I struggle a bit with how to rate Ajo' Dimonius, the new little pizza and pasta joint in the center of West End. It has plenty of limitations, including its small size (a couple of tables, and a few more in the alley to the side, weather permitting) and small menu (smaller from a vegetarian perspective, and nonexistent if you don't do dairy or wheat). Also, being outdoors in this neighborhood, the crowd can be a bit sketchy. Nonetheless, it's often busy.
What it has going for it is simply this: it's Italian. The people running it are Italian, they speak Italian, and they cook a tasty pizza. They aren't huge or filling pizzas, but the crust is crisp, the basil on top fresh, and comparing to the price of a decent pizza restaurant in this town, theirs are a good deal. I don't mind at all getting a margherita and heading elsewhere for dessert. I did not find the buffala a worthwhile upgrade over the margherita; costs more, less cheese, not better. I haven't tried their pasta but I imagine I will before too long.
It's cash only, but this place does have the virtue of being open all day. It's common (and understandable) for restaurants to close during that dead mid-day time between lunch and dinner, but I have an irregular schedule and I appreciate the occasional 3 pm meal. And if you go then, you'll get a table. Friday night, you might not. read more