer are proudly displayed). But it's only when you approach the bar that you realize the serious selections you face when choosing a beer at Fire Works. Handwritten signs tower above the entire length of the bar (approximately 50-75 feet?) identifying numerous beers on tap (as well as the alcohol content and price of each beer). The beer taps line the bar like tin soldiers, awaiting orders.
We immediately focused in on the cask ale selections, of which there were 4 to 6 choices. After ordering what I believe to be an Allagash cask ale, we turned around and discovered that a table in the bar area had just opened up.
While I have been to Fire Works on one previous occasion (ordering appetizers and beer), I had not previously tried their pizza. Seeing as how Fire Works is a pizza joint, why not give their pizza a try? A review of the menu suggests that someone in the kitchen places a premium on local and organic ingredients, devoid of nitrates and other additives.
After perusing their specialty pizzas, I focused in on the Smokey Blue, a gorgonzola/bacon/rosemary/balsamic creation delicately balancing the sweet and savory elements of each ingredient. The premium placed by Fire Works on the quality of ingredients in the pizza was evident. The smokiness of the bacon and powerful flavor of gorgonzola provided a savory base for the pizza, with an aged balsamic glaze adding a tang and bringing to light the natural sweetness of the bacon. The rosemary danced amongst the other flavors, bringing a lightness and a freshness to what might otherwise be considered a fairly heavy pizza. While I would be the first to admit that I have encountered the flavor profiles of the Smokey Blue elsewhere, I do not believe that I have encountered these ingredients in such balance previously. With a perfectly cooked crust, I was thoroughly satisfied with the selection of the Smokey Blue.
After I had a couple of the cask ales, I moved onto Abita's Purple Haze. I had been thinking about the recently opened Bayou Bakery (and all things Louisianan) and insisted on ordering a Purple Haze. I found that the subtle raspberry essence of the Purple Haze enhanced the flavors of the Smokey Blue (amplifying the sweetness of the aged balsamic glaze) and would consider ordering the combination again.
The service at Fire Works was above-average, although our server was a little too friendly. When the server brought the check to the couple sitting at the table next to us*, he commenced talking about how he was single and just recently started putting himself out there. At first, it sounded as though our server was friends with the couple sitting next to us; however, it eventually became apparent that this was not the case (and that the conversation was his awkward attempt at being friendly with his customers). While such conversation may have colored my impression of the service, it certainly provided a memorable story (and I wish him the best in his recent efforts in dating).
After my first visit to Fire Works, I have no doubt that I will return (and, most likely, order another Smokey Blue). This is amongst the best pizza in the DC metropolitan area right now and, with an incredible beer list, visiting this restaurant is a must.
*NB - The couple sitting at the other table was none other than the Nationals' version of Ryan Seacrest, i.e., the leader of the Nat Pack who interviews various fans in the stands throughout the course of the game.
CONCLUSIONS
Food: 8/10
Service: 3/5
Errata: 3/5
Total: 14/20
$$
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