Dragonfly Tavern | Rochester, New York
This neighborhood gathering spot is reminiscent of a ski lodge. The full menu features appetizers, chicken wings, pizza, salads, burgers and brunch items. “I think what defines our pizzeria is that we put so much care into the food we produce without taking ourselves too seriously,” says social media director and pizza maker Jeanna Natale. “With so many pizza places in our area, we like to joke that ‘we serve the best pizza within the next 10 feet.’ Each month, Dragonfly showcases a sought-after featured pie. A recent monthly special was the Birria Pizza with mozzarella, house-made birria, consommé, salsa de arbol, radishes, onion and cilantro. Dragonfly has been able to adjust over the past year of uncertainty. Moving forward, Natale says, “We plan to elevate our business this year by continuing to improve our craft. We were recently forced to operate as a takeout only business and we used that time to try out new recipes. Now that we’re fully open we are working to implement these new recipes and change up our menu.”
Nella Pizza e Pasta | Chicago, Illinois
The Hyde Park Neapolitan pizzeria is abuzz with local acclaim. A classically trained pizzaiola and Napoli native, owner Nella Grassano opened Nella with her husband, Francesco, in 2017. The Neapolitan pizza and pasta-focused menu also features antipasti, insalate, second piatti, risotto and calzoni. The Pizze menu highlights the Pescatore with tomato sauce, mozzarella, calamari, shrimp, mussels, clams, garlic and oregano and the Troisi with sausage, mozzarella and rapini. The pasta menu features the Sarracino with pappardelle, mussels, Pecorino, black truffle, garlic oil and white wine.
White Pie | Denver, Colorado
White Pie has a Denver and Colorado Springs location and serves up New Haven-style pizza. It’s Share menu has some unique finds like House Puff, oven puffed bread with whipped garlic rosemary butter and the Beef Carpaccio with thinly sliced beef tenderloin, fresh cracked pepper, pesto, Castelvetrano olives, shaved Parmesan, arugula and lemon juice. A standout on the pizza menu is the White Pie with crème fraiche, mozzarella, garlic, bacon, crimini mushroom and sunny egg.