Mentone

Culinary devotees flock to Aptos for its deluxe food spots, boutique coffee shops and supermarkets aplenty. Jumping on the bandwagon is this delicious operation with a single mission — to make the most exceptional pizzas in town. Soft hues, dark green-framed doors and a barn-like structure foster a communal sense. The menu is compact, with simple starters like stracciatella with focaccia or eggplant with Calabrian chili and mint. A few pastas and larger mains are available, but the pizzas hold the place of pride, with straightforwardly delicious options like the "Sardenaira" with tomato sauce, anchovies and olive tapanade. If great pizza is the stuff of dreams, you could skip the house-made pistachio ice cream, but why?