JAZZY’S VEGAN REVIEW: MAMA’s

I’M NOT GONNA LIE, PIZZA DOESN'T CALL MY NAME THE WAY IT CALLS YOURS & FOR THAT I AM NOT SORRY… BUT, BEGINNING TODAY, & FOREVER-ALWAYS, I WILL JUMP OFF THAT BRIDGE, PARACHUTE BE DAMNED, IF I CAN LAND - MOUTH OPEN, EYES WIDE - INTO MAMA'S FOR A SLICE …  

   I PASSED BY IT ON MY FIRST GO-ROUND AS I JOURNEYED INTO D.C.’S SOUTHEAST SIDE, HEADED TO MARTHA’S TABLE FOR THRIFTED THREADS & RARE BOOKS! 

    strolling along martin luther king jr. ave s.e., i felt my spirit jump in front of me & squeeze me into a sacred space of community and love!  i didn’t know i was missing the ocean, until it arrived & blew my back out as i rode its dangerously deep depths into unmasked bliss.  my first stop was a beautiful neighborhood coffee shop/library/plant haven-not too far from mama’s, called grounded, where i enjoyed a hot cup of scrumptious caffeine-free golden chai-featuring turmeric, ginger, lemongrass & peppercorn.  i added lavender syrup & oat milk which gently pushed me further into the ocean's very subtle waves!  turmeric’s richness grounded me completely and opened my sacral & root chakras in a way that permitted me to receive all the nutrients GOD was graciously pouring into me.  the lavender infused a delicate touch of sweetness my body craved with the edge, warmth & spice of peppercorn, ginger & lemongrass filling my mouth with intense satisfaction.  after dropping off the secret life of bees in the little book library along the ada ramp & scooping up midnight rooms by donyae coles in exchange, i shared a two-top with a lovely lady seeking a few hours of solace while waiting for her daughter’s play-date to conclude.  i sang-quietly-but, aloud nonetheless, as musical vibes floated about the air padding my heart space with creative aspirations and homely familiarity..  i was completely drunk on inspiration & freedom for hours… insert mama's!!  understandable rapacity & youthful curiosity had entered the chat with enthusiasm, refusing to miss a rare opportunity to tap into the taste-bud unknown.  so, i gathered my belongings, bid adieu to my new friend, took a bathroom video of my outfit & hungrily picked up stride on the ave, where i'd proudly left off. 

“friends”- showcasing the episode where rachel unsuccessfully seduces joey, ross-although uneventful for him-has his first threesome, chandler & monica secretly explore their new relationship & phoebe has two heart attacks-danced in & out of my ears as i scanned the menu for something vegan.  in the past, i’d come across pizza spots that offered to make a vegan pizza for me & decided to ask for this once i realized the menu belonged to meat eaters & dairy lovers alike.  i hadn't planned on eating in-as the outside was basking in precious sunshine & i wanted to reverently soak up GOD'S rays-but it seemed the day didn’t belong to me; accurately slicing through my comfort zone without permission.  once the very hospitable cashier agreed to cook up a specialty pizza for me, i proceeded to place my order for a medium tomato-pie full of veggies, spice & deliciousness..  i lovingly turned the key into this door of fellowship that’d opened specifically for me, sat at a 4-seater high top, spoke to everyone that entered the venue & tuned into one of my favorite shows-laughing like no one was watching; mad people watched though!!

(YOU CAN FIGHT ME IF YOU WANT, BUT I LOVE FRIENDS) - i will die on this hill...

YOU SEE ALL THAT EVERYTHANG??!!!

white onions, mushrooms, extra jalapenos, black olives and diced green bell peppers

    i'll be uploading a video to my instagram of me biting into the first slice & the first slice only-since, after that, i forgot i had a phone. i actually forgot i was eating in public.  i'd been launched into home-sweet-home without warning and ate like seconds were waiting patiently for my beck & call.  every single ingredient on that pizza-along with the hot sauce, black pepper, garlic seasoning & red chili flakes i added-gave me the feels.  i laughed at my innocence and bravely lounged in the pure joy that stemmed from my trying something new.  i even had the opportunity to share with a gentleman that roamed in asking for spare change.  i offered him a slice instead, which forced tears to the corner of both eyes as elation surfaced to greet me with open arms.  i don't even like olives!  (i typed that with a frown on my face btw).  but, they snapped on this pizza.  i truly believe the chef took great pleasure in creating this meal for me, considering every bite felt like a big mama hug & kiss on each cheek.  i can't wait to journey back into mama's and i hope you'll join me on my next adventure into the unknown!!