Martha Dear
Restaurant · Mount Pleasant
3110 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, DC 20010
Highlights
Sourdough pizzas, Greek & Italian dishes, whipped feta, & olive oil cake
Sourdough pizzas, Greek & Italian dishes, whipped feta, & olive oil cake
"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. Spring for a side of garlic-and-anchovy bagna cauda dip for dunking the crusts. Know before you go: Eat the pizza while it’s hot on a patio, maybe alongside a bottle of Greek wine." - Tierney Plumb
"Tucked into a cramped, cave-like space in Mt. Pleasant, Martha Dear makes Neapolitan-style pizzas with flavors that are all Greek. The bouncy, beautifully-blistered sourdough crusts have a natural tang that’s noticeable without being overwhelming. They’re a perfect compliment to the boisterously salty cheeses on top, like the brilliant one-two punch of kefalotyri and myzithra on the white pie, punctuated with a sunshine-y squeeze of fresh lemon. Don't leave without a slice of the barely-sweetened chocolate olive oil cake, which is almost as dark as the subterranean spot itself." - omnia saed, allison robicelli
"A cozy basement Greek pizza spot in Mount Pleasant, Martha Dear boasts fantastic sourdough pies with toppings like spicy lamb and pickled red onions. The inventive salads, such as the radicchio Caesar and beet salad, are also highlights. The fresh pita from the pizza oven pairs perfectly with the dishes." - Tierney Plumb
"Tucked into a cramped, cave-like space in Mount Pleasant, Martha Dear makes Neapolitan-style pizzas with flavors that are all Greek. The bouncy, beautifully-blistered sourdough crusts have a natural tang that’s noticeable without being overwhelming. They’re a perfect compliment to the boisterously salty cheeses on top, like the brilliant one-two punch of kefalotyri and myzithra on the white pie, punctuated with a sunshine-y squeeze of fresh lemon. Aside from the pizza, you’ll see the whipped feta appetizer on nearly every table, and for good reason. What seems like an unassuming dip on the menu is a revelation when it comes out of the kitchen, thanks to a generous addition of ouzo-spiked glyko portokalaki, a Greek “spoon sweet” made from whole chopped oranges simmered in sugar. It’s meant to be shared, but shouldn’t be. Save your generosity for dessert and split a decadent slice of barely-sweetened chocolate olive oil cake, which is almost as dark as the subterranean spot itself. photo credit: Martha Dear" - Allison Robicelli
"The neighborhood pizzeria’s house caesar salad ($18) combines hearty greens, white anchovy, sourdough bread crumbs, and Parmesan for quite the filling appetizer." - Vinciane Ngomsi
