Larry Ponzi once earned his paycheck as the culinary director at the Smithsonian. But in 2007, he traded that life to follow his passion: pizza. Café Pizzaiolo opened to rave reviews in Crystal City, an area that lacked many respectable pies. So late last year, Ponzi expanded his burgeoning Italian empire with a second location in Del Ray. Its strip-mall surroundings belie its culinary aspirations — its neighbors are the well-respected Bombay Curry Company and Del Merei Grille.
The Scene: Pizzaiolo comprises two rooms. The café, to the right, is a do-it-yourself décor special, featuring walls painted red and sage, spray-painted light fixtures and chalkboards — telling of the day’s beer, wine and dessert selections — cleverly recessed into the walls. At any time of day, you can find some of Del Ray’s young families congregating here. On the left, you’ll find the bar area, quite a bit darker with TVs, high-top tables and, for a few more months anyway, smoking!
