A quick service version of Pizza Paradiso has opened a new location at the National Landing Water Park.
Pizza Paradiso Pronto is currently “soft opening” its new fast-casual pizzeria at 1611 Crystal Drive in Crystal City, serving up personal pies and pizza by the slice, as well as salads, paninis and craft beer. Guests can now try a taste ahead of the shop’s official opening this Friday.
The menu includes a variety of 9- and 12-inch pies including margherita, “bosco” with spinach, mozzarella, mushrooms and red onions and the “napoletana” with basil, anchovies, capers and mozzarella. This is Pizza Paradiso’s first fast-casual location, promising timely — or “pronto” — service.
“‘Pronto’ means quick in Italian, and with our advanced electric oven, a 9″ pizza comes out perfectly cooked in just 3–4 minutes,” the business’ website says. “We’re currently in our soft opening phase, so come be among the first to experience it.”
Pizzas are joined on the menu by offerings like brick oven buffalo chicken wings, bruschetta and garlic knots, as well as with meatball and caprese-style paninis. A trio of salads include the “romana,” with escarole, marinated artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, white beans and grana padano cheese in a garlic dressing.
The new pizzeria is replacing a vacancy left last year by a similar restaurant, the former Crush Pizza & Wine.
The Crystal City spot is now Pizza Paradiso’s only brick-and-mortar location in Northern Virginia, along with four others spread Georgetown, Dupont Circle and Spring Valley in D.C., and Hyattsville, Md.
Pizza Paradiso’s former Alexandria location closed in 2020, but the pizzeria returned as a pop-up in Old Town North last year.
Other recent arrivals at Water Park include burrito-bowl-and-burger eatery Monstera Burrito and bubble tea purveyor Spot of Tea. Another new vendor, Duke’s Burgers, is coming soon, promising the same burgers and pub food from Duke’s Grocery in D.C.
