In any town in America, pizza is always readily available.
While that may be convenient, it can also be concerning. After all, who knows what is going into and on top of that pie?
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a place to go where you can be certain that the ingredients are all fresh, local, and as healthy and healthful as can be?
For those around Needham (and the many who make the well-worth-it trip), there is!
Hearth Pizzeria (www.hearthpizzeria.com) is the new creation by long-time pizza pro Ivan Milan-Pulecio. And even in a town that has many good pizza shops, Hearth has already established itself as a slice above by offering items made with ingredients that often come from as nearby as the farmers market a block away and that often go into creative combinations that others simply do not offer.
From the moment they walk in, guests can see and smell what makes Hearth different. The décor combines bright, fiery reds and yellows that evoke the fiery oven at the heart of Hearth; one that is surrounded by an open kitchen that makes any visit to Hearth nearly equal parts dinner and show, for to see Ivan and his talented team toss and top is as entertaining and encouraging as it is eventually edible and enjoyable! Dotting the walls are enormous prints of fresh veggies, just like the many you can enjoy on salads, pizzas, and all over the menu. Chef Ivan is so fond of fresh foods that he often goes to local farms and markets and decides what to make after he gets back to the kitchen! Among recent results have been an amazingly flavorful roasted corn and tomato salad and pizza, a hand-made caponata with eggplant, olives, almonds, peppers and a flair of dried fruits, a cheese-less bruschetta with local tomatoes and radishes, and watermelon gazpacho with herbs from the chef’s own garden!
In addition to an impressive selection of suggested set-ups that includes the traditional cheese (but with a non-traditional and delicious blend of mozzarella and provolone), the fig, prosciutto and bleu cheese, Roasted Garden (with a cornucopia of veggies balanced on top), the Farm Fresh (crowned with a complete arugula salad), the deconstructed Cheeseburger and the spinach-based Green Goddess, Hearth offers a Rubik’s Cube-worth of combinations that include four crusts (including whole grain, multi-grain, and an impressively imperceptible gluten-free), nine sauces (such as crushed tomato, garlic oil, pesto, BBQ, and white bean), and as many cheeses (e.g., Fontina, Goat, Cheddar, Romano, and Feta). Once those decisions have been made (Relax- the friendly staff is more than happy to support you!), choose from over 30 different proteins (from bacon and chicken to pepperoni and tofu), seasonings (super-fresh basil, parsley, scallions, etc.), locally-sourced veggies (among which are artichoke hearts, blended mushrooms, sautéed or shaved onions and Yukon Gold potatoes) and a tantalizingly broad category that can only be called “other” (which ranges from arugula to pineapple and capers to spicy banana peppers). While the possibilities may make your head spin, they are sure to make your mouth water!
As Milan-Pulecio’s menu is so creative and open to creativity, it may be no surprise to learn that, in addition to the myriad pizza options, they also offers nearly as many preparations of both salad and pasta. So while the Ancient Grain salad is a super-healthful treat, with its coronary-friendly combo of millet, quinoa, brown rice, spinach and more, the options for greens and most other colors of vegetables are impressive and allow even those who do not prefer the pie to partake in a particularly plentiful palate of plates. Same goes for the pasta. While the pre-determined (but always changeable) options include chicken, broccoli and cheese, eggplant parmesan or meatballs, the curated quartets of shapes, sauces, meats and toppings allow for even picky eaters to pick their faves.
As if all this were not enough, Hearth also offers calzones and freshly-pressed paninis with meat or veggies, as well as a select set of wraps. While these may not allow for the artistic license of other options, they do make for a great quick bite or to-go option. No matter when you drop in or stay in, a seasonal soup like the hearty lentil or summery gazpacho can make a great addition. Perhaps the best reason to save room at Hearth, however, are Milan-Pulecio’s desserts, which include the open-ended sundae bar, seasonal hits like a killer key lime pie, traditional house-made Tiramisu, and assorted cookies in regular or gluten-free.
As the options are so plentiful and so tempting, Hearth wisely offers a wide array of beverages, including milkshake-worthy chocolate milk (it’s not just for kids, Folks!), domestic beers and a well-described set of wines, fresh fruit sangrias, Real City sodas, and their signature takes on tea and lemonade and combos thereof. From first bite to last sip, the creativity and quality are evident and make repeat visits easy to handle and worth the effort every time. And what makes each visit even more rewarding is the fact that Hearth donates proceeds to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry program (www.nokidhungry.org), so your healthy eating can even help others eat healthy as well!
Speaking of kids, Hearth has a creative (natch) menu just for smaller diners with original art to color and games to play while they wait for their grown ups to make up their minds on which treat to try next. As with the adults, kids are also rewarded for their participation with cookies and ice cream that come with any meal. On Tuesdays, Hearth ups the multi-generational ante with a family night that offers kids free food when their grown-ups order meals. No matter how old you are, Fridays at Hearth means 3-for-2 pizzas, which makes everyone happy!
With its bright colors, myriad options and special weekly and seasonal offerings, Hearth Pizzeria is surely not your typical pizza joint; but with its array of fresh, local produce and hand-made love and care, that is apparently the point!