Fireworks - in my belly!!!

Pizza on my mind after our first highly successful venture into grilling it outside on our gas grill. In my last blog I mentioned a couple of less than stellar choices in retail pizza. Here in the 20141 we have to go into Leesburg, VA or further to get anything close to resembling edible pizza – unless of course we make it at home.

I thought I'd share one of our favorite local haunts. Fireworks pizza is located in the historic district in the building that used to be a freight depot. Snuggled up against what used to be an old mill which houses another iconic Leesburg eatery, Tuscarora Mill. I have to admit when this restaurant first opened – well rather than put into words how much we disliked the place let me just say it was over a year before we went back! That being said, we gave it a second try and were hooked on their creative toppings and that all too delicious wood fired aroma and taste!

Let's start with the bar – they have one of the most fun beer selections in our area – if you are the type of person who can let go of their PBR, RR, Bud! The bartender is a hoot, he sizes up your beer likes/dislikes and then makes suggestions – and I've not been disappointed yet! Usually 8 taps with something new all the time and much of it maps to the change in seasons. There are bottles galore ranging from American craft beer to a fun selection from Europe and around the Globe. Fireworks also has wine, but no spirits – but with the beer selection, who needs 'em??!!

On to the food....the menu is really well rounded from lite bites, salads, and antipasto to sandwiches, pasta, calzones and polenta dishes. Of course the superstar of this place is the wood-fired pizza. As a baker in my past life I savor good dough – and Fireworks uses some really key ingredients to make theirs so special – Italian “Caputo” flour which is fine milled, sea salt, filtered water and of course yeast. The great part of the crust isn't just the texture, flavor and aroma its that they do these free-form, no generic cookie cutter pizzas come outta these ovens!

Here are two of our menu favorites:

Bruschetta Trio using Ciabatta:
Topping 1 – Brie with Honey and Almonds
Topping 2 – Cherry Glen Farms Chipotle Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper
Topping 3 – Organic Tomato Jam with Fresh Mozzarella

The Barcelona Pizza ... yes I did a version of this one at home, and it was still yummy :-)
mahon Cheese, Spanish Chorizo, Olive Spread, Marinated Tomatoes and Roasted Red Peppers

Pair either or both with one of their fresh salad offerings and a cold craft beer and I guarantee you will be back again, and again, and again....

Cheers!