Hold the tomato sauce, please!

27 Church St, Cambridge, MA 02138 (map)

I order the #5 each and every time I eat there. Their potato pizza with fontina, parmigiano, and romano cheeses is seasoned with rosemary and garlic, and then topped off with a scattering of fresh scallions. There is just something about the creaminess of the fontina cheese that is piped on top and the tenderness of the potatoes that makes me want to eat this at least once a week. Paired with their bibb lettuce salad and a glass of red wine, this is a perfect meal for any night after a long day at work or when you just want to have a casual dinner with friends. Also a great place for lunch if you work in Harvard Square. (half: $8 / full: $15)

40 Hampshire St, Cambridge, MA 02139 (map)

Tucked away in Kendall Square and always full of locals, Emma’s makes an awesome thin crust pizza. Here’s an example of a restaurant that is willing to make substitutions (and who won’t cringe at the request that they slice my pizza with a clean knife): I love the #19 with Canadian bacon, caramelized onions, and mozzarella but instead of their rosemary [red] sauce, I have it made with their garlic-infused olive oil. Add some sliced red bliss potatoes and talk about a heavenly meal! A great choice before/after seeing a movie at the Kendall Theatre or a night of pool at Flat Top Johnny’s. (12 inch: $14.50 / 16 inch: $18.50 with the added topping)

991 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138 (map)

Another restaurant in Cambridge where pizza is a delicious menu option, although you’ll find it listed as grilled flatbread instead. Alongside an order of their famed homemade tater tots, you’ll always find a hefty serving of their roasted mushroom flatbread creation in front of me. Served on a wooden cutting board, it’s seasoned with thyme and herbed ricotta, and then topped with dressed arugula. A great choice for date night or for a more intimate setting (upstairs), and the same menu is available for lunch. (one size: $13)

187 Elm St, Somerville, MA 02144 (map)

A new restaurant in Somerville’s Davis Square, Pizzeria Posta features wood-fired pizza, small plates, a wine bar and cocktails. It also has a really nice atmosphere with an open kitchen where you can watch them cook your pizza in a huge oven. Their pizzas are quite pricy for the portion that you get: big enough for one person, but if you split it you’ll definitely have room for one of their tasty desserts. The mushroom pizza features shiitakes, parmesan crema, fior di latte (that’s a fancy way of saying mozzarella), and oregano on a chewy crust. The shiitake mushrooms are nice, thick, and juicy and they offer a rich flavor. Paired with a half carafe of the Matana Primitivo red wine from Italy, you’ll still have room in your budget to split the cannolis for two dessert. (one size: $18)

67 Main St, Charlestown, MA 02129 (map)

I know that Todd English has four of these restaurants, but the one I’m used to going to is the Charlestown location. My coworkers and I love to make the short drive from our office in Somerville out to Charlestown (it’s much closer than you think) for a nice pizza and salad lunch outing. I can usually convince someone to split the Portobello pizza with me because it’s consistently delicious each time. They make it with Portobello mushrooms, a wild mushroom puree, roasted red onions, fontina cheese and truffle oil. It goes nicely with a Caesar salad. The portions are a good size so after splitting a salad and pizza, everyone leaves with happy bellies. (one size: $18)