Menomale: Pizza Napoletana

By Noelia Veras

Located on the corner of 12th Street is the Italian restaurant Menomale: Pizza Napoletana. Menomale’s name comes from the common  Italian phrase which means “thank goodness.” The restaurant is best known for its authentic Italian cuisine and is located extremely close to the Catholic University campus.

From a street view, Menomale is hard to miss because of its striking red awning and its patio area enclosed by clear plastic. The picturesque restaurant is charming both on the exterior and the interior. Inside are shelves protected by glass containing novelty ornaments and small artwork. The flooring itself is artwork, including various colors and reflective glass and employing traditional Italian patterns. The whole space is engulfed with art and small details from Italy, imbuing a historically rich atmosphere.

Menomale offers an authentic Italian experience, not just because of the artwork but also because of the food. The restaurant prides itself on the fact that the ingredients featured on the menu are from the Campania region Italy. There is also a huge emphasis in the restaurant on making pizza the way it was historically intended, without the unnecessary preservatives and unhealthy artificial flavors seen in the big American pizza franchises.

Menomale also prides itself on its inclusivity, hiring very diverse people to invite everyone to participate in the Italian experience that is Menomale. The staff includes people from not only various parts of the country, but also from all around the world including Italy, Bulgaria, Honduras, and Cuba.

The owners, Ettore Rusciano from Italy and Maria Rusciano from Bulgaria, are certified by Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, which is relevant since they specialize in pizza from Naples, Italy.

Menomale is fairly low-key and has a friendly atmosphere as the waiters are extremely accommodating and kind. The restaurant is also unique because of its cooking technique, hand-crafting pizza in temperatures higher than 900 degrees to achieve a balanced result of both crispness and softness. Popular items on the menu are the Margarita Pizza and the Diavola Pizza. The restaurant also accommodates for gluten allergies and makes gluten-free dough. Not only does Menomale offer pizza, but it  also offers salads, calzones, sandwiches and desserts. The pizza is very well made and tastes authentic.

Menomale is located in Brookland, just nine minutes away by car and 24 minutes away on foot.

“I really like Menomale because of its proximity to campus and because it is so delicious” said freshman architecture major Kiera Kennealy. “I love Italian food and I also really like renting bikes and going with my friends to just sort of make a full day out of it.”

Overall, Menomale is an extremely satisfying experience. It is the perfect place to go with your friends on a weekend when you want to get away from campus but not go to far away, and the staff is very welcoming. This restaurant is definitely a staple in Brookland, and a very popular place for Catholic University students.