Washingtonian: 3 Hot Restaurants and a Food Hall Open Around DC Today

Chef Russell Smith spent much of his career in fine-dining restaurants such as BlackSalt in the Palisades and the Source in Penn Quarter. Now, he’s striking out on his own with this unpretentious New York-style pizza parlor in Dupont Circle. Alfreda, named after his grandmother, takes a minimalist approach to toppings on its brick oven sourdough pies (gluten-free crust is also available) with add-ons like anchovies, house sausage, and pickled chilies. You’ll also find a handful of salads and simple small plates such as slow-cooked garbanzos or mushroom conserva with whipped herb ricotta.