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    Eat Right: Best Pizza from Restaurants Where You Wouldn’t Expect It

    Columbus has plenty of great pizza places, but some of the best pies in town can actually be found on the menus at restaurants that specialize in things other than pizza. Check out these excellent options from restaurants where you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find great pizza.

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    CBC Restaurant
    525 Short St. — Brewery District
    The Brewery District favorite serves an array of wood-fired pizzas. The Santa Fe is popular, with black bean “hummus,” pico de gallo, roasted sweet corn, chipotle chile sauce, provolone and cheddar, drizzled in cilantro aioli. Or try the spicy Bye Bye Miss American Pie, with house-made fennel sausage, sliced banana peppers and pepperoni.

    Due Amici
    67 E. Gay St. — Downtown
    Downtown’s modern Italian restaurant serves crowd-favorite pizzas at lunch and dinner. Go for the Sopressata with spicy marinara; the Mushroom with ricotta, mozzarella and thyme; or the Tuscan Chicken with pesto, roasted tomatoes, bell peppers, fresh mozzarella and pecorino.

    Forno Kitchen and Bar
    721 N. High St. — Short North
    “Forno” means oven in Italian, so it’s fitting that this trendy Short North spot serves up some great stone-fired pies. Pizzas are cooked at 750 degrees to give a rustic, charred crust. Try the Mediterranean, with artichoke, pepperoncini, red onions, olives and mozzarella; the Shrimp with alfredo sauce, red onion and parmesan; or the Forno Chicken, with roasted red pepper puree, asparagus, red onion, goat cheese and roasted red peppers.

    La Scala
    4199 W. Dublin-Granville Rd. — Dublin
    La Scala’s best known as a banquet and reception hall, but the Dublin restaurant also offer a fine dining menu of Northern Italian cuisine. Pizzas here are hearth-baked in a wood-fired oven. Favorites are the decadent Black Forest Pizza with roasted mushroom marinara, fontina and truffle oil; the Artichoke Florentine Pizza with artichoke hearts, spinach, fontina, black olives and garlic; and the Cajun Chicken Pizza with onions and mushrooms in a Cajun cream sauce.

    Local Roots
    15 E. Olentangy St. — Powell
    Many of the ingredients found on the menu at Local Roots are grown on the Iams family farm just outside downtown Powell—and the chicken, pork, beef and bison are locally sourced from Ohio farms. You can build your own pizzas topped with those farm-fresh toppings, or choose from specialty pies like the Carnivore Bliss (with Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni and ham) or the Veggie Nirvana (with homemade pesto, onions, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, Kalamata olives, Portobello mushrooms and fresh mozzarella).

    Lomonico’s
    Editor’s Note: now closed
    1506 Stonecreek Drive — Pickerington 
    The popular chef-driven restaurant recently opened a location Downtown, and both offer a nice selection of wood-oven pizzas. In Pickerington, try the Smoked Chicken Pizza with red pepper pesto, red onion, jack cheese and cilantro; when you’re Downtown go for the Roasted Vegetable with house red sauce, mozzarella, pepperonata, mushrooms, ricotta and arugula. Both locations serve the Blanco, with ricotta, mozzarella, confit garlic and herbs.

    Milestone 229
    229 S. Civic Center Drive — Downtown
    The pizzas are as spectacular as the views at Milestone 299, which is entering prime patio season. Take in the Scioto Mile while enjoying the Crispy Pig pizza, with shaved Bay’s ham, Kentucky double-smoked bacon, red onion, shaved Brussels sprouts, chow-chow and smoked provolone; or the Roasted Mushroom with sweet leeks, garlic confit, provolone and Maytag bleu cheese.

    The Rossi Bar & Kitchen
    895 N. High St. — Short North
    The Rossi’s chef’s entrees and specials are worth
    But the New York-style pizzas are a standby. Patrons love the simple Margherita, with fresh mozzarella, roasted Roma tomatoes, pecorino romano, olive oil and fresh basil. Or make your own creation with toppings such as prosciutto di Parma, Italian sausage, imported anchovies, roasted garlic, roasted peppers or giardiniera.

    Vino Vino
    1371 Grandview Ave. — Fifth by Northwest
    Sister restaurant Figlio gets more attention for their wood-fired pizzas, but the cozy Italian bistro next door has some delicious pizzas as well! Go for the Truffled Mushroom with portabellas, prosciutto and gorgonzola, or the Grilled Chicken Flatbread with sun-dried tomatoes, gorgonzola and caramelized onions.

    Z Cucina
    1368 Grandview Ave. — Fifth by Northwest
    What sets the pizzas apart at this modern Italian restaurant? They make their own ricotta and mozzarella in house! Get the Grilled flatbread pizzas, topped with that house fresh mozzarella. Or try the Roasted Steak with poached egg, asparagus, gorgonzola and dried tomato; as well as the Parma Prosciutto with goat cheese, artichoke, tomato and spring herb pesto.

    dine-originals

    Dine Originals Columbus celebrates, supports and promotes the culinary diversity that locally owned and operated member restaurants contribute to the identity and culture of our city. The nonprofit group is committed to strengthening the local economy and enriching the community through education and charitable partnerships.

    A limited number of Dine Originals Columbus restaurant gift certificates are on sale now for 30% off! Buy them at doc.instagift.com/discount-sale.

    For more information, visit www.dineoriginalscolumbus.com.

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    Shelley Mann
    Shelley Mannhttp://www.umamicolumbus.com
    Shelley Mann is the executive director of Dine Originals Columbus, a nonprofit group that celebrates, supports and promotes independently owned restaurants in Central Ohio. She's also the founder of Umami Consulting, a company that provides marketing and public relations support for local, independent restaurants in Columbus.
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