Za

So disappointing. Looks great on paper, unique offerings, nice space, great service, but very below average pizza. Un-seasoned dough, a lack of sauce on all four we tried, and too pricey for the amount you get. If you're going to focus on one thing and one thing only, at least make it worthwhile. more

Tremendous gourmet pizza. Interesting original creations (like Figs but more imaginative), delicious salads, decent selection of wine and beer. Easy street parking just north of the Cambridge line *and* with a drink, a salad, and a pizza it's hard to spend more than $20. Management and waitstaff are friendly and gracious; when a friend was dining alone last winter, the manager approached her and asked if she'd like a paper to read as she waited for her meal. When she said yes, he went out to the nearest box and *bought* her one. . . . Can't be beat. Pros: Great food, value; very friendly Cons: No reservations, and they get busy on the weekends more

My family and I went there recently one Saturday in the late afternoon. We had 9 adults and 5 children so we called ahead and had reservations. We all thought the selection was really interesting. We each tried something different so we had the opportunity to split and share dishes and taste something new. My pizza, (strawberries, carmelized onions, goat cheese, walnuts and fresh basil) and salad was great and everyone else in our party was happy with their choices too. The service was prompt and friendly and I think the decor is very nice. All in all we had a pleasant experience and great food. I highly recommend Za and will go back soon. Pros: Very unique selection of pizzas more

The first time we went on a Saturday it was full of screaming babies so we didn't stay. We tried again on a quiet Sunday afternoon. The waiter seemed uncomfortable. He kept pushing specific pizzas and salads on us even after we had already made up our minds. The pizza with mashed potatoes, arugula, and pepperoni was not bad. But, you could barely detect any mashed potatoes. (Incidently, this was one of the pizzas the waiter had been pushing us to order.) The tomato and mozzarella pizza (with garlic as an extra topping) was boring. They hardly put any extra garlic on it. The tomato sauce lacked any tang to it. The waiter later seemed to disapprove that we didn't like his choice of pizza better than my choice. The salads were small for the $7+ prices. The romaine lettuce was cut up into tiny pieces with too much dressing so the salad stuck together like a semi-loose glob. The worst part was dessert. I ordered the cranberry-egg nog creme brule with whipped cream. The waiter set down clean spoons and napkins and then said, ""Enjoy."" But, he hadn't left the dessert. He showed up 20 minutes later with the creme brule I ordered. The top was thin and crispy as it should be. But, the creme brule was curdled - not even close to custard smooth. The cranberries at the bottom were tiny and few, and the whipped cream was a nasty off-white color (which I scooped off). We had to wait 20 minutes for that dessert even though we were the only customers left. The waiter was insistant in asking our opinion of the dessert. When I gently informed him that the creme brule was curdled, he didn't understand what I meant. I tried to explain. But, I could tell he didn't get it so I didn't press it. I had some nasty bowel problems by the time I got home. I'll sum up: The atmosphere is stark but not uncomfortable. The service is just strange and uneven. The food isn't worth trying for the price. And, the dessert actually made me ill. I recommend you do not try this place. Pros: Nothing good comes to mind Cons: Street parking, below average food, pushy service, bland ambience, more

The pizza is great. The salads are wonderful. Although the menu is limited to pizza and salads (and a couple of deserts), the ingredients follow the seasons and each new season brings new and delightful creations. Spring brought a cherry and gorgonzola ""za"" to die for. Try the homemade sausage! Mmmm mmm. All the salads are amazing. Nice, but limited selection of wines. Service can be a bit slow during the more crowded times, but the food is worth the wait. Great place to go before or after catching a movie at the Capitol. Pros: great food, casual, reasonably priced more

An unpretentious and casual place, ZA has differentiated itself from the others. Their pizza comes in one size: 10"". A plain cheese pizza is $6.00. The toppings are anything from the usual peppers and onions, to goat cheese, pears, applewood smoked bacon, and their homemade sausage, to say the least. The crust is flat much like the traditional ""pub pizza"" known to many on the south shore. Their dough is fresh made daily as is their sauce. Salads are unusual, fresh, tasty, but a tad expensive. Service is outstanding. The atmosphere is casual, and very clean. Steven, the manager, goes out of his way with customer service and is always smiling. He has a genuine interest in all his customers. The place is almost always packed, especially on weekends. Best to go for lunch if you want to get a seat without waiting and avoid the night-time crowds. Pros: Reasonable, Good Value, Quality Ingredients Cons: only pizza & salads more

I went, I ate, it was the freshest pizza i have ever had !!! I'll go again and again. I only wish they delivered. more

from the owners of the fantastic EVOO comes this new pizza/salad/wine spot. it's very casual but the quality is high, we love it... more