| Around the turn of the century, lots of Italian | | | | asparagus. |
| immigrants came to San Francisco and brought | | | | Delfina's restaurant is a popular Italian eatery, and |
| pizza with them. That heritage, combined with lots | | | | their Pizzeria next door serves killer pizzas. |
| of fresh local ingredients and artisanal food | | | | They're baked in a gas oven that cooks them at |
| purveyors, gives San Francisco some of the best | | | | 770 degrees. Each night, they serve two specials |
| pizza restaurants on the West Coast. | | | | and six Neapolitan pies with a thin, crispy crust. |
| Whether you like a crispy, Neapolitan pie, a | | | | Try cherrystone clams with hot peppers, fennel |
| traditional Italian pizza, or a gourmet special with | | | | sausage, or broccoli rabe. The wine list includes |
| unusual pizza toppings, you can find it here. There | | | | some affordable Italian selections, and the |
| are terrific pizza restaurants all over the Bay | | | | desserts are good too. |
| Area. In fact, some of the best are a little out of | | | | Pizzaioli was created by Charlie Hallowell, best |
| the way. | | | | known for his years at Chez Panisse. It's located |
| If you love Naples-style pizza, drive out to Glen | | | | in the Temescal district of Oakland, but it's worth |
| Park to Gialina. The chef here, Sharon Ardiana, | | | | the drive. If there's a long wait, try to find at seat |
| cooked in several hot restaurants in the Bay Area | | | | at the wine bar, where service is pretty speedy. |
| before deciding that pizza was her true vocation. | | | | Pizzailoi serves pasta, salads and traditional |
| Her pizzas are topped with fantastic toppings like | | | | trattoria dishes in addition to Naples-style pizza. |
| all-natural, Niman Ranch pork belly. The crust is | | | | The pies here are baked in a wood-fired oven |
| surprisingly authentic considering that she doesn't | | | | and they have the requisite charring and bubbly |
| use a wood-fired oven. Save room for the Nutella | | | | edges. The toppings include novelties like squid and |
| dessert pizza. | | | | potatoes. |
| Little Star Pizza has two branches, one on | | | | Way out in Larkspur, Pizzeria Pico has been called |
| Divisadero and one in the Mission District. You can | | | | the best pizzeria in the country by Mario Batali. |
| get a thin-crust or Chicago-style, deep-dish pie | | | | Virtually everything from the mozzarella to the |
| here. Try one with ricotta cheese, spinach, feta, | | | | sausage is made in house. And they top their pies |
| and mushrooms. You can start your meal with | | | | with locally grown ingredients like nettles and |
| the yummy chicken wings. | | | | prawns. You can have a spicy arugula salad on |
| Gioia Pizzeria is a tiny, little place on Hopkins | | | | top of your pizza for a refreshing change of pace. |
| Street. The counter is usually packed with UC | | | | There's a good wine list too. |
| Berkeley students looking for a bargain lunch. If | | | | Nobody's more serious about pizza than Tony |
| there's no room at the counter, there are a few | | | | Gemignani, who owns Tony's Pizza Napoletana. |
| benches outside, or you can get your pie to go. | | | | Tony has four different pizzas oven that he uses |
| The owner, Will Gioia, couldn't find an authentic | | | | to produce perfect pies. In fact, his Pizza |
| New York pizza when he moved here, so he | | | | Margherita won the Naples World Cup in 2007. |
| opened this place in 2004. Five special pizzas | | | | Every day, he makes 73 pizzas for eager |
| change frequently. Lots for interesting toppings | | | | patrons. That's it. |
| including butternut squash, radicchio, and | | | | |