ol_ironstomach Posted September 15, 2011 Posted September 15, 2011 Driving through Rockville today, I felt a strange urge to detour through the parking lot where Three Brothers used to be - I hadn't noticed that this location had closed - and in its place was a dusty construction site and signage for "Pizza CS - napoletana, come sempre". Judging from the Google results, it looks like owners Ankur Rajpara and Jonathan Allen may have originally intended to open in Baltimore's Canton area before settling down in Rockville. There's the stalled rough beginnings of a website nowhere near ready for public viewing, PizzaCS.com, but the most up-to-date info comes from their Facebook page, which shows the delivery of their Stefano Ferrara oven in July and predicts an October opening date.
AnkurCS Posted September 19, 2011 Posted September 19, 2011 Hello all- I'm the co-owner of Pizza CS and can confirm that we're planning to open next month in the aforementioned space. We're currently wrapping up construction and are gearing up for inspections later this month. At this time, I can share that we'll be serving traditional Neapolitan pizzas, salads, and old-fashioned ice cream from JJ Hoffman's Creamery in Carroll County, in addition to beer and wine by the glass. The best places to keep tabs on our progress are our Facebook or Twitter until we announce our opening and the website is ready. Both Jon and I are really excited to be part of the Rockville/DC community and dining scene. Thank you for welcoming us to the forum! -Ankur
AnkurCS Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Hello all- I'm the co-owner of Pizza CS and can confirm that we're planning to open next month in the aforementioned space. We're currently wrapping up construction and are gearing up for inspections later this month. At this time, I can share that we'll be serving traditional Neapolitan pizzas, salads, and old-fashioned ice cream from JJ Hoffman's Creamery in Carroll County, in addition to beer and wine by the glass. The best places to keep tabs on our progress are our Facebook or Twitter until we announce our opening and the website is ready. Both Jon and I are really excited to be part of the Rockville/DC community and dining scene. Thank you for welcoming us to the forum! -Ankur Hi Folks- It's been a long journey. We'd like to thank you all for your messages of support and for welcoming us to the forum. We're officially set for our Grand Opening on Tuesday, November 8th. And to help celebrate, we'll be offering $6 Margherita Pizzas, or $3 off any other pizza, through November 27th. For more info and our menu, our website is now available. -Ankur Pizza CS
DanielK Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Even though the "grand opening" is not until next week, they are open for lunch this week. Anyone want to go on Thursday?
Koozebanian Fazoob Posted November 2, 2011 Posted November 2, 2011 Well, the photos of the pizza on the facebook page look pretty damn good at least. I might stop in early next week for dinner, hopefully it won't be too swamped.
JPW Posted November 3, 2011 Posted November 3, 2011 Stopped in yesterday for lunch. A very solid pie. Nice chew to the crust, excellent tomato sauce. Very well designed space. While Puputella remains the number 1 pie for me around DC, I really liked CS. A much appreciated alternative to Matchbox across the street. I think that they will do well and I'll be back.
DanielK Posted November 3, 2011 Posted November 3, 2011 Remember what the prices were like by any chance? Three of us swung by for lunch at noon today. Considering that this is their second day of operation, they're doing pretty good. Crust had a good flavor and a nice chew (could use a touch more salt), a good char (I personally would have left it in there 10 more seconds for a bit more char and a little more melt on the cheese, but I'm sure they're still getting used to the oven) and the quality of the ingredients was very high. I tried the CS Margherita (Crushed San Marzano Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, Basil), and the Moto (Fresh Mozzarella, Pancetta, Brussels Sprouts, Garlic). Service was excellent and friendly. Ankur and Jonathan were both very happy to take time to talk about the operation with us. JPW is spot-on: Pupatella remains the gold standard in the area, but this pie was very good, and I'm very excited to have it 10 minutes from the house. I will certainly return. BTW - had a small taste of the ice cream, rich and creamy, but the fudge ripple was a little light on the fudge flavor. Oh, and the website lists only the menu, not the prices, but when you "download" the PDF menu, the prices are there. Pie with fountain soda and tax was $15.
Koozebanian Fazoob Posted November 10, 2011 Posted November 10, 2011 Finally got to stop in here last night. The place was completely empty when we got there around 7:30, though a few other groups showed up shortly after we did. The place itself is pretty nice, lots of space, and they have some interesting art on the walls. The beer selection is a little sparse at the moment. They've got Magic Hat #9 and Peroni on tap, neither of which inspires any excitement in me. They had a few others in bottles though, including the Dogfish Nut Brown, which is solid enough. They could definitely stand to beef up the selection a bit here, and maybe swap some more exciting stuff into the taps. As for the pizza, we ended up getting 4 different ones. I got the Carne, which I ended up being a little disappointed with as it was pretty greasy and floppy in the middle. The flavor was quite good though, and I really enjoyed the crust on it. Later I also tried a white 4-cheese pizza (the Quattro I think it was), which I thought was VERY good. I love ricotta on my pizza, and I would definitely get this one again next time I go. Or maybe the Jonny instead ... The prices are quite good too, and compared to Matchbox you're getting a slightly larger pizza (11" vs 10") for about 2-3$ less on average. You also won't have to wait an hour for a table at dinner time.
MMM Posted November 16, 2011 Posted November 16, 2011 My husband and I stopped in Pizza CS around 8 last night. It was empty when we got there (several more customers came in later), but the beautiful wood-burning oven was fired up. We ordered 2 pizzas, a Caesar salad and a couple glasses of wine. I had the Margherita - tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil and my husband had the sausage variety, with buffalo mozzarella and peppers I think. We loved the crust. It seems very authentic Neapolitan - puffy edges, tasty and pliant with some nice char. The toppings while good, seemed a bit sparse, although I realize that's the way Neapolitan-style pizzas are. We enjoyed the salad and found the small selection of wines reasonably priced and good partners for pizza. Although there are plenty of tables, the restaurant has a casual, take-out feeling about it. We enjoyed chatting with the friendly owners, discussing dough-making, ovens and equipment. We plan to return. Try them out soon while they are discounting all pizzas by $3 and you can try several!
DanielK Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Took advantage again of the discounted pies (through 11/27), and swung by for dinner while running errands on the Pike. My two minor quibbles from opening week were that the pies needed a touch more salt, and 10 more seconds in the oven. Problems solved, happy to say. My CS Margherita was perfectly cooked, puffy edges and a good char, and just the right amount of salt. Jonathan told me the problem wasn't actually with the salt level, but in fact with the yeast and the salt absorption. Whatever - they're putting out a kick ass pie right now, IMHO the best in MoCo (though I haven't tried Pacci's yet). I can't say you should drive across town for it - this is still a $10 pizza we're talking about, but if you're going to be anywhere nearby I highly recommend stopping in. And definitely talk to Jonathan and Ankur, who are splendid hosts.
bookluvingbabe Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 We stopped in on Thursday night. We ordered two pizzas--Margherita and a white pizza with brussell sprouts. I thought the service was very friendly and quite good. They were bemused by a 4.5 year old saying, "Excuse me, may we please have a carryout box" and that always gets bonus points from me. I like it when other people think he's cute too. I thought the toppings were tasty but the crusts were too floppy. I've never been to Italy. I don't know what is authentic and what isn't. But these were not crispy enough for my taste. But it sure as heck beat the pants off of a very loud pizza place across the street that would have cost a heck of a lot more money. I'm sure we'll be back, even when the price gets a little higher.
ICD Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 We were there Friday night. This is a really fun place with a foozball and a shuffleboard-type game to amuse the kiddies. I love that it is fast casual and informal. I enjoyed our pizzas quite a bit. I thought they were crispy, charred, and well balanced, not much problem with sogginess and overly cheesiness like I thought of Pizza De Marco when it first opened. My only critique would be to reduce the char just the smallest skosh, but this my personal preference and I'll mention it next time I order. Great place, friendly service, and they seemed to have a steady crowd last night. As a Twinkbrookian, I wish this place all the best. The Ignacio
seanvtaylor Posted November 20, 2011 Posted November 20, 2011 We were there Friday night. This is a really fun place with a foozball and a shuffleboard-type game to amuse the kiddies. I love that it is fast casual and informal. I enjoyed our pizzas quite a bit. I thought they were crispy, charred, and well balanced, not much problem with sogginess and overly cheesiness like I thought of Pizza De Marco when it first opened. My only critique would be to reduce the char just the smallest skosh, but this my personal preference and I'll mention it next time I order. Great place, friendly service, and they seemed to have a steady crowd last night. As a Twinkbrookian, I wish this place all the best. The Ignacio We were also there Friday night, and I was very happy with our pizzas. We caught them at the end of the night, and after a little bit of confusion (followed by effusive apologies) we got two very good pies. The Carne had a nice sausage and pepperoni, and I really enjoyed it. My wife's white pizza, with ricotta and peppers, was also good and an interesting flavor combination. They came out just a touch soggy, but also perfectly charred, in my opinion, and after a few minutes the soggy-ness became part of the pie and the flavors were wonderful. We will definitely be back--this place does look like fun, and the pizzas will keep us coming back. We didn't try the ice cream, but it looked interesting and we'll check it out the next time that we are there.
MMM Posted November 24, 2011 Posted November 24, 2011 Five of us stopped by tonight and had a lovely time. I had my new favorite pizza - their Rocket; fresh mozzarella, grape tomato, arugula, grana, lemon juice, EVOO and basil. Wow, delicious! So we had a few draft Peroni's, a bottle of Orvieto, house salad, a few pizzas - just really pleasant, and what a great crust!
AnkurCS Posted December 6, 2011 Posted December 6, 2011 It's been an amazing first month. Many thanks to all of you for the support and feedback! Our team and I strive to do better every day, so please keep introducing yourselves and keep those comments coming . Starting tomorrow, December 6th, we're introducing a few specials for the month of December. First off is $2 Tuesdays, where we'll be serving $2 drafts of Peroni and Magic Hat #9 all day. Secondly, we're starting the CS happy hour from 5p-7p Tuesday - Friday with $3 drafts and $4 wines from A Mano. We also have a new weekday lunch special: an 11" Margherita pizza, a fountain drink, and a scoop of our delicious, JJ Hoffman's ice cream - for $10 (tax included). Lastly, keep an eye on our Twitter feed or Facebook page for additional pizza specials. We recently offered free upgrades to Buffalo Mozzarella on any pizza, courtesy of Bufalatte, and hope to do so again soon. Happy Holidays! Ankur
jandres374 Posted December 14, 2011 Posted December 14, 2011 Stopped in here for lunch on Saturday after fighting holiday traffic on Rockville Pike, also had a Capitol Deal coupon in the car. In short, we really enjoyed the pizzas here. Wife and I split a SONIA (Fresh Mozzarella, Spinach, Roasted Peppers, Red Onion, Mushroom, Olive, Basil) - $11. Really liked the crust and topping were fresh, could have used another couple seconds in the oven. Also split the CS HOUSE (Spring Mix, Grape Tomato,Parsley, Mint, Grana Padano, Balsamic Vinaigrette) - $5 for large. Nothing special but a decent value. Kids each had their own kids pies: GIA (Crushed San Marzano Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella) - $6; SOPHIA (Crushed San Marzano Tomato, Fresh Mozzarella, Pepperoni) - $6.50. The shuffleboard table kept the kids entertained. Will happily bypass the debacle across the street and head here next time we are in the neighborhood.
rockcreek Posted December 16, 2011 Posted December 16, 2011 Will happily bypass the debacle across the street and head here next time we are in the neighborhood. Agreed. Although the pies were better a few days ago than any time in the past, they lost me when he said the French Onion soup was topped with provolone. DUDE. Really? WTF! No, it's not a French bistro, I get it. But give a brother some credit.
Lydia R Posted December 23, 2011 Posted December 23, 2011 Stopped in here for lunch on Saturday after fighting holiday traffic on Rockville Pike I've greatly enjoyed their pies and agree that they've solved the saltiness of their crust. I initially had difficulty picturing a white pizza with brussel sprouts among the toppings, but now dream about the Moto's individual, previously blanched, sprout petals upturned with their delicate edges charred by the oven. Will happily bypass the debacle across the street and head here next time we are in the neighborhood. Pizza CS is definitely an improvement over last year's experience. - Happy Holidays to all from Team CS! Saturday Dec 24th: 12p-3p Sunday Dec 25th: Closed Saturday Dec 31st: 12p-3p Sunday Jan 1st: Closed
astrid Posted December 31, 2011 Posted December 31, 2011 Agree that they're finally getting the pizza really right. What we had on our second visit is probably the second best neapolitan pizza in the area, right behind Enzo's pies. The crust is almost perfect (I think Enzo's crusts are perfect). The toppings are fresh, tasty, and well distributed. On our first visit, we felt the pies were around Pizza De Marco's range, but now they are really getting it. Please go now! It was really quiet when we went this week and I really want this place to thrive. With pizza this good and a very chill staff, Pizza CS deserves to thrive.
Lori Gardner Posted December 31, 2011 Posted December 31, 2011 Perhaps some advertising would help. If you don't know it's there, you don't know it's there. I read about Pizza CS on this site and work nearby, but then I forgot about it. I was in the parking lot of Pier One the other day, saw the restaurant, and remembered reading about it here. It is back on my radar now so I'll try and stop by soon. But if there's been any advertising, I've missed it.
DanielK Posted January 21, 2012 Posted January 21, 2012 Nothing new to add, but wanted to make sure this topic keeps getting popped to the top. Lunch today was high notes across the board - Soppresata, CS Sausage, and Jonny, a split mixed green salad, and not a crumb of food left on the table. Everyone there is friendly and helpful, and I managed to catch the first part of Jon's adorable daughter's first birthday party. Oh, and in case you didn't catch this note from Ankur earlier, this is a great deal: We also have a new weekday lunch special: an 11" Margherita pizza, a fountain drink, and a scoop of our delicious, JJ Hoffman's ice cream - for $10 (tax included).
AnkurCS Posted January 31, 2012 Posted January 31, 2012 Hi Everyone, Starting this week, we're introducing Wine Wednesday, where all bottles are 50% off. And we're continuing with our other specials, like $2 Drafts of Peroni and Magic Hat #9 on Tuesdays and our Weekday lunch special for $10. Jon and I have been working on some new pies and plan to introduce them over the coming weeks. To begin, we'll be serving our new S'more dessert pie on Sundays: malted and sugared crust with melted chocolate, charred marshmallows, graham crumbles, and whipped cream. We look forward to serving you soon, Ankur
MMM Posted February 2, 2012 Posted February 2, 2012 Hi Everyone, Starting this week, we're introducing Wine Wednesday, where all bottles are 50% off. And we're continuing with our other specials, like $2 Drafts of Peroni and Magic Hat #9 on Tuesdays and our Weekday lunch special for $10. Jon and I have been working on some new pies and plan to introduce them over the coming weeks. To begin, we'll be serving our new S'more dessert pie on Sundays: malted and sugared crust with melted chocolate, charred marshmallows, graham crumbles, and whipped cream. We look forward to serving you soon, Ankur We took advantage of this wine offer last night. We had already planned to meet friends there for dinner, so this was an unexpected nice bonus. Pizzas were great as always!
Lydia R Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 We also have a new weekday lunch special: an 11" Margherita pizza, a fountain drink, and a scoop of our delicious, JJ Hoffman's ice cream - for $10 (tax included). Today's lunch was great break in an otherwise trying [but successful] day. First time for the ice cream; Butterscotch and creamy. Their WiFi availability was a welcome surprise. The Margherita was a perfectly simple and tasty reminder to get back to Pizza CS more often. Thanks again, Jon, for the Manhattan recs - I'll let you know how it goes.
Anna Blume Posted March 5, 2012 Posted March 5, 2012 This place sounds great! The website is totally unhelpful, though. Cute graphics on Home page, but no address, no hours listed, directions....
Koozebanian Fazoob Posted March 5, 2012 Posted March 5, 2012 Those things are listed on the Contact page. Kind of a weird spot for it I guess, but it's there.
DonRocks Posted March 6, 2012 Posted March 6, 2012 This place sounds great! The website is totally unhelpful, though. Cute graphics on Home page, but no address, no hours listed, directions.... Those things are listed on the Contact page. Kind of a weird spot for it I guess, but it's there. I've found opening days/hours to be very quirky things on restaurant websites - sometimes they're on the home page, other times, on the "Contact Us" page, other times on the "Make a Reservation" page. Home page is usually best, in my opinion - it can be somewhere discreet, at the bottom.
Lori Gardner Posted March 10, 2012 Posted March 10, 2012 Finally made it to Pizza CS for lunch yesterday. We had the sopresatta pizza (sopresatta, chili flakes), capri (mozarella, ham, mushroom, artichoke, olive) , and poppi (ricotta, spinach, artichoke, roasted peppers). I was disappointed that they were all pretty soggy- particularly after reading a favorable review in the Gazette referring to the crispness. We also thought that the toppings were a little sparse. On the bright side, the ingredients were fresh and the flavors were good. I will definitely try it again as we didn't try salads and the ice cream was really tempting. Will hope for more crunch next time.
Bob Loblaw Posted March 13, 2012 Posted March 13, 2012 they were all pretty soggy- particularly after reading a favorable review in the Gazette referring to the crispness. We also thought that the toppings were a little sparse. On the bright side, the ingredients were fresh and the flavors were good. That pretty much sounds like the way Neapolitan pizza should be, actually. I wouldn't go there expecting a crispy crust. Per Pupatella's website (the gold standard for Neapolitan pizza in the area, as others have mentioned): The Texture: the crust is soft and pliable. We understand that most people think that pizza should be crispy. However, crispy Neapolitan pizza is an overcooked pizza where the scorched fresh ingredients cannot shine anymore. Congealed cheese with brown spots is considered a flaw. For the record, I really like Pizza CS. Every pizza I've tried has been very good -- the CS Margherita and Moto being my current favorites. Each has had a good amount of char and a nice soft, chewy crust. I agree with astrid -- second best in the area behind Pupatella.
Lydia R Posted March 18, 2012 Posted March 18, 2012 after reading a favorable review in the Gazette referring to the crispness. One of the hardest things to do is to let a pizza straight out of the oven "rest" and get its act together. Otherwise, it's just like slicing into a steak too quickly - bleeding out and messy. Thanks for pointing out Chef Brian's review in the Gazette. It seems that it generated a huge response prompting Jon and Ankur to post this sign: This weekend they are busy, but not running out of dough balls or having extended waits. I'm glad they're using a measured growth strategy to keep the quality up. Their vision has been focused by an amazing range of research throughout the USA and Europe. If you ever need pizza recommendations in other cities -- check with them. Thanks again for the Don Antonio rec - they weren't previously on my radar. Note to self: it's better to get off Rockville Pike for a late ice cream [banana Fudge Ripple] than than any other place on St. Paddy's Day. Oh, and remember they're closed on Mondays and every other day between 3p & 5p.
MMM Posted April 13, 2012 Posted April 13, 2012 We took out-of-town visitors to Pizza CS this week and met another friend there the week before. We all loved our pizzas and noted that business has picked up a lot since the nice review in the Gazette. My husband loves the $2 Peroni on Tuesday night.
mnnchas Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 Ate at Pizza CS for the first time the other night and I was really impressed. Not sure why anyone travelling south from Rockville and points north would go any further for "Neopolitan" pizzas (i.e. not worth the extra gas money to drive further, imho). I really liked the tomato flavor in the pies I tried, didn't have a chance to try any of the white pies but it looked like they had a bunch of options on the menu. The best part, though, was probably the crust: enough char without being burned, and not a soggy crust. The beer list seems thoughtful and concise. In addition to about 10 bottles, they had a couple drafts (magic hat and peroni if I remember). I had a sausage pizza, and the sausage they use is crumbled a little finer than you typically see on a pizza (not sure if that is the best way to describe it). I think I actually liked it better that way, but might need a couple more tries to know for sure. One non-food thing to note: I walked in expecting a typical restaurant, but you just order and pay at the counter, so fyi.
seanvtaylor Posted May 14, 2012 Posted May 14, 2012 We stopped in for lunch on Saturday and tried the Johnny, a decadently rich ham and cheese (Ricotta, mozzarella, maybe more) white pizza that was really excellent, and also had the bresaola, which in contrast almost seemed monastically simple, with arugula and bresaola. Together they were a nice contrast, and as has been the case just about everytime we've visited, they were perfectly prepared. Between the great pizzas, the very friendly service, and the foosball and shuffleboard tables, we have become big fans of Pizza CS.
DonRocks Posted June 11, 2012 Posted June 11, 2012 I initially had difficulty picturing a white pizza with brussel sprouts among the toppings, but now dream about the Moto's individual, previously blanched, sprout petals upturned with their delicate edges charred by the oven. Finally made it to Pizza CS for lunch yesterday. We had the sopresatta pizza (sopresatta, chili flakes), capri (mozarella, ham, mushroom, artichoke, olive) , and poppi (ricotta, spinach, artichoke, roasted peppers). I was disappointed that they were all pretty soggy- particularly after reading a favorable review in the Gazette referring to the crispness. I really liked the tomato flavor in the pies I tried, didn't have a chance to try any of the white pies but it looked like they had a bunch of options on the menu. The best part, though, was probably the crust: enough char without being burned, and not a soggy crust. I had the Soppresata tonight (as well as the Moto) and also loved the flavor of the San Marzano sauce. It was indeed soggy in the middle, gloriously so - the kind of slices that I love to fold in half and take a massive first triangular chomp of, a definite New York influence in this Neapolitan pie. The crust itself, around the edges (and certainly on the white pizza) was flavorful and well-charred, and yes, those brussels sprouts on the Moto are pretty darned tasty on their own. Italic!
MMM Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Congratulations to Pizza CS on becoming italic! Richly deserved.
seanvtaylor Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 I had the Moto last night again, and again was impressed. This place just seems to be humming along, any early wrinkles smoothed, with what appears to be a very streamlined operation and great focus on customer service. Plus the shuffleboard and foosball table are a great way to wait for a pizza...
DanielK Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 I had the Moto last night again, and again was impressed. This place just seems to be humming along, any early wrinkles smoothed, with what appears to be a very streamlined operation and great focus on customer service. Plus the shuffleboard and foosball table are a great way to wait for a pizza... Say hi next time.
seanvtaylor Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 Say hi next time. will do--I'll challenge you to a shuffleboard game!
DC Deb Posted July 16, 2012 Posted July 16, 2012 I finally made it out to Pizza CS a couple of weeks ago and went back again tonight. I really enjoyed the pizzas. The first time, I tried the prosciutto white pizza. Tonight, we had the CS Sausage and the Bianca with ricotta cheese add-on. All the pies were great, with a crispy outside and a soft inside. (Like Rock, I fold my slices and take a big chomp first.) Peroni and Hoegaarden on tap, both good choices. I was pleasently surprised to see that they serve Grotta del Sole Gragnano. I have to try and go back on a Wednesday for the half price wine special. Nice dining room, great casual vibe. The food came quickly and was promptly devoured. The staff was friendly and the co-owner Jon was a nice guy. Highly recommended. I am glad to get my pizza fix closer to home.
AnkurCS Posted November 8, 2012 Posted November 8, 2012 Hi All- A year ago today, Pizza CS opened its doors. Many, many bags of flour and balls of fresh mozzarella later, we're going strong and are loving every day of it! Time really does fly when you're having fun! To celebrate and to thank all of our supporters, take 10% off today when you wish us a "happy birthday" when placing your order. All our best, Ankur and Jon
JPW Posted November 8, 2012 Posted November 8, 2012 Congrats to Ankur and Jon. CS has been a very welcome addition to my Rockville Pike lunch rotation. Keep churning them out!
DC Deb Posted December 30, 2012 Posted December 30, 2012 Another good dinner at Pizza CS tonight. I had the Poppi with added anchovies and my sister had the Bianca also with anchovies. We shared a bottle of the Grotta Del Sole Gragnano. I noticed a sign offering a $10 lunch deal--a full size (Margherita, I think) pizza with drink and a scoop of ice cream. I really need to check that out one day.
Heather Posted January 12, 2013 Posted January 12, 2013 We stopped in for a couple of pies and some foosball this afternoon. I got the Poppi (mozz, ricotta, artichoke hearts, spinach, peppers), Emma got a plain cheese pie, and Ian chose smoked mozzarella, garlic and bresaola. His was the table favorite; the flavors really worked together. Maybe the kid has a decent palate developing after all. I thought the crust could use a tiny bit more char, but that didn't stop any of us from devouring it and swiping the bones through some olive oil. It was a little more than I would have preferred to spend for lunch, $40 for two full-sized pies, one kid pie, and two sodas, but such a pleasant experience that it was worth the dent in my budget.
Lydia R Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 Pizza CS "@PizzaCS 27 JUL CS Fans: we'll be closed July 29 - August 5. Come in and see us before our vacation next week! Darn! Didn't make it before their well-deserved vacation.
mnnchas Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 I heard (from an employee during a recent visit) that the shopping center is slated for redevelopment in about a year. Has anyone else heard about this? It wasn't clear if this would be the type of redevelopment that the restaurant could operate through or if relocation would be necessary.
seanvtaylor Posted July 31, 2013 Posted July 31, 2013 I heard (from an employee during a recent visit) that the shopping center is slated for redevelopment in about a year. Has anyone else heard about this? It wasn't clear if this would be the type of redevelopment that the restaurant could operate through or if relocation would be necessary. Yes, Jonathan mentioned this to us about 8 months ago. It sounded like a relocation was in the cards (or at least appeared to be, when he mentioned it). i think they've done great in that location, but I'm also confident that they could do well in a number of places around Rockville.
rockcreek Posted July 31, 2013 Posted July 31, 2013 Yes, Jonathan mentioned this to us about 8 months ago. It sounded like a relocation was in the cards (or at least appeared to be, when he mentioned it). i think they've done great in that location, but I'm also confident that they could do well in a number of places around Rockville. Pizza CS is located squarely in the highest-development segment of the Rockville Pike Master Plan (known as "South Pike.") Quoth the Master Plan (emphasis mine): "The South Pike has the greatest potential to receive the bulk of the population growth within the corridor, as well as a significant portion of the City's population growth, over the next few decades. This area also has the most potential to transform from a commercial suburban development pattern into an urban center, complementing Rockville Town Square to the north. Much of the growth and increased density in the South Pike is expected to be east of Rockville Pike for the near future." So what do you know: them boys can pick 'em! :-) They have (imho) a good product, and they do a good job. Let's hope the moving costs don't rake them over and more people find out about them. Master Plan is here: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1428 1
AnkurCS Posted November 8, 2013 Posted November 8, 2013 I'm happy to announce that today marks the 2nd anniversary of Pizza CS! Many thanks to all of the forum members here (and Don!) who have supported us along the way. To celebrate and to thank our loyal patrons, we're running an anniversary special today and tomorrow (Friday and Saturday, November 8-9): $2 off all pizzas, $2 off all beers, and 50% off all bottles of wine. As far as relocating, the current re-development plans are currently in the air and may be delayed. We're standing by for more information, while keeping our eyes open for a suitable space in the immediate area. Jon and I are committed to the neighborhood and plan to be around for many years to come. Best, Ankur 5
MMM Posted November 10, 2013 Posted November 10, 2013 Congratulations to Ankur and Jon for 2 years of bringing great Neapolitan pizza to Rockville Pike. Stopped by for a "Rocket" tonight and it's as delicious as ever!
deangold Posted November 10, 2013 Posted November 10, 2013 We had a breasola and a really nice Caesar salad on our first visit yesterday! 1
seanvtaylor Posted January 5, 2014 Posted January 5, 2014 Excellent pizza here the other night. They were slammed--absolutely packed--which was nice to see. We had three pizzas between the three of us--a margarita, a CS sausage, and a third whose name escapes me--and really enjoyed them. In a lot of ways, I think that this place has really hit its stride. 2
Lydia R Posted April 5, 2014 Posted April 5, 2014 Dropped by today - super happy to see them buzzing! I heartily recommend the Agnello special with lamb polpettine and shaved fennel. Oh, the savory lamb and sausage with the olives and crunch of fennel... 1
Lydia R Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 Oh my, another great pizza at CS last night. So, why is this post-worthy? Neither Jonathan nor Ankur were involved. Sure, Ankur was in the back -- but, for me, this means they've surmounted the hurdle that trips-up others. They've trained a great staff to follow their passion and deliver -> sustainability. 1
seanvtaylor Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 Oh my, another great pizza at CS last night. So, why is this post-worthy? Neither Jonathan nor Ankur were involved. Sure, Ankur was in the back -- but, for me, this means they've surmounted the hurdle that trips-up others. They've trained a great staff to follow their passion and deliver -> sustainability. That looks like the Moto--such a nice pizza!
pras Posted June 16, 2014 Posted June 16, 2014 Went here for dinner tonight after having read good things here at DR. Everyone was happy. Wife, daughter, and me. Daughter (3 year old) had the kid pizza and she ate almost the whole thing. Wife and I split a Margheretia and Papi. Both were cooked perfectly, nice amount of char, chewy the way it should be. Ingredients in balance, etc. What I like about the pizza here is that you don't feel gross after devouring a pizza. Will definitely put this place into our rotation. 1
Lydia R Posted August 29, 2014 Posted August 29, 2014 Another sure sign that summer's almost over - Pizza CS announces their vacation closure: So it's that time of year: Vacation. We will be closed starting Sunday 8/31 through 9/8. Thanks for your support and we"ll see you back on September 9th!
DanielK Posted August 29, 2014 Posted August 29, 2014 I'm here every couple of weeks. They are still putting out great pies, and the $10 weekday lunch special (Margherita, soft drink, scoop of ice cream) is a steal.
seanvtaylor Posted August 30, 2014 Posted August 30, 2014 We were here tonight, and it was as great as usual. The pizza menu has expanded a bit--maybe 4 new pies? The Bruno, a white pizza with sausage, was a great combination. The Cotto was sweet peppers, ham, artichoke, and good. These guys continue to crank out solid pies a few years in, with no sign of drop off whatsoever. 1
Popular Post AnkurCS Posted November 11, 2014 Popular Post Posted November 11, 2014 Hi all- I recently traveled back to Napoli and after demonstrating my abilities, received my pizzaiolo certification from the Associazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani. The organization also certified Pizza CS to serve the traditional STG Margherita and Marinara pizzas. We're very proud to be recognized by the APN, in addition to going strong for 3 years now. As always, thank you to the members of the forum for your support! 11
MMM Posted November 12, 2014 Posted November 12, 2014 You said you could do it, Ankur, and you did. Way to go! Wonderful to get the APN recognition too.
smithhemb Posted November 15, 2014 Posted November 15, 2014 side note for anyone who doesn't drive (or just avoids the Pike): I was surprised and delighted to discover just how close CS is to the Twinbrook Metro station. Confronted with an upholstery errand this summer, I found myself crossing the blazing hot pavement of various parking lots to reach the furniture store in question. What kept me going was that, very near the beginning of the trip, I passed CS and knew there would be a great lunch waiting for me once I was done. And the trip home (to Friendship Heights in my case) seemed much quicker than our usual drive back. 1
Kev29 Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Was great to stop in with the family last night after taking too long between visits. Especially enjoyed starting with the Arugula Prosciutto Salad with a bright vinaigrette. Little ones nicely made kids Cheese Pizza was enjoyed by both girls. Got two family standards, Encore (crumbled sausage, red onion) and Soprasetta (red sauce pie, fresh mozz, eponymous) - perfectly cooked with that right balance of firmness, elasticity, char. Couple bottles of table Sangiovese went well with the meal and you can't beat $20 a bottle. Then a couple scoops of ice cream. For me, this has to be one of the three best places to eat in Montgomery County, wonderful spot. And full at 6:30 on a Sunday. 2
DanielK Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 On 10/19/2015 at 11:57 AM, Kev29 said: .., Encore (crumbled sausage, red onion) ... This is the creation (and favorite pie) of co-owner and pizzaiolo Ankur. Pronounce carefully...
MC Horoscope Posted July 15, 2016 Posted July 15, 2016 Good review: "Pizza CS Review: A Salute to Naples on Rockville Pike" by Tim Carman on washingtonpost.com For me currently I like the flavor of their crust the best out of 2Amys, Comet PingPong, and Pizzeria Inferno. Best tomato sauce for me is currently at Pizzeria Inferno. We have some good pizzas to choose from!
Lydia R Posted July 24, 2016 Posted July 24, 2016 On 7/15/2016 at 2:39 PM, MC Horoscope said: Good review: "Pizza CS Review: A Salute to Naples on Rockville Pike" by Tim Carman on washingtonpost.com For me currently I like the flavor of their crust the best out of 2Amys, Comet PingPong, and Pizzeria Inferno. Best tomato sauce for me is currently at Pizzeria Inferno. We have some good pizzas to choose from! In his review, Tim mentions key ingredients in one of Ankur's creations: Quote In fact, the CS Margherita Extra on the specials menu — a pie topped with little blackened orbs of Piennolo cherry tomatoes grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius — popped with a mineral sweetness. <snip> The Soppressata arrives looking like a round of bubbling lava. Its looks are not deceiving: Topped with hot soppressata salami and chili flakes, the pie will burn your house down. The Picca's been on their specials menu for a few weeks and is a blast furnace compared to the Soppressata. If you've had a great Szechuan meal including a dish that almost made you shed tears of delicious pain, but kept you going back for more -- just try the Picca. It is a wondrous combination of sweet, salty, creamy, chewy, and hot, hot, hot. However, please note there is no merciful, anesthetic numbing pepper involved - your tastebuds are naked and sober. The ricotta is a mirage and will not save you. If I'm going to burn, my only request is for more char on the crust. 6
DanielK Posted November 11, 2016 Posted November 11, 2016 I don't post about it enough, but we are here all the time. Ingredients remain high quality across the board, Ankur, Jon and the staff continue to crank out great pies, everyone is super friendly, and the prices are very reasonable. And without spilling too much of the news, if you drive slowly north on Rockville Pike, and look in the strip centers on the right, there's a pretty unmistakable sign about a mile north of the joint... 1
MC Horoscope Posted November 12, 2016 Posted November 12, 2016 We love this place and their pizza! High quality is right!
Lydia R Posted April 25, 2018 Posted April 25, 2018 On 7/30/2013 at 10:17 AM, mnnchas said: I heard (from an employee during a recent visit) that the shopping center is slated for redevelopment in about a year. Has anyone else heard about this? It wasn't clear if this would be the type of redevelopment that the restaurant could operate through or if relocation would be necessary. On 7/30/2013 at 11:33 PM, seanvtaylor said: Yes, Jonathan mentioned this to us about 8 months ago. It sounded like a relocation was in the cards (or at least appeared to be, when he mentioned it). i think they've done great in that location, but I'm also confident that they could do well in a number of places around Rockville. On 7/30/2013 at 11:56 PM, rockcreek said: Pizza CS is located squarely in the highest-development segment of the Rockville Pike Master Plan (known as "South Pike.") Quoth the Master Plan (emphasis mine): "The South Pike has the greatest potential to receive the bulk of the population growth within the corridor, as well as a significant portion of the City's population growth, over the next few decades. This area also has the most potential to transform from a commercial suburban development pattern into an urban center, complementing Rockville Town Square to the north. Much of the growth and increased density in the South Pike is expected to be east of Rockville Pike for the near future." So what do you know: them boys can pick 'em! 🙂 They have (imho) a good product, and they do a good job. Let's hope the moving costs don't rake them over and more people find out about them. Master Plan is here: http://www.rockvillemd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1428 It'll be reported elsewhere on this board: yesterday, the new Twinbrook Quarter development announced their anchor tenant will be Wegmans.The parcel starts a block north of the Twinbrook Metro (where Pizza CS is located), past Congressional Lane and continues north-ish to include the building currently housing Joe's Noodle. This area totals 18 acres and is less than half the size of the White Flint parcel (44 acres) under consideration for Amazon's HQ2, but wow. From the April 11th Rockville City Planning Commission briefing (starts on page 110): No timeline yet, but Bethesda Magazine has additional information in an article by Andrew Metcalf. 1
rockcreek Posted April 25, 2018 Posted April 25, 2018 Pretty exciting stuff! We gotta have our Sunday night post-youth baseball pizza, so hopefully any disruptions are minimal.
DanielK Posted April 25, 2018 Posted April 25, 2018 10 hours ago, rockcreek said: Pretty exciting stuff! We gotta have our Sunday night post-youth baseball pizza, so hopefully any disruptions are minimal. Um, if by disruptions you mean that the building they are in is going to be razed, then yes there will be a disruption. Hopefully they will find a nearby spot to move the business.
rockcreek Posted April 26, 2018 Posted April 26, 2018 Well duh - I was positing it globally. 😁 I think we're talking about the same thing. When I talked to Jon after this whole "plan" came out, he seemed to have a pretty good understanding of the future terrain. I wouldn't be surprised to find out they have a short downtime contingency in place. (Maybe that's why CSNY is here?) Anyway, we're all agreed; develop the space, and please continue the business.
DanielK Posted April 26, 2018 Posted April 26, 2018 Agreed, redeveloping that site has always been in the plans, so I don't think Jon and Ankur were surprised by this week's announcement.
Kev29 Posted February 14, 2019 Posted February 14, 2019 1 hour ago, DonRocks said: Incidentally, I went to Pizza CS two weeks ago, and have raised that to the #1 restaurant in South Rockville - the pizza was as good as any I've had lately in the DC area (if there's currently any better pizza than this in town, please let me know). Interestingly, the best pizzas right now are coming out of Maryland - that was never the case until recently. Mine too. I've been dozens of times since they've opened and the pies are always great, every trip. 1
Lydia R Posted February 27, 2019 Posted February 27, 2019 Yesterday, Pizza CS hosted their first pizza and wine tasting featuring Davide Megna from Impero wine distributors. About 25 diners went through a slice and taste of five pizzas and Italian wine pairing. It was a good group, recruited via FB, and we tasted a variety of pizzas from their menu while Mr. Megna provided tasting notes on the wines. As I left, I thanked Ankur and mentioned this felt like a fun DR group Dim Sum meal. Pizzas we ate (wine paring): Poppi (Grigio Trebbiano, Impero) - Parmesan Cream, Ricotta, Mozzarella, Spinach, Artichoke, Roasted Peppers Encore (Gragnano, Tenuda Matilde Zasso) - Tomato, Smoked mozzarella, Sausage, Red Onion, Oregano Margherita (Sangiovese, Impero) - Tomato, Buffalo mozzarella, Basil Capri (Nero D’Avola, Montani) - Tomato, Ham, Mushroom, Olive, Artichoke, Basil Quattro (Roma Rosso, San Marco) - Mozzarella, Smoked Mozzarella, Ricotta, Gorgonzola, Garlic, Oregano The wines were well paired with the Pinot Grigio/Trebbiano blend being the biggest surprise. After having avoided Pinot Grigio for years, this blend had enough body to support the light, white Poppi pizza. To me, Gragnano is usually just fizzy and plain. My table commented that this one was a winner and several thought they’d purchase a bottle later. Nero D’Avola sometimes resembles a peppery Zin, but this one was smoother and more like a Rhone wine. Mr. Megna helpfully mentioned the newly opened Rockville Pike Craft Beer store just south of CS carried his wines. It would be great if we could muster a DR group and replicate this. 2
pras Posted November 18, 2019 Posted November 18, 2019 According to the Store Reporter, they are unfortunately closing sometime in early 2020.
DonRocks Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 12 hours ago, pras said: According to the Store Reporter, they are unfortunately closing sometime in early 2020. I might be wrong with both of these statements, but I know I'm not wrong with the third: * This may be one of the biggest recent restaurant closing announcements in the DMV. * This is my favorite pizza in the entire DMV right now. * This makes me incredibly sad. Pizza CS is currently ranked as the #1 restaurant in South Rockville in the Maryland Dining Guide. 3
seanvtaylor Posted November 19, 2019 Posted November 19, 2019 Quote I might be wrong with both of these statements, but I know I'm not wrong with the third: I wholeheartedly agree with all three. When they close, they will be sorely, sorely missed by many. 8 years is a long run, and I could understand how exhausting that was and the need they have for a break. Here's to hoping that they take some time, find a new location (maybe one only 5 minutes from my house!), and come back with more Neapolitan-style pizzas.
mnnchas Posted November 26, 2019 Posted November 26, 2019 Here here! Pour one out for Pizza CS!! And pray they find strength to bring back their Neapolitan pies somewhere.
Store Reporter Posted November 27, 2019 Posted November 27, 2019 Pizza CS has been a labor of love, but also an around-the-clock endeavor for the founders. It will be missed by many of us. Here's the Store Reporter article: "Pizza CS, Corned Beef King, hello Eerkins, and goodbye Golden Samovar" on storereporter.com
MC Horoscope Posted November 28, 2019 Posted November 28, 2019 Don't shy away from going soon! It's closing next year but not right away, said the guy taking orders who always remembers we take gorgonzola on our pizzas. 2
DanielK Posted December 3, 2019 Posted December 3, 2019 Jonny told me the other day that, while they weren't ready to share a date, "you'll be wearing shorts." I told Jonny and Ankur that I would arrange a DR gathering as the date gets closer. We can pack the place, right? 3
DonRocks Posted December 3, 2019 Posted December 3, 2019 3 hours ago, DanielK said: Jonny told me the other day that, while they weren't ready to share a date, "you'll be wearing shorts." I told Jonny and Ankur that I would arrange a DR gathering as the date gets closer. We can pack the place, right? Yes.
Sluggo Posted December 3, 2019 Posted December 3, 2019 Paid a visit to Pizza CS this week. Here is my Margherita pizza with pepperoni. Loved it. Rich tomato and a fantastic crust. Paired with a Jailbreak hefeweizen. There are no two words more delicious to say together than 'pepperoni cups.' I hope there are more pies like this in my future 6
DonRocks Posted January 31, 2020 Posted January 31, 2020 5 minutes ago, DanielK said: Any pie at Inferno in Gaithersburg, or the Sicilian at CS New York in Rockville. I actually forgot about Pizza CS until you just reminded me - I was there once last year, and it was the best pizza I've had in quite awhile. (And I know you're talking about CS New York, but I'm talking about regular old CS.) 1
DanielK Posted February 7, 2020 Posted February 7, 2020 On 12/3/2019 at 10:53 AM, DanielK said: Jonny told me the other day that, while they weren't ready to share a date, "you'll be wearing shorts." I told Jonny and Ankur that I would arrange a DR gathering as the date gets closer. We can pack the place, right? Sunday, June 14th according to Store Reporter. I'll talk with them soon about a DR gathering. 1
DanielK Posted February 14, 2020 Posted February 14, 2020 I just created a topic for the farewell event here.
Lydia R Posted March 16, 2020 Posted March 16, 2020 Sadly thinking June 14th is closer than expected: CSNY menu here: csnypizza.wixsite.com/sneaksite
DanielK Posted April 23, 2020 Posted April 23, 2020 On 4/22/2020 at 10:58 PM, MC Horoscope said: Pizza CS closed indefinitely per recorded phone message. Hope they reopen before closing. They're not going to. But their other location CSNY a mile up the street remains open. 1
DonRocks Posted May 18, 2020 Posted May 18, 2020 Pizza CS is retired in Italic, and also as the #1 restaurant in South Rockville. Their final menu is here: PizzaCS-Menu-2018.pdf 2 1
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