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| Stanley pizza |
Ping pong and pizza? Not your classic combination, but one that works to perfection in the form of Comet Ping Pong at the corner of Connecticut and Nebraska Avenues. Comet remains one of my favorite places to feast on top quality pizza, and my latest visit did nothing to change that opinion.
There are no pretenses to Comet, beginning with their neighborhood location. How can there be, especially when you're greeted by diners playing ping pong in front of and inside the restaurant? That theme continues to Comet's playful menu, highlighted by a collection of pies that currently rank #5 on our Top 5 list of best pizzerias.
A nice guy at the door offered me a choice of where to sit (how refreshing) and even a bit of small talk. I parked myself near the front, at one of several mini ping pong tables (minus the net) with uncomfortable seats... lacquered park benches with almost painful back "rests." My server Marshall came over with a glass of water and took an order for a Stanley (House-made Italian Fennel Sausage, Comet Sauce, Mozzarella & Roasted Peppers for $14) an appetizer of Comet's Hot Wings for $6 and a can of Dr. Brown's Cream Soda for a buck-fifty.
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| Comet's Hot Wings w/ dipping sauce |
Before I could try to get comfortable, my wings arrived in less than two minutes. At least two of the six were burned beyond recognition, and I have to question how long they were sitting before being sent to my table. Wings are wings, and Comet's tasted fine I suppose. They were incredibly sticky however, and required a trip to the restroom (wet wipes would be nice) which is an adventure in itself. Where are they, and how do you open the door? Don't be afraid to ask, since it's kind of creepy to feel around a wooden door with no handle.
My hands cleansed, I came back to find my pizza waiting for me. The Stanley is gorgeous to look at. Big pieces of fennel sausage, gooey cheese that's to die for, and a delicious crust that leaves a dusting of char in your hands. Luckily, I knew where the bathroom was this time.
The pie's sauce is hard to detect, and the crust (while delicious) is flimsy and subsequently difficult to handle. This particular pie had a disproportionate amount of crust near the edges. That said, I still loved it: There's a reason it top-five material.
Service was quick and attentive. I'd have stayed longer; but I heard 'Can we have a high chair?' from the guests seated behind me, and took that as my cue to leave. Buyer beware: Comet is family and kid friendly, so don't expect to be overtaken by comforting silence. I've literally turned around and left before sitting down... i.e. a kid's birthday party a month ago. Yikes. But if pizza is your mission, you won't ever leave disappointed: Comet makes some of the best in town.
