Much Betta...

Let's see, it was a Friday night, and we were in need of a quick dinner option. Neither of us were in the mood to cook, and I wanted pizza. The easy and somewhat standard option was simply to head over to the local Papa John's, but Karlen was more in the mood for a pizza that she tried with a friend of hers, so down to Norwood we headed...to Betta's Italian Oven.

Betta's is new to me, but it's a great little place and one I'm sure we'll be frequenting more often now that we know it's around. It's takes up a couple of storefronts along Montgomery Rd. in Norwood - thankfully with parking around back - and has a great atmosphere of a family restaurant - decidely non-chain (which is a big bonus for us). There's a walk-up counter for take-out (and the eventual settling of the bill) where you can see the salads and antipasto items - like roasted red peppers and a couple of what look like wonderful pasta salads. Behind the counter then, is a large wood-fired pizza oven.

The menu, then, is centered around that oven with great, thin semi-gourmet (but not fancy and stupid) pizzas. We had the margherita pizza with a couple of side salads (I'd steer clear of the tangy garlic house dressing - a little too harsh with the white vinegar for me). Great flavor and crunch to the pizza - especially with the standard red pepper flakes thrown about. And, admittedly, we finished splitting a couple of great desserts - the NY-style cheesecake and a wonderful tiramisu. All for right at $20 for the two of us.

For those of you with a slightly more adult taste, I do warn that Betta's doesn't have a liquor license but does welcome you to bring your own adult refreshment - for a $5 corking fee.

Good stuff all in all - inexpensive cost, good atmosphere, family friendly, great food - five stars in my book. Check out their menu online through BearCash Coupons - though the coupons are expired.

Other quick shoutouts to my other favorite pizza places around the city: Dewey's, Papa John's, and Pomodori's.