Absolutely ‘z’ best

An American classic — evoking images of ooey, gooey delicious melt-in-your-mouth cheeses and warm, feel-good emotions — pizza is prime. But far too often, vegetarians with an affinity for these slices of Italian goodness have been limited to only one or two options: plain cheese or plain veggie. Those names say it all — plain, plain, plain.

But thanks to zpizza, vegetarians (and even vegans) have more choices. With a menu filled with customizable pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pastas and even gluten-free items, zpizza makes eating vegetarian exciting and enjoyable again.

Operations training manager Chris Llarenas explains that here, healthy fare is the primary focus. “We’re trying to change the way people look at pizza, taking what some have associated with junk food and showing them how it can be healthy, fresh and good for them,” he says.

Llarenas points to the “fresh, natural ingredients” infused within each bite of zpizza’s meals that make this eatery stand out.

Try something new this week, and sink your teeth into a slice of Berkeley Vegan ($13.95 small, $25.95 large, $28.95 extra large), an absolutely animal-free offering featuring house-made marinara sauce, vegan cheese, vegan sausage, roasted zucchini, Roma tomatoes, mushrooms, red onions and bell peppers.

For those partial to pesto on their pies, the new Roasted Tomato Pesto ($13.95 small, $25.95 large, $28.95 extra large) melds together organic pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella, charred sweet tomatoes and the Italian super-spice of fresh basil to bring diners the closest thing to wedged-divinity there is.

Going green also is a grand choice at zpizza, especially when it means grabbing a Greek Salad ($9.25) of mixed greens, feta, greek olives, red onions, Roma tomatoes, cucumber slices, oregano and balsamic vinaigrette.

Lunch specials are hot options here as well, including a mix and matching of side salads, half-sandwiches and slices. And for those who like to enjoy their meals at home, zpizza offers its Take N Bake option, letting you pick up an entire ready-to-bake pizza to go (large size only) so you can pop it in the oven exactly when you want.

zPizza

WARD VILLAGE
1200 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu
596-0066
Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

KAILUA
151 Hekili St., Kailua
230-8400
Sunday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.