Little Star Pizza Valencia

Gina Goff

Citysearch

The Scene
Like its older sibling in the Western Addition, this dimly lit parlor counters its sketchy block with casually sleek decor and an indie-rock jukebox soundtrack (think: the Arcade Fire, Interpol). The narrow dining room, punctuated by exposed brick walls, dark wooden tables and dropped lighting, hosts a crowd of hip 30-somethings. Servers are swift and helpful with recommendations but mostly leave diners to uninterrupted conversation.

The Food
Chicago-style deep-dish pies are the signature--and perhaps the best of their kind in San Francisco. The dessert-worthy crusts are crisped to a golden brown on the outside but reveal chewy layers within. Beneath the chunky sweet tomato sauce of the eponymous pie hides gooey goodness: a blend of ricotta, feta, mushrooms and spinach. While the toothsome deep-dish pies garner most of the praise, a slew of thin-crust options--like the olive oil-laced and mozzarella-dotted white pizza (sans sauce)--hit the spot for lighter appetites. Craveable caprece salads and garlic bread balance the offerings.