#46: It Was All Yellow

Paradise is where the dipping sauce (& soft serve) is.

Dear Friends,

A couple weeks ago I went out with a group of people who, for almost the entire evening, were RAVING about this mysterious new restaurant in Georgetown called Yellow. The main selling point was the amazing soft serve. Soft serve so good that one of the women had gone to get it several days in a row. We were tempted to go and get some that same night, but time got the better of us and it wasn’t in the cards. I made a personal goal to stop by and try it for myself, however I got sidetracked by other things and didn’t end up making as quickly as I had intended. Last Sunday I was driving with some friends when one of them told us that she had had dinner at Yellow, and it had indeed been amazing. The only issue was that she had gone on a “meh” blind date, and she wanted to go back and experience it again. We wanted to go the very next day, but that plan was foiled because they’re closed on Monday, so we made a reservation for Tuesday. I was looking forward to it all day. I diligently studied the menu and was delighted to see that they have an entire menu of dips meant specifically for dipping the pizza crust. I have never seen something so perfect.

Yellow is a Levantine restaurant inspired by the owner, Chef Michael Rafidi’s, Palestinian family roots. It’s a café during the day that converts to their (not) Pizza menu in the evening. I started with a mish mish soda (apricot soda) that was delicious. They served it over pebbled ice so when I got to the bottom it was a little like eating a slushee.

I ordered the Soujek pizza which had Armenian beef sausage, smoked jibne (a type of cheese), pickled chilies, and za’atar honey.

Lauren got the Summer Squash pizza with burnt onion cream, green shatta, aged provolone, corn, smoke feta, zucchini, and yellow squash. I’m not a zucchini person at all but I had a bite of Lauren’s, and it was great. I probably could have eaten a whole one, however I do think I preferred the one I ordered. It was such a good blend of seasoned meat, pillowy crust with just the right amount of chew, a flavorful sauce, and gooey cheese. The za’atar honey was a subtle addition that was a great compliment. We ordered their trio of dips that were all very good. The toum and green shatta labne were my two favorites.

We didn’t hesitate at all to order dessert. I got the labne soft serve with smoked peaches and oat crumbs. Lauren ordered the brown butter soft serve with pistachios on a bed of baklava. I loved the one I got except for the peaches. I didn’t love the after taste that came from the smokey part of them. The soft serve and oat crumble were fantastic though. I think I would have preferred the fruit to be more of a sauce or jam. The twist, however, was incredible! I loved it so much and could have eaten a few servings of it. We left so happy and very eager to go back.

I’m not sure I can directly compare it to other pizza places I love, like Andy’s, since they are so different. But I would put Yellow pretty close to the top of my list of other wood fired/Neapolitan style pizza places. The true miracle of this pizza was that it didn’t have weird cheese liquid in the middle, and it wasn’t overly greasy. Common traits of other wood fired styles.

If you’re still not convinced, here is what Lauren had to say.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to convince a blind date to take me to Yellow. We split a pizza that, once we got it, we clearly realized was meant to feed one person. Enter, the Summer Squash. It was a mildly spicy pie of goodness with burnt onion cream, green shatta, aged provolone, corn, and smoked feta. From first bite my taste buds transcended this earth and entered a higher plane, letting me forget momentarily that I was on an admittedly bad date. 

As we had split a personal pizza, I was left yearning to go back. I actually almost went back the same night—I couldn't get the pizza off my mind! I knew Liesl, pizza-lover and foodie would love this place and convinced her to go back with me the following Tuesday. I ordered the same pizza, and the experience was no less for being my second time. The dough was perfect, and we got Mediterranean dipping sauces for the crust. My favorite was the toum, which is essentially whipped garlic. Liesl's order was also delicious, but I was happy I ordered what I got. 

To follow, we indulged in dessert. Personally, baklava is one of my all-time favorite sweets, so I ordered "The Twist": a triangle of baklava topped with a generous helping of brown butter pistachio soft serve. Although I am not traditionally a soft-serve fan, I adored this pairing. The soft serve was creamy and (of course), soft, but not runny or melty. The baklava was not soggy or overly syrupy. It was a great combo, not too sweet or rich, and was a perfect ending to my meal.

Overall, I would say Yellow has my seal of approval and I hope to dine again soon!

Please invite me to go out to eat with you at Yellow so I have more excuses to go again!!

As always, have a slice for me 🍕, and have a great Halloween week 🎃.