PIZZA, GOURMET
The super-thin crust that flies out of Emma’s kitchen is addictive in its own right. Add to that such innovative combinations as Canadian bacon, caramelized onions, and rosemary sauce, or a scallion, garlic, and gorgonzola mix. The restaurant may have just changed hands, but nearly everything else about it has stayed the same—right down to the à la carte toppings (three kinds of tomatoes, sweet and gold potatoes, capers, even dried cranberries). Friendly service (the waiters offer detailed reheating instructions) rounds out the experience. 40 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-864-8534.
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Emma’s is worth a trip for its unthinkable toppings possibilities and un-shatter-proof crust. Make a night of it, and catch a flick at the Kendall Square Cinema.
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| FOOD | DECOR | SERVICE | COST |
| 24 | 13 | 17 | $17 |
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PIZZA
Absolute thin-crust perfection. Emma's crusts are crisp and light. Any pizza topped with caramelized onions is a safe bet (try the No.5). The smoked bacon pizza with dried cranberries is heaven on a crust.
ATMOSPHERE
A very casual, clean environment that feels like a Cambridge
kitchen dinner party. Filled with brainy MIT students and Kendall Square
tech geeks who are smart enough to know where to go for good pizza.
RATING
6 SLICES (Out Of 6 Possible)
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BEST PIZZA
"these pizza joint(s)
are sublime when it comes to their perfect pies. Their savory aromas may
tease you while you stand in line, but with one bite, you'll know heaven
was worth the wait."
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Best pizza
You've gotta love a pizzeria whose color scheme matches its pies. Not, of
course, that you need us to tell you how to savor the
tomato-and-dough-hued Emma's; you already know. You dig it for the crisp,
quasi-crackery crust; for the unusually zesty, almost-smoky sauce; and for
the plucky topping combos - you've tried roasted sweet potato, baby
spinach, caramelized onion, and goat cheese on for size, and given
Gorgonzola, garlic, and scallion a whirl. Maybe you've even designed your
own funky pie with, say, ricotta and dried cranberries. After all, you're
what we call one smart cookie.
Emma's Pizzeria, 40 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, (617) 864-8534;
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If you're the impatient type, Emma's Pizza isn't ideal
on a Saturday night. Considering that the space can seat a maximum of 50
people - and taking into account its inviting atmosphere, reasonable
prices and superb food - you're easily looking at a 30 - 45 minute wait.
To add insult to injury, you could spend some of this time in the tiny
entrance swirling your Zinfandel, enviously watching happily seated diners
nibble on their delicate appetizers of flatbread topped with a
rich-looking olive fennel tapenade ($5.95)
The dining room is packed with professor-types, classy couples, elegant
elders and Garment District treasure-hunters stuffing clear plastic trash
bags underneath their chairs. Between the passionate descriptions posted
on the wine list and the spacey indie rock resonating in the background,
you may be unsure of whether you've over or underdressed for the occasion.
A server in a button up shirt tucked neatly into pressed slacks fills your
glass with water, followed by a casually dressed waitress who's anxious to
take your order. After experiencing near-starvation during the wait, you
select the olive-oil-marinated goat cheese, olives and toasted points
($5.95) for a starter.
Of course, the entree proves to be a more difficult call. First, there is
are pagnotelle ($5.95-$7.95) - warm, pressed sandwiches featuring grilled
chicken, roasted tomato, summer squash, tuna salad and a heavenly cilantro
pesto. Reasonably sized salads of baby spinach, olives and carrots dressed
in garlic mustard dressing or a red wine vinaigrette are available for
$3.95-$4.75. Then there are the stars of the menu: the famed pizzas.
The menu describes rich combinations of feta, fresh mozzarella,
caramelized onions, smoked bacon, Gorgonzola, ricotta, scallions, spicy
sausage and kalamata olives ($14.40-$19 for 16-inch pies; $10.50-$14 for
12-inch pies). If you're feeling creative, you can design your own pizza.
First, you you select from classic oregano or spicy rosemary tomato sauces
and then you choose your cheese (mozzarella, feta or goat). Finally to
throw on the toppings, which can include everything from artichokes and
Canadian Bacon to dried cranberries, roasted mushrooms and hot cherry
peppers. At $11, plus $1.75 per topping for a 16-inch pie, you might be
tempted to try two or three toppings, which really is for the best,
considering how they're heaped onto the pizza.
For those impatient folks who may be unwilling (or unable) to withstand
the wait, there may be hope for you! A trip to the takeout window shows
that Emma's offers some of the best takeout available. Even for picky
pizza traditionalists, Emma's will beat the pants off Domino's each and
every time.
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Locals usually delight in dissing all things Yale, but for some reason they defer to New Haven when it comes to pizza. There's really no need. The patrons lining up for one of the 35 seats at Emma's (40 Hampshire Street, 617-864-8534) say it slings the best pies in the Northeast, with crackling, wafer-thin crusts; about 30 interesting but not-too-outre toppings; and the ideal crust, sauce, cheese ratio. A large with goat cheese, basil, thyme roasted mushrooms and roasted tomatoes will set you back $18. For some heat, try one with rosemary sauce, hot cherry peppers and Italian sweet sausage ($14.50).