"Near the end of 2020, Tara Smith and Demetri Mechelis opened Martha Dear for takeout only, teasing customers with a panoply of savory smells wafting out of the domed pizza oven inside the lower-level space in Mt. Pleasant. The 12-inch sourdough pizzas, initially available through a limited amount of online preorders, were an instant hit, building a fast following with a uniquely bubbly dough and topping combinations like ‘nduja and peppers. Now the shop has scaled up a bit, batting back the scarcity and opening a patio where customers can eat the pizza while it’s hot, maybe alongside a bottle of Greek wine. Spring for a side of garlic-and-anchovy bagna cauda dip for dunking the crusts." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky
Rey Lopez/Eater DC
