Barry G, GS and Peter P, grappa logic

Barry, George, Giovi and Peter chiselled in the Leica.
Friends evolve, slithering through life with their own reality shows and punctuations. What is forever clear and revered are the cherished spontaneities and their delicious attributes when friends harness some time together. This was a Sunday in Georgetown, DC.
Enter the world of Peter Pastan. Most of you will do so only by visiting two of the greatest restaurants in the nations capital, Two Amys Pizzeria and Obelisk Ristorante. You will transcend the noteriety of great and actually click your heels and believe through taste that you are sincerely in Italia. It is so rarefied that I am lucky that it is not in my hood as I would be addicted, diluted of virtue, and entering the world of wall-e by weight and girth.
My fortuitous moment was literally driven by Barry Glovitch, the president of Vias Imports in NYC. Barry is a grade A mensch who has been a friend and advisor since we first met 17 odd years ago. We now work together and get to study the world of wine through similar sales glasses. We drove to the temple together.
I had requested a visit with the yoda Peter on a perky afternoon. I was in town visiting my girlfriend and also quietly celebrating the landing of Giovi by the glass in the pizzeria. This is the first sighting south of the CT. border so for me it is phat. A special art rendition was done in the bar section; it's merits were the size and truism, but also the Spanish touch brought by an in house server. We captured the game of laughter and luminosity over lunch and had to give over to a photo moment.
Lunch must be mentioned. Mind you, and anyone else making or serving foods, EVERYTHING was made in house. Beuatiful anchovies cast only with oil, sardines wirh a chew that makes you square up fish presence, amazing cod baccala croquettes, sublime cured meats, original open face sandwiches with homemade mustard and accoutremonts. Wine speaks clearly of the Italian varietals of the south and beyond, beers are off the hook for selection of Italia that are profound, even mineral water is head and shoulders above normal. The pizzas are a direct hit from Napoli; a crust perfect with chew, texture, burnt rim, the impeccable blance of moisture to meatiness. There are originals and the avante garde family to choose from. The foods are really superb, and the place is like Naples on any given night. Put it on your hit list.
Peter and I have known each other for a couple of decades. I will never forget that I used to fly from Providence to DC, grab the metro and end up at Dupont Circle in time for his masterful cappucino. For a minimum of two hours we would net volley on the geekiest of Italian wine matters as I pontificated the virtues of Winebow wines. Work then was a pleasure because we were on the hunt for discovery and perfection in the glass. In the middle of the room was an opulent display of another passion- grappa. I knew that eventually this would be a place to feature the wondrous spirts that come from Sicily.
When I put together my team of artists in my retirement dream paradise both of these guys are selected for starting positions. And while the weather remians a bit edgy wherever you are, please give yourself the time for a corrected coffee, aka grappa tuned, and the moment to savor friends and food.
Next foray: the Sicilian tabloid.............