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Seventh Hill Pizza

327 7th St. SE, Washington, DC 20003 | 202-544-1911 | Web site »
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Neighborhood:

Capitol Hill

Cuisines:

Pizza

hours:

Tue-Sun 11:30 am-3 pm, 5:30-10 pm

Atmosphere:

Outdoor Seating

Price:

$

Quick Take

(Jim Lo Scalzo/For The Washington Post)

The folks behind Montmartre open a brick-oven pizza shop on the Hill.

Read Editorial Review >>
 
 
 
 
 

Editorial Review

Tom Sietsema wrote about Seventh Hill for an October 2009 First Bite.

A customer doesn't even need to see a menu to know what Capitol Hill's new hot spot is all about. The metal platters doubling as sconces and the wooden paddles dressing up the pale blue walls all point to one thing at Seventh Hill Pizza: pie.

Permit me to elaborate: pizza that brings to mind some of the city's best, at least in the joint's first few weeks.

The titles of the dozen or so crisp rounds will resonate with locals. The thin crusts, fragrant with the suggestion of smoke, make swell supports for combinations such as goat cheese, tapenade and mushrooms (a.k.a. Eastern Market) and sausage, oregano and pecorino cheese (Navy Yard). Folds of pink prosciutto and pieces of roasted red pepper -- my favorite of the bunch right now -- add to the charm of a pie billed as Seventh Street. The selections come in eight- and 12-inch sizes. Non-pizza specials are flagged on a chalkboard paddle; they might include carrot-cumin soup or a vegetable-stuffed panino.

Spot anything familiar behind the counter? Diners might recognize chef Stephane Lezla and Christophe Raynal from Montmartre, the cozy French restaurant next door. The men own and attend to both businesses. They also have done an admirable job of erasing any trace of what used to be Ben & Jerry's. (The aroma of burning hickory logs helps.)

The trim dining room, with just 20 stools inside, was designed with carryout in mind, says manager Tammy Barszcz. But a lot of patrons seem to like watching the show of pizza being flipped in the air, feet from their faces, or catching whatever happens to be on the TV screen hanging over the bar: So far, Barszcz reports, 75 percent of the business has been for consumption on the spot.

Eight-inch pizzas, $9.95-$10.95.

(Oct. 21, 2009)

 
 
 
 
 

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Reviews

Micky's Review

Posted by WhatMickyEats | Nov 08, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

http://whatmickyeats.blogspot.com/2009/10/seventhhill.html

It's still early yet, and I truly wish...

Posted by clrovers | Oct 22, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

them the best of luck, but so far, underwhelming. The best part of the meal was the calzone special, filled with a rich bolognese meat sauce. Original and fantastic! The beer selection is also good but not really wallet friendly. We tried two pizzas and found both to be overly dry, brittle even. Perhaps this is the French version of pizza? And lest, John, another "impartial reviewer", needs to berate my taste in pizza, I just returned from several weeks in southern Italy, and while I don't expect identical results, SHP *is* competing in the high-end pizza market that includes Comet Ping-Pong, 2 Amys, and on the Hill, Matchbox. We *need* good pizza on the Hill, so 2 stars is my cautious optimism that we'll see more hits than misses soon.

A personal experience

Posted by john | Oct 22, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

I've been here enough times to try 10 of the 11 pizzas. I live 2 blocks away, and I love everything about this restaurant: food taste and innovation, quality of ingredients, speed of turnaround, low noise, overall interior design, staff hospitality. Now, having said all that, I'm rather pleased that 7th Hill isn't everyone's idea of perfection. It can't accommodate Matchbox-sized mobs, nor should it homogenize its offerings to please everyone. In short: try it. If you like it, support it and keep it afloat. If you don't like it, best wishes as you find something you prefer. My rating is an emphatic and subjective: FOUR STARS.

Really People????

Posted by john.goldsmith | Oct 22, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

This place is has shown me a great deal of pride and character right when when I walked into the door. The food was fresh, the dough was amazing and I could most deafeningly tell that it was a 24 hour dough from its yeasty yet perfectly salted flavor. Last night was packed due to the article released and they still managed to get me out a great pizza and on top of the pizza chef felt it was necessary to check on everyone visible to him. Maybe just maybe user zaatarweeblycom will have better luck with frozen pizza to get what they are going for....I hate talking bad about people but if it is neeeded haha its needed but try the Nutella Pizza and any Special that the Pizzaiolo Anthony is Making!!!! I RECOMMEND THIS PLACE!!!

I want to like it...

Posted by zaatarweeblycom | Oct 21, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

I really do, since I live around the corner and we're dying for a pizza place on the hill. But after two visits I've found the dough fairly flavorless, the pizzas tending towards soggy, and the service brusque. Too bad, since Montmartre is a perennial favorite. Also, first time I've REALLY disagreed with Tom. Bummer.

Great Little Place

Posted by scottherbert5 | Oct 14, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

Great little restaurant by Montmartre. As a resident of the hill, I'm glad a new pizza place is open that serves quality food. Last time I went in, it looked like they had worked out a few of their opening day kinks and the service was much smoother. Tried the Navy Yard pizza - made me want to go back soon. I highly recommend.

Poor Food and Service

Posted by hutsonian | Oct 05, 2009 | Mark as Inappropriate

Let me start out that I'm a BIG fan of Monmartre. But, if you're venturing out on the Hill for pizza....start at Matchbox. I stood in line and tried to call the carry-out number with no answer for 15 minutes while in line. It is a wireless number the cashier (an Owner) said she "takes off the hook when they get busy." She told the gentleman in front of me that he should call the carry-out number next time. They only made one of my two purchased pizzas. The second make-up pizza was not the right one when I got home. Second bite was into an olive pit that almost cracked a tooth. The crust tastes like baking powder, the mozarella was like plastic, the sauce has no flavor. We won't be returning. Try Matchbox on 8th.

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