Kosher Pizza Now an Option at the JCC's New Cafe

Big changes are here for D.C.'s kosher dining scene. This week, restaurateur Josh Katz of kosher restaurant Ben Yehuda Pizza in Silver Spring opened a new venue at the Washington DC Jewish Community Center in Dupont Circle. It's called Silver Crust, and the cafe's menu features an Italian twist. Think dairy and vegan items like pizza, pasta, seasonal fish dishes, salads, panini sandwiches and daily seasonal soups.

Ben Thorpe is Silver Crust's executive chef and general manager, coming to the restaurant from the Grand Union Hotel in Fort Benton, Montana. He'll focus on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine at Silver Crust, and his background includes majoring in religious studies with a minor in Judaic studies.

Silver Crust's hours are 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Fridays. All Silver Crust food and products will be prepared in accordance with Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington (Vaad) Status: Soft opening this week, with a grand opening on Monday, January 26. 1529 16th St. NW; Facebook; website