Laura and I went to Za last night (Mass Ave in Arlington, next to the Arlington Diner). The resturant is a little on the small side perhaps 20 tables. A large chalkboard hanging in the dining room declares the days specials, all of which do seem special. A small wine-and-beer list accompanys the menu of pizza and salad.

I started with a salad of baby spinach, red onions, walnuts, apple butter, and a sherry vinaigrette, Laura had a south-west inspired salad of avocado, blackbeans, tortilla shells. I forget the rest, but the bite I had was tasty! My salad was excellent. The spinach was very fresh and the vinaigrette contrasted nicely with the apple butter.

The pizzas at Za are all 10-inch pan pizzas. Almost the perfect size for 2 people. A simple cheese pizza starts at $6, and specialty pizzas top out at $11. We decided to get a little creative with our pizza, and ordered a 'specialty pizza' off the menu: Bosc pears, carmelized onions, dried cranberries, gorgonzola, and (I believe) some scallions as a garnish. This pizza was mind-bogglingly good. If there was anything that I would've changed it is perhaps I would've blanched the pears a little before cooking the pizza as they were still crisp. I nice difference in texture, but I was hoping for a little more pear flavor out of them. I think perhaps this type of pizza will help me get a little more creative in my own pizza making.

Our meal (2 salads, pizza and two drinks), with gratuity came out to $44, about average for a night out, but at a very above average resturant.