Charlie Hallowell, a longtime chef at Chez Panisse, brought a farm-to-table treatment to the pizza parlor he opened in 2005 in a 140-year-old hardware store. Four years later, he opened a second restaurant nearby with a similar rustic vibe, but a less ambitious menu. Some of the best pizzas in the Bay Area emerge from the brick ovens of both places. You'll also get a few additional treats along the way: fried chicken at Pizzaiolo, and fried rabbit at Boot & Shoe. The pastas and cocktails are also exceptional. Boot & Shoe Service, 3308 Grand Ave. (near Lake Park Avenue), Oakland; (510) 763-2668.

 
Specialties: Neapolitan-style pizza at both. Pizzaiolo: Buttermilk fried chicken; wild nettle and pecorino pizza. Boot & Shoe: Burrata toast; chicory Caesar salad.

Hours

Dinner 5:30-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday

Cuisines

• California
• Italian
• Pizza

Features

• Corkage ($15)
• Credit Cards: Accepted
• Disabled Access
• Full Bar
• High Chairs
• Private Dining Room (Semiprivate room for 20)
• Parking: Easy
• Parking: Free Lot (nearby)
• Parking: Street
• Seating (90 (plus 40 on patio))