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Good-old simplicity trumps artisanal pies
I’ve eaten quite a few pizzas in my life. And as you can imagine, I’ve tried pies topped with a wide assortment of ingredients – everything from pepperoni, eggplant, artichoke hearts, and wild mushrooms to clams, soy chicken, radicchio, and prosciutto. Usually it’s sauced with traditional tomato sauce; but sometimes it was replaced by pesto, peanut sauce, ranch dressing, or a thin layer of olive oil.
Rarely have I met a pizza I didn’t find delicious. I often go for the more exotic ingredients – I’d rather shell out the extra bucks for rock shrimp or white truffle oil than just plain old Margherita. Unless, of course, the pizza is from the Cheeseboard. Even the fiercest carnivores must concede that the vegetarian pizzas are worth savoring to the last bite.
The freshest seasonal ingredients are used, and in delicious combinations. And even though the consensus is divided on the idea of corn on pizza, I’m an enthusiastic proponent. Come on, sweet corn with zucchini – you can’t not love that pairing. And even though tomato slices may not be the most exciting garnish for pizza, when it’s topped off with fresh parsley, and baked on top off a crispy sourdough crust, what is there to complain about?
I’m also one of those people that likes to have a menu of options when I go out to eat, but here I actually enjoy the single choice of pizza. I love to be surprised by the changing daily offerings – it makes my slice of corn with cheese, lime, and cilantro that much more special.
1512 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley
510-549-3055
- Hours: Tue-Sat 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
A Bakesale for Grown-ups
Bakesale Betty’s fried chicken sandwich is the Temescal bakery’s most celebrated item, and for good reason. How can you possibly say no to two juicy chicken breasts with a crisp, spicy batter stuffed along with vinaigrette-dressed jalapeno cole slaw into a roll? Unless you’re a vegetarian, it’s impossible.
But equally deserving of high praise are Betty’s scones. Specifically, the apricot almond scone. Fluffy and specked with succulent bits of apricot, it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter scones this heavenly anywhere else. In fact, even if you try to convince yourself you could produce equally delicious baked goods at home you’re probably going to be tempted to give in while waiting for your order and throw in a strawberry shortcake or a slice of pie anyway, and subsequently be proven wrong.
Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland, CA 94609
(510) 985-1213
