Nurturing my inner... pizza surprise

Disclaimer: I've not been to Italy, so this is my stateside opinion.  World travelers, be kind to me.  (And feel free to take me on your next vacation to Europe.)

After growing up in Connecticut/New England and being completely spoiled by the most amazing pizza this side of Palermo, I admittedly have become somewhat of a pizza connoisseur.  (Aka, stuck up snob.)  Frankly, I did not know what a Domino's was until I went to college in Virginia and the concept that pizza could be delivered to your front door was unthinkable.  Pizza was what you went to a "pizza parlour" for.  And any great joint worth its reputation sold only pizza and none of that other fancy stuff like pasta or salads.

I've tried a bunch of pizza all over this area.  From people who have boasted "we're originally from New Jersey... New York... Italy!"  They all have tried to coax me into believing they had the secret to my heart's, er stomach's, desire.  But mostly I have found myself somewhat let down.  For courtesy's sake, I shall not mention any objects of my scorn.  That wouldn't be very fair, or polite, because you might like (or own) those establishments.  I promise to write with dignity!  So instead I will choose to focus on one that I did enjoy:  Fireworks Wood-Fired Pizza in downtown Leesburg, VA.  It's a happenin' joint, so leave extra wait time.  You may be there for a while.  That's how you know it's going to be good.

It did have more than just pizza, I know this because I indulged, so I'll share a little about each item.

First up, pepperoni bread.  Not as good as my Nana's, but baked in a brick oven that Nana didn't have, so that got them points.

This got eaten by us all way too quickly.
Marinara was tasty too.

Next, a salad.  As I was craving some greens.  This was their house salad: Local greens, tomatoes, pine nuts, dry (that's what they wrote) cranberries, Gorgonzola and raspberry vinaigrette.  (I see some nods to local ingredients and I always like that.)

Feel the soul nourishing vitamins at work.
Now on to vitamin P for Pizza!

Ready for the stars: the pies.  We started with two.

1.) Virginia Luau - Baker Farms Country Ham (Mt. Jackson), Wood Roasted Pineapples and Vidalia Onions, Cheese and Organic Tomato Sauce.

2.) Siciliana (vegetarian) - White Sauce, Grilled Artichokes, Spinach, Roasted Eggplant, Olives, Garlic, Grana Padano.




I wish I had some right now. We had no
left overs, by the way.


I must tell you that we, there were four of us, were hungry when we arrived, but we chose to do the smaller 10" pies so we could share and try many things.  As our hunger (and approval of the pizza) took over, we decided we had to have a third.  So half way into the two above, we ordered their Classic Margherita that had Grape Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Basil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Sea Salt.  We ate it too fast for a photo.  So sorry.

Though it's no Ernie's Pizza in New Haven, CT (shout out to the place I've been going to for 35 years and is incomparable), it was very good and I enjoyed myself.  I would definitely go again and take friends.  Because I want to try the Smokey Blue (Gorgonzola and Aged Balsamic) and the French Connection (Brie, Apples, Chicken and Dijon Creme).

So, I'll keep trying pizza in Virginia because every now and then, I seem to stumble upon a lovely surprise.