As more of my friends discover that I write restaurant reviews for The Heights, I receive more frequent restaurant recommendations, with all of my friends determined to give me a restaurant worthy of an "A" review. One of my roommates recommended Za, which offers a creative take on the traditional pizza and salad. Located in Arlington, it is a trek from Boston College, but my friend assured me it was worth the trip.
Za is short for Pizza, so you can imagine my surprise when it had a call-ahead reservation policy. Even after calling ahead on a Tuesday night, my friend and I had a short wait. The staff was very friendly and offered us a drink while we waited. The interior is warm and cozy. It is a small, intimate place with a few tall tables and large red leather booths. The walls are decorated with works by local artists available for purchase, and therefore they change fairly regularly. The atmosphere is casual and suited for many different types of diners - a family with small children, a relaxed gathering of friends, or couples out on dates.
Za offers only salads and pizza, which may sound limiting, but the restaurant puts an innovative and fun twist on everything served. For this reason, it is essential to go in with an open mind and an adventurous spirit. Pizza at Za comes with unusual toppings such as pineapple, duck, and fish. For instance, at Za, you can have a mac 'n cheese pizza, or a special called Caesar's Pizza, with creamy potatoes, onion, and mozzarella cheese topped with olive tapenade, romaine lettuce, red onion, parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, and lemon-caesar dressing. For the less daring diner, there is always the option of making your own pizza with more traditional topping choices.
The salads are even more creative than the pizza. Many of them come without lettuce, made with ingredients such as avocados, beets, black beans, and a variety of cheeses. While the menu is small, featuring only three salad and four pizza offerings, the restaurant boasts an equal number of "chalkboard specials." This menu changes daily and features salads and pizza made with ingredients that are in season.
The menu is ideal for family-style dining; with so many interesting offerings, it fun to sample them all. My friend and I decided to order a salad to share and a pizza each (intending to have leftovers). We ordered a baby spinach salad from the specials menu, containing red onion, celery root, craisins, toasted walnuts, and gorgonzola cheese lightly coated in a sherry vinaigrette. It was the perfect satisfaction for the palate while we awaited our pizzas.
We ordered pizzas that would be considered extravagant anywhere else besides Za. Mine had grilled chicken, broccoli, caramelized onions, garlic, tomatoes, and four cheeses on it. His was topped with portabella mushrooms, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, garlic, and goat cheese. Both pizzas were full of flavor and the ingredients tasted incredibly fresh. The dough was delicious, and the pizza itself was crisp, yet chewy.
Overall, Za was a really interesting experience. If you go in expecting something different, and are willing to try something new, you will really enjoy it. The setting, concept, and presentation are simple, and the cuisine is anything but. It isn't cheap, but the value is excellent, and if you are cautious and share with friends, it is easy to keep the bill low.
The service was exceptional, with a personable and attentive wait staff giving a neighborhood feel. In fact, at the end of our meal, the owner approached us, genuinely interested in how our dining experience was. My friend was right, Za was most assuredly worth the trip, and I would welcome the opportunity to go back and try another scrumptious salad or creative personal pie. A
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