Johnna’s Pick of the Week: The Liberty Tavern (VA)

[ 0 ] June 10, 2009 | Johnna

So we’ve been talking a lot about Virginia lately. Here we go again. Smile, this Pick of the Week sure made us want more of the state for Lovers. So we’ve had the wine and tasted the burgers, but this time we went for the pizza. While chalking it up with some other area food bloggers, they alerted us to the pizza that one blogger said, and we quote, “the best pizza in the area”. Could this be true?? Could the pizza at Pizzeria Paradiso and 2 Amys be outdone by a spot that has only about 6 pizza’s on its menu?? Yes, we found, there is some tight competition on the other side of the bridge and its at none other than this years RAMMY winner (*Best Neighborhood Gathering Place), The Liberty Tavern.

We went in with low expectations especially with the type of pizza that the food bloggers had suggested to try. The Vermont (*How can apples on pizza taste good?). Now never having been to Vermont, we didn’t really know what a pizza named after Vermont should have on it (*All that comes to mind when thinking of Vermont is snow…and more snow.). We were pleasantly surprised to find out how well Prosciutto, caramelized onions, sage, Cabot white cheddar (*We love Cabot cheeses!) and Granny Smith Apples go together on wood fired pizza dough. It gave all the pizza joints we’ve been to in the area a real run for their money. The Americano was worth an honorable mention, but it’s really the Vermont pizza that you have to make a trip across the border for.

We must say Chef Liam (*A graduate of the prestigious New England Culinary Institute) has brought the DMV area the best of Vermont. Additionally, the restaurant does match up to its title as the best “Neighborhood Gathering Place” where the atmosphere is chill and relaxed but a great place to catch a game and meet new people. It’s the type of place where “Everybody Knows Your Name” (*For those of you who missed the age of “Cheers”, the quote was the theme song of one of America’s favorite ’80’s sitcoms). Go, try the Vermont and route for your favorite NBA team (*That is, unless your mad your team didn’t make it to the Playoffs… Cheers!

Picture source: http://www.thelibertytavern.com/home.php

Category: cultural cooking, Johnna's Pick of the Week, Washington D.C.

About the Author (Author Profile)

Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.