Pizza, Donuts & Wine

 Image Credit: Pizza Vinoteca

 I know my posts have been few and far between in the last couple of months. But, I just got married!! This means my month-long detox of no desserts and no alcohol is finally O-V-E-R. The wedding was absolutely amazing and everything I ever dreamed of, but now it's back to the swing of normal life. Fortunately, this includes the extremely tough job of trying new wine bars when they open a few blocks away.

 

`Wine Spot: Pizza Vinoteca 
Neighborhood: Ballston 

The Wines: They have a fantastic selection of wines by the glass, and I am absolutely delighted to say they do 3 & 5 oz pours (and bottles of course)! This means I can taste many of the different wines and I'm not stuck drinking a full glass of something I'm not that in love with. 
 
My two favorites are the Nebbiolo Brut Rose from Piedmont, Italy ($5 for 3oz./$8 for a 5oz.) and the Anjou "La Cerisaie" Domaine de la Bergerie, 2011 from Loire, France ($5 for 3oz./$7.5 for a 5oz.) . The Anjou is one of the best reds I've had in a long time. It's silky and light but not too light with an incredible finish.

The Food: I'm not someone who generally likes pizza. The Nduja Meatball Pizza ($9.50 for a 13" x 5") however, has a light and crispy crust made with a "whole wheat, red wine-leavened" dough and  tasty toppings (meatballs, kale pesto, fontina and tomato). The Grilled Shrimp ($12) with cannelini beans and calabrian chili is also excellent.

The Dessert: Bomboloni are Tuscan-style donuts and they are too-die-for. I dont even know how to explain how good they are. They are $2/each and neccessary for any dessert lover in Arlington to try.

                                                                                                  Pictured: Grilled Shrimp & Nduja Meatball Pizza

                                          Pictured: Tuscan-style donuts, Mexican Chocolate and Dulce de Leche

Another plus...they also have espresso! I'm in love. Cheers!