Living near a college campus, it's not difficult to find a pizza joint. The portion of Boston Ave. that borders Tufts' campus alone has a handful — Pizza Days, Nick's House of Pizza and Helen's Roast Beef all serve up hot, greasy slices late into the night. But while cheeseburger pizza from Pizza Days may fill the void at two in the morning, it doesn't seem quite right to order when the sun is still up.
Enter Posto, a relatively new and marginally more elegant pizza joint located in Davis Square. The unassuming Italian restaurant with a wood-fired oven occupying the southern portion of Elm Street has already stolen the hearts of Bostonians, winning Best of Boston in the Gourmet Pizza category for 2011. However, it is still unclear whether it will stir the cravings of local college students, who may not be convinced to pay just under $20 for a personal pizza and a nicer setting.
Luckily, that's where brunch comes in. Ordering Sunday morning brunch at Posto gets you a pastry, a pizza, freshly squeezed juice and bottomless coffee for $10.95. It also means avoiding the crowds that Posto tends to amass during dinner hours. Convinced, I made a reservation to eat there with a few friends on a Sunday afternoon.
The first notable aspect of Posto is its incredibly friendly staff. Our server, after politely seating us, spent the next few minutes concernedly fretting over the slightly off-balance table. He immediately offered us another one, but we assured him that we could handle the inconspicuous wobble.
Despite the allure of the brunch menu, from which both of my friends ordered, I ended up falling immediately for the fig pizza ($17.95). Although this is a pricier option, I couldn't help but drool over the thought of gorgonzola crema, applewood bacon and caramelized onions. With toppings ranging from oysters to goat cheese, Posto seems to be a good place for those seeking a richer-tasting pie.
I coupled my order with a glass of their also somewhat pricey Sangria Blanca ($9.95), which consists of orange and pineapple, prosecco and a hint of lavender. Although my taste buds had a hard time detecting the nuance of lavender, the light, bubbly beverage felt perfect for a humid afternoon. I had also heard raves about their Gin Gin Mule, but that option seemed much better suited for dinner than brunch.
My friends ordered the ham and egg pizza and the bacon and egg pizza from the brunch menu. Their orders came with cinnamon buns, and although that much sugar in the first meal of the day had always seemed wrong to me, just one taste of a bun had me rethinking my ways. The pastry, which was warm when it reached us, tasted more buttery than saccharine and was surprisingly enjoyable.
Both of my friends' pizzas were relatively similar: They were topped with soft eggs that popped and oozed when cut, Vermont cheddar and home fries. Don't expect a heaping plate of potatoes, though — Posto's home fries consisted of no more than a few scanty pieces of potato.
My own pizza, however, had been healthily covered in each of the promised toppings and then hidden beneath a heap of fresh arugula. Although it was delicious, I found it difficult to finish more than half: Smothered in rich cheese, sweet caramelized onions, freshly diced figs and strips of savory bacon, the pizza was best in small portions. My only real qualm was its sogginess, the consequence of heaping moist toppings onto a thin crust.
My friends' orders were filled with heartier flavors and were easier to finish. The home fries were replaced by heaps of salty ham and bacon. The eggs were perfectly cooked, and although the ingredients themselves were not unusual, the fact that it was breakfast on a pizza made it feel adventurous.
Overall, our orders complemented each other's well and gave us a decent idea of Posto's wide range of flavors. The experience was enjoyable, the environment relaxing and the service accommodating. And although Posto is unlikely to substitute for those 2 a.m. cravings for greasy food, it is a welcome addition to the group of finer eateries in Davis Square, and a place Tufts students will surely enjoy when looking to change up their routines.
