Casa Barotti (Berkeley)
As a college town, Berkeley is known for many casual pizza spots. Queue the likes of Blondie’s and Artichokes, and one may get the wrong impression of pizza offerings within the city. However, Casa Barotti challenges these assumptions and serves up delicious, artisan pizza at unrivaled prices.
Located on College Ave directly across from Safeway, Casa Barotti is adorned with an elegant black wooden frame on the outside. Even though it is a relatively smaller restaurant, the inside opens up with an expansive selection of various pizzas in glass displays. As for decor, the interior evokes a sense of modern Italian design, with small tables and stools lining the walls for seating.
While sandwiches and various wines are also offered on the menu, the restaurant’s best items are undeniably the pizzas. After choosing which slices you want, the chefs heat them up in the ovens before bringing them out. Each slice is about $3-5 on average (prices may vary over time). For most people, one to two slices should be sufficient for a meal, making this an incredibly affordable option compared to more expensive pizza joints.
It should be noted that although it is affordable, the restaurant focuses on high quality ingredients and presentation. Many of their pizzas are prepared on freshly baked focaccia bread, giving it an airy and crunchy texture. Since the bread also uses less oil, the flavor is light and pleasant, making the customer feel less bloated compared to more casual, run-of-the-mill pizza shops. The quality of Casa Barotti easily punches above its price point, and I have had pizza elsewhere that was double the price but nowhere near the quality that is found here.
And while calling this pizza a “true gourmet option” may raise contention from some parties, I personally believe that Casa Barotti has some of the best pizza that you can find in Berkeley. From its quick convenience to its commitment to high quality Italian ingredients, diners are able to enjoy high quality pizza at desirable prices.
