Mom & Pop to Open Wednesday at Mosaic District

Mom & Pop opens Wednesday at Mosaic District in Merrifield. The business is owned by Robb Duncan and Violeta Edelman, also co-owners of Dolcezza Gelato & Coffee.

For the new endeavor, Dolcezza partnered with a variety of local DC artisans such as Nate Anda of Red Apron Butchery, to offer pre-packaged sandwiches and snacks. A freezer with pints of Dolcezza’s seasonal gelato and push pops will also be available along with several varieties of Stumptown coffee and morning pastries from Paisley Fig by Room 11.

Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The two describe the reason for the name, in a news release:

“The name Mom & Pop resonates with us on many levels. First, we are mom & pop at home with our two little girls, and we have always been a mom & pop to all the folks who come and work with us at Dolcezza. Second, the term mom & pop has this homemade, family business feel to it, which obviously jives with us.”

Sandwiches available on Mom & Pop’s opening menu will include:

• Grilled Cheese with Red Apron’s spicy smoked pimento cheese
• Ham, sliced ham with salted butter and aged cheddar cheese
• Smoked Chicken Salad with cranberries, celery, smoked mayo, sour cream, onions and parsley

A variety of seasonal quiches will also be available with current standouts such as Asparagus & Swiss; Bacon & Cheddar, and Kale, Feta and Spinach. All sandwiches and quiches will come with a choice of chips or mixed greens. Guests can also select from a variety of antipasti items such as Marinated Olives; Sundried Tomatoes; Marinated Artichokes; Smoked Almonds; Chickpea Chorizo, cooked chickpeas tossed with a sherry and chorizo vinaigrette, garnished with cilantro, diced Spanish chorizo and pickled red onions. Prices range from $2 to $20.

Additionally, for the perfect pairing, Mom & Pop will offer two red wines, two white wines, three beers, and one Prosecco, all of which will be available on tap. Prices range from $8 to $15.

Robb Duncan designed the 900-square-foot, glass-enclosed storefront, which is situated outside the Angelika Theatre, within the Mosaic District’s Strawberry Park.

Using a minimalist approach with materials such as cedar wood, concrete, steel and glass, the attention stays focused on the four surrounding glass walls with the outside spilling into the space.

“We are situated in the middle of a park in a glass box,” says Duncan. “We would be fools not to focus on the natural settings all around us, nobody designs better than mama nature.”

The restaurant will be open Monday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday, from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dolcezza can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/dolcezzagelato and on Twitter @