What a cute little place in somerville !!! Doesn't take reservations though, it's super small I think 6 tables or so and good bar seating window and wall high tops as well. Everyone was nice and friendly . The pizza was delicious !!! Great for 2 people so we ordered 2 pizzas for our party of 4. This place is super ideal for 4 peeps or less hanging out. Music is awesome !! Tribe called quest was on - good vibes ! The selection of beers was pretty extensive too ! Truly loved their dark industrial design , going back for sure !
(4)
Mollie W.
Best pizza in the Somerville area. Hands down. It knocks Posto out of the park, and I always enjoy coming here. The crust on the pizza is excellent, and you really get a lot of smoky flavor. It's one of the few places that I actually WANT to eat all the crust. I was watching 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate' on Food Network and low and behold, on the pizza episode the Sopressata pizza was featured! It's like pepperoni pizza with everything you want in a pepperoni, WITHOUT everything you regret about getting one. Super thin sliced meat, which is 'meaty' without being heavy and greasy. Ask for the 'Special pizza' which is Sopressata with banana peppers and eggs. It's not on the menu, but it's a perfect combination. We've had pretty much every pizza on the menu from Buffalo Chicken (good) to Clam (good but not my thing) to the mushroom with eggs (AMAZING). They also often have a featured special, and they are always great. My favorite was a corn pizza (BRING IT BACK) and the zucchini pizza we had was also excellent. I've never had the garlic knots but I've heard good things about them. Seasonal pickles are always good for a small snack before pizza, and they arrive almost instantly. I think the only downfalls of this place is that is is SO CRAZY TINY (and so are the bathrooms!). This can also be a positive because it makes it really unique, but we try to hit up here early in the evening, usually during the week, and we like to sit at the bar. Beer selection is great, and they have some limited hard stuff. Also worth noting is it can also get REALLY hot in here, but that's just the price you pay for getting to watch your pizza be made.
(4)
Hannah P.
I went here with my husband on a Saturday night with a reservation. It was packed! We were welcomed upon walking in by a guy at the front and other very friendly staff members. Seated quickly and brought menus. I loved the space instantly. It's a mix of an industrial feel with clean lines but not sterile (Kendall Square location). Food-We ordered a small pizza, half carnivore and half margarita (note, you can do halves as long as the base sauce is the same, woot!). The crust was crispy, crunchy and delicious. The carnivore was flavorful and full of fresh ingredients along with the margarita one. We also ordered the brussels sprout salad which was marvelous. Lemony, herbaceous and the hazelnuts add a nice dimension. Additionally we ordered the meatballs which were not what we expected but tasty all the same. Savory stewed beef in a rich slightly chunky tomato sauce. Wine by the glass list was lovely--- nice variety of countries and selection. For dessert we ordered the cast-iron chocolate chip cookie drizzled with butterscotch goodness and coffee's. I cannot recommend the cast-iron cookie more. It comes out piping-hot and is perfectly gooeyyyyy. Service-We had one of the nicest waitress's I think I have had in Boston. She was sweet, checked-in and was genuinely friendly and attentive. All the staff were great and welcoming and we are looking forward to going back!!
(4)
Opinionatedchef 1.
Rainy Boston Marathon Day. We arrived 5PM/no crowds, maybe 6 other diners.Our food was really terrific and I'm so glad we read about it . Broccolini salad was roasted stalks tossed w/ a creamy cheese and chili flakes (I added more.)It felt great to start off with tasty and substantial vegetables. My Love enjoyed his Shiitake mushroom pizza with fontina and egg (a thin layer covering the whole pizza) and my Sausage, banana peppers and onions pizza (I added) was bright flavors, none dominating the others,each component made in- house and beautifully balanced. Great char on the delicious crust (I just wish the crust edge were not huge like it is) of crunchy, airy, chewy.Top quality marinara (fresh and bright, no tomato paste or sugar) and cheese. While the pizza menu is fairly limited, they do offer a Daily Special. P.S. They will give you a steak knife on request. Extremely nice and efficient waitstaff and chefs. Music was loud but I also loved it. Easy to see that we'll be regulars .
(4)
Christopher W.
Phenomenal pizza. Just a little on the pricey side for what you get. Highly recommend getting the clam/bacon pizza.
(4)
Danielle F.
Having been a fan of the Area Four in Kendall Square, my visit to A4 in Union-near was long overdue. After my first visit, of course I am kicking myself for not getting there sooner. A word to the wise, this is not a place to come with a big group of people. Most of the seats are bar seats lining the periphery of the space. There are a few small tables, mostly tables for two, but it could feel like a tight fit. On my inaugural visit, I snagged two seats at the bar, near the oven. This made for a pleasant evening and spying the open kitchen and watching those delicious pies getting made. There were two TVs at the bar, showing movies (Home Alone with Spanish subtitles was available for my viewing pleasure). There's a decent-sized beer list of drafts, bottles, and cans. Additionally, there are some wine options as well. The beer list does seem to have some seasonal choices, so I would expect to see that change throughout the year. There's an emphasis on mircobrews, including several local brewers. The food menu has a few snacks to share as starters, while the mains are all pizzas (hence the name of this joint). We ordered the Housemade Winter Pickles. Thinking it would be pickles, we were a bit surprised when pickled mixed vegetables arrived. We were still completely happy with our choice, as it was a mix of celery, cauliflower, pickles, and carrots. Very tasty. For two people, we opted to share two pizzas. All pizzas are 12 inches, cooked in the wood stove for a nice char to the crust. Most pizzas have some type of meat component to it, so if you are looking for something without meat, you can find a few options as is or ask for a modification. We opted to get the Shitake Mushroom pizza and based on the bartenders suggestion, the Butternut Squash pizza. Both were fantastic, but the savory nature of the Shitake Mushroom pizza put that one on top! The shitake mushroom pizza had a mushroom sauce base and was topped with shitake mushrooms, fontina cheese, and eggs. The pizza had a wonderfully rich taste to it. The butternut squash pizza, which we ordered without the bacon, had butternut puree base, along with butternut squash, provolone cheese, pumpkin seeds, apple slices, and caramelized onions. I would order both again in a heartbeat. The service was great, the bartenders were friendly and knew the menu well. There is much more personality and atmosphere to this place as compared to the more sterile environment in Kendall. Prices were quite fair given the quality of the ingredients. I'll be back.
(4)
JD H.
The pizza here was amazing! We had two pizzas and shared the cesaer salad. I got the margarita pizza. The crust is really chewy and the edges were crispy. I thought it was funny that some people on here complained that their edges were burnt. (They do realize that the pizza is actually in a fire pit-right?) The place seemed a bit too hipster at first with the decorations and craft beers but the servers were super nice. New favorite pizza place (dare I say better than Gran Gusto or Posto???!?!)
(5)
Keith C.
OH MY GOD!!!! Hands down, the BEST pizza in the state! I have been going up and down the north end looking for the best pizza in town. Little did I know, it's actually located in Somerville, 10 minutes from my house! The margherita pizza is my absolute favorite! I eat an entire pizza by myself! The sauce is fresh and light, the dough is thin, but thick on the outside (yay!) and always just crispy enough! Some reviews say it's burnt... It's a BRICK OVEN! It's supposed to be a bit singed like it is in Italy! The basil is delicious, and the cheese is perfect - not too much, not too little, and not greasy at all! INCREDIBLE! I walked in randomly one day and now I can't stay away! In love with this pizza! I may have to marry one of the cooks so I can eat it forever!! ;)
(5)
Derek B.
Got some take out from there. Walked in, initial impression is an old time wood bar/wood everything. I like the feel. Will take a girl there for some minor quick eats. Ordered the Margarita pizza which I was expecting more from. My personal preference is the round slices of tomato on the bed of sauce. Not to say the pizza itself isn't amazing because it is. Parking is on street and nonexistent. The buffalo and gorgonzola was also splendid too. I would have liked the buffalo a bit more spicey, but I am nit picking. The gorgonzola was exquisite and gave just that right amount of alter to the buffalo chicken. I will return and I will try more pizza. The bartender for the short time I was there, was extremely kind even though I was just a pick up.
(3)
Sam R.
Had it twice now takeout and it is very good. It's brick oven pizza, so you definitely have to be in the mood for that. Looking forward to dining in there at some point.
(4)
Luke B.
One of my favorite pizza places in all of Greater Boston. Go for a chill dinner with friends for amazing pizza and good craft beer.
(5)
Guido S.
For the price of their food, you think they could afford AC or at least some ice cubes in their drinks. It was really hot in there today. That said, I ordered the Garlic knots with sauce, pickles, and margarita with green olives and chicken. The Garlic knots were ok, but the sauce was super acidic. The pickles turned out to be a variety of pickled vegetables in a pot, very sweet. It would have been nice if there was a description on the menu saying that this would not be spears. The Pizza dough was amazing, but it was burnt (all the bazil was black), and the olives were chopped up into little sodium bombs and the chicken was oily and dark meat. (again, would be nice if they described the chicken, thought it would be white meat). So... sadly a total fail.
(1)
John C.
This was my first experience eating here. We got the garlic knots and buffalo chicken pizza. The garlic knots would have been good if they weren't so salty and greesy. The dipping sauce that goes with them is delicious. The pizza that's was a whole different story. It was very sauggy and disgusting. The chicken was dark meat chicken that tasted like it came from a can I have never seen anyone put chicken like that on a pizza before. For the money I was appalled. Do not go here and waste your money!
(1)
Alex B.
I thought this place was cool....for the first few visits. It was a fun place to grab a beer and play old school video games on their big TVs. Then I had a bad experience there and I won't go back. One night I come in and order a high life and a shot of Jameson (off the short whiskey list). I'm poured the shot and given the high life. After I take the shot, the bartender informs me that "oops, that Jameson is actually 20 yr Jameson, not standard Jameson." Oh. I ask him, since I clearly ordered the standard Jameson could he please charge me for the standard or take it off my tab. Nope. They charged me for the $25 shot and the manager said to "make up" for it she'd give me 2 free high lifes (~3 bucks each) and some of their pizza for free, since they were going to throw away the old slices anyways (gee thanks). I understand about accidental orders and such, but the way it was handled was horrible. Besides the video games to play, their beer/liquor selection is very limited (partial liquor license), the pizza is gross, and the service sucks. Go down the street to Bulls McCabes.
(1)
Kevin B.
Ordered from here because it was rated so highly on yelp. Got the romaine salad and a pizza. The pizza was pretty small (they have one size) and it was really burnt. Bill for salad and pizza was 28.50 and was expecting way more. Went Back again... Burnt pizza is not my thing
(3)
Amy W.
Awesome pizza and great beer list! My boyfriend and I hiked here in a blizzard for his birthday dinner and it was so worth it.
(4)
Becka R.
Ordered take out here and was not super impressed with the pizza...Maybe it tastes better when eaten on the spot? Overall it was a disappointing expensive pizza. Did not think it was worth the money.
(2)
Gopal M.
Their Crust is one of the best I've had. I love their Clam & Bacon, mushroom and gorgonzola pizzas. Once a week(forgot which day), they have a special dessert. They get the dough from Union Square donuts and make dessert knots and serve it with cinnamon sugar and cream cheese. So yummy!!!
(5)
Jackie K.
Pizza: Corn and basil: tastes like corn chowder, could use more basil, my favorite of the night Banana peppers and onions on marinara pizza: could use more cheese, burnt and spicy peppers Pesto and walnut: Good Margarita: Good The mozarella in made in house and really good--very stringy which I like. Good beer selection. Service was a little slow and we were a big table so I guess its good they didn't try to rush us out but everyone else had their pizzas before us including people I saw walk in well after we ordered. Prices seem a little high even for gourmet pizza. Comparable places (small chains with gourmet pizza) have larger pizzas for only $1 or $2 more. Got crowded and loud on a Saturday night. Kid friendly. Old videogames play on a tv screen (that people are playing) which is awesome to watch (more than you think it would be) Parking is a PAIN!
(4)
Laura P.
Underwhelmed. Got take out there once. Needed to order 2 pizzas for 2 people because they are on the small side. It was ok. I have another local spot I prefer ordering from that is 1/3 less the cost. The restaurant and bar area looked cute, but I'm not sure I'll head back anytime soon.
(3)
Ben R.
Possibly the funnest restaurant I've ever been to, and happens to also be delicious. To give a sense of this place, there is technically a full bar, but the only hard alcohol seems to be Makers Mark. There are also two flat screens set up with old school video game emulators, meaning you can play Sega Genesis games with your dinner partner while waiting for food. That brings me to the next point, which is that the pizza is fantastic. They managed to make high end pizza without making it snooty (ie no duck or arugula toppings, but there is corn, mushrooms, and high end italian meats). Two of us had the mushroom, and the soppresata, two great beers I'd never heard of, and dessert for $50, with more than enough leftover pizza for lunch the next day. Will definitely be regulars here. Well done Area Four folks!
(5)
Zach I.
I've been a couple of times, and the pizza has been excellent. Pricey, but delicious. Great beers on tap, as well.
(5)
Jason R.
I wish I could offer them at least four stars, but in truth I probably can't even offer them the one that Yelp requires me to give them. So I will offer a simple statement to explain: Every time I order pizza from A4, I FIND HAIR UNDER MY PIZZA!!!!! I then call A4 to complain. When I ask for a manager, they hand it to some other person and say, as if we can't hear them "oooooh, they asked to speak to a maaaanger." The person who answered the phone (and claimed to be a manager) did nothing to correct them. That alone should give you reason to simply not order from them period. They don't respect you as a customer! When I spoke to the manager, I was referred to as "dude" and "buddy" by a guy who obviously didn't know which end of his body to defecate from (since Yelp won't let me use the accurate verb). Hair in my pizza is one thing. Their absolute inability to speak to a customer as if he/she is person worthy of respect and civility is another. I'm not "dude." Until I say otherwise, I am "sir." If you have a problem with that, please refer to the the Board of Health complaint to be filed in the morning.
(1)
Maria R.
The pizza is great, but portions are too small and it's pretty pricey. The service is great though, and they have a good beer selection. There's usually a wait.
(4)
Amy L.
We ate there this evening and the pizza is great (we've gotten take out before but had never dined in). The hostess was very helpful and friendly. One negative, though, is that we ordered two beers at the bar, paid the bartender and then paid for them again on our dinner bill. We didn't realize until after we got home, and obviously I don't think it was intentional, but make sure you check your bill before you pay!
(3)
Ryan P.
Bit of a wait and gets kind of crowded, but the service is very friendly, the pizza is small but filling and delicious, and the salads fresh. I like the changing menu, and their root beer- random, but incredible. Go for it. Get the pickled veggies to munch on while you wait- you won't be disappointed. Just remember that it gets busy in there so be prepared for a short wait.
(4)
Jason M.
Huh. Maybe we went on an off night. Maybe reading all of these reviews set our expectations too high. Maybe we weren't in the right mood for it... But no matter, our expectations weren't quite met. It's small. It's cramped. There were no video games on any tv. There were no delightful viewings of our favorite 80s shows. My buffalo chicken pizza wasn't as fabulous as I was led to believe. Yeah, the gorgonzola bacon goo was pretty tasty, but the texture is incredibly off putting. Eric's clam pizza was underwhelming. When Eric doesn't eat all of a shellfish dish, you know there's something up. Maybe we'll give it another try, but I'm not convinced its as good as the hype leads one to believe.
(2)
Chaloe T.
I just wouldn't.
(2)
Duchess C.
Yum! I always get really excited when my other half suggests A4 :-) The Jerusalem Eggs (shakshuka) are really good, and the salads and pickles that we have tried are fabulous as well. For two people, I'd say your best bet is to grab an app or two and then spilt a pizza, that way you get a sampling of the different flavors they offer. They staff is always really entertaining and friendly, which is great, too. As the place gets more popular, seating might become an issue, so for now, no big deal. Only other complaint is that sometimes the pizzas are a little too charred, but as they get a better and better feel of the hotspots in their oven, I'm sure this will work itself out- and definitely not something that would keep me from returning... or eating!
(4)
Jessica I.
LOVED A4. We stopped in on President's Day (after grocery shopping, ironically) because no one wants to cook a meal for themselves after an entire day off. There aren't many tables, but bar seating is plentiful and the staff helpfully pointed out that the seats at the end of the bar would be warmest since they were closest to the oven. They were obviously right, but another upside to this was being able to watch all the delicious, delicious pizzas get made. That oven works wonders. We got the margherita and the fennel sausage & pickled banana pepper. They were both outstanding and I can't wait to come back to try the buffalo chicken and the carnivore. The crust has that great crispy-outside-chewy-inside thing going on. Great beer selection and super friendly staff. It's a tad on the pricey side (upwards of $40 for two beers and two 12" pizzas) or else we'd surely become weekly fixtures.
(5)
Eric C.
After moving to Somerville from CT this was the first spot I went to and the mashed potato bacon pizza was pretty good. Cool little place with great service.
(4)
Emily B.
A surprise and delight. A great neighborhood place with deceptively good pizza and salads.
(5)
Jessie K.
I've only been here once, but I'm sort of in love. I went here with my boyfriend and another couple after climbing down the street at BKBS and boy am I glad that we did. A couple of things about location - plenty of on street parking. And maybe I'm too critical but I don't consider this location Union Square. It's not far from there, but I guess that's neither here nor there. Although it was pretty crowded for the later dinner time, it definitely mellowed out by the time we left at 10:30. I can imagine this is a pretty chill place to grab some drinks and food any night of the week. It's a pretty tiny place - I can't imagine it sits more than 30 people total. The style is just the right amount of weird and eclectic. Upon arriving the hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes so we went to grab a drink at the bar. The first awesome part of the night was that the bartender asked if we were ok eating at the bar, and if so, she'd be happy to ask the couple to scoot down so we could sit together. Bravo for good service because we. We're. Hungry. We ordered the garlic knots with a side of sauce and they were great. Crispy without being overdone and flavorful without tasting like I'd chewed on a straight up garlic clove. Next up was the prosciutto - it came with apples, cheese and some greens. So simple and so good. The portion wasn't huge, but it did the trick as all four of us each got to sample. For pizzas my boyfriend ordered the clam pizza (he said it was ok but I think he has ridiculously high standards when it comes to clam pizza, for some reason. We also had a margherita pie and the butternut squash pizza. I thought that both tasted great. For those who are saying that the pizzas came out burnt... Duh? They're wood fired and that's how they're supposed to look (if they're done right). We only had beer and cider but drinks were reasonably priced for the area. It's not exactly a cheap pizza joint, but I think the extra few bucks are worth it for A4.
(4)
Julie G.
The best pizza I've had in Boston. Their buffalo chicken and sausage with banana peppers were both out of this world. Even their margherita (which I saw someone order and have yet to try, but will next time!) is done right with fresh mozzarella, whole basil, homemade tomato sauce... I love how authentic yet quirky their pizzas are. It's not cheap, but so worth it.
(5)
Xavier B.
Wouldn't let me drink because bartender doesn't understand how ids work in Arizona. -_- Legitimately 21 and wouldn't serve me beer. Told her I would call the cops to confirm and she said she still wouldn't feel comfortable serving me. Thanks for ruining what could have been a good night for me and my siblings. Was so excited to find such a cool place so close and it was kinda crushing to have been rejected. Ended up getting a pizza to go. It was decent.
(2)
Kathleen K.
Truly divine pizza, watch the dough get tossed and dressed from the bar, into the fiery oven-- that fresh. Thin crust, crisp, delicious. My standard fav is the fennel sausage and banana peppers with sauce, mozzarella, but the clam and bacon is awful good too, and had the special roasted asparagus with bacon the other night. Tried the sweet pea hummus with warm thin crusty flatbread as an appetizer, I'll do that again. Nice selection of brews including handcrafted Maine Root Beer (non-alc.) that is outstanding. Small joint, gets crowded, so we go early -- but the crowd is mellow and the staff are great. Go.
(5)
Dana B.
A group of ladyfriends and I ventured out to A4 on Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. I had called earlier in the week to make a reservation since there were about 6 of us, but they didn't take reservations, because this place is tiny - which is so unfortunate because it's an awesome place and I wish there were more places to sit! We got there around 7:30 and waited for the table that seated 6 to open up so we could all sit together. Even though we were totally in the way of the wait staff, no one ever acted like we were in the way and were totally smiley when we were apologetic for occasionally bumping into them. We had two servers, William, and then another lady whose name we never got, but was as equally fabulous as William. They served us drinks ($3.50 High Lifes) while we waited and took our order, which they didn't put in until our group was about to be seated. Awesome forethought on their part. The pizzas were delicious. Each pizza was exceptional. We ordered 5 different ones, but the stand outs to me were the Corn/Basil and the Clam/Bacon. They all really were fantastic though - AND cut into 6 pieces (which I am just going to assume they did for us.) After pizzas, the whole bar sang "Happy Birthday" and William brought her a Hoodies which was awesome. Super big thanks to A4 for being so accommodating for our group and making my friends birthday awesome! I can't wait to go back there (which a much smaller group) or just sit at the bar, drink High Life's, and play video games all night.
(5)
Caty M.
Baba ganoush was unbelievable! Good variety of beers on tap. Funky decor and a cool atmosphere. Good service.
(4)
Lala I.
mushroom pizza, get it!
(4)
Brad F.
Finally got to A4 Pizza Bar tonight. I expected no less. The pizza is amazing. The salads are tasty. The beer and wine selection is great, with a side of Maker's Mark. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly. Staff was super nice (our server, William, was exceptional). Oh, did I mention Castlevania was on the big-screen? Will be here regularly. Thanks, A4, for adding one more awesome place to hang in Somerville.
(5)
Rachel R.
One of my regular spots. Relaxing bar scene, great food, attentive staff. Small space & small drink selection but they do what they do well--pizza! (Try the garlic knots, too!)
(5)
Ali D.
I go with friends, and my 18 month about once a month. It's so nice to go to a "hip" place and have the staff be so sweet. Also, the pizza is great and the beer selection is also very good. So if you want a laid back, hip pizza place with a nice staff go in!
(5)
sarah i.
this has to be one of the BEST pizzas in the Boston area. Quality ingredients, awesome flavors, the mushroom fontina with gremolata is unreal, and the sausage banana pepper was great. I did order it delivery though and it was pretty damn expensive - it was $16 for a small size pizza :/... the quality was good though, I'll go visit the actual brick & mortar for a better experience
(4)
KittyCat G.
My Neapolitan husband says it's the best pizza in Boston. I love the delivery - fun, fresh, and fast. This place is a winner!
(5)
Meredith D.
SO GOOD. The pizza is amazing - you can bet the manfriend and I will be regulars here until we've tried all they offer. It's a tiny spot where The Bearded Pig used to be, next to the Dosa restaurant. They've done great things with a small space - a surprising amount of tables and bar seats without feeling too crowded, VIDEO GAMES, a decent bar, and an overall beautiful, modern design. Also, video games. The manfriend is planning on dominating (and, it is implied, totally "wowing" the crowd with his mad Super Nintendo skillz) the next time his little brother visits. Sure, honey. Sure. Great service. Very friendly. It gets pretty packed, so try to get there before the dinner rush or be prepared to wait (it does have a surprisingly fast turn over.) A limited but good beer selection (especially considering the lack of space.) A looooooooot of Maker's Mark. It looks like that's all they offer... a whole shelf of Maker's Mark... surely not, though - right? Eh... [EDIT: I asked about the Maker's Mark the last time I went. They said since they just opened and didn't know how popular the bar would be, they figured Maker's Mark was a good, versatile liquor to start with. Apparently they make some great drinks with it, but I'm a beer girl. :) ] Anyway, a little pricey but definitely worth it. I mean, it is FANCY pizza, you know? The pizza is rather small but filling - I'd suggest a couple either split an app and a pizza, or just get two pizzas and know you'll have some leftovers. Don't let this shut down like the Bearded Pig... although that was due to smoke complaints from the neighborsANYWAY just go. (Also, they're kid friendly! I've seen plenty of little ones with their parents here and the servers were very accommodating. It's probably too crowded for your kiddo during the dinner rush, but if you're a parent you probably already assumed that. :)
(5)
Ashby O.
The best pizza. Crust is perfect. Fresh. Margherita pizza & fennel sausage and banana pepper pizza are amaaazing! Only two ive managed to try because i keep going back... Bartenders are friendly and theres a great beer selection. Half prized pizza after 11 is a perk. Just absolutely nothing bad to say.
(5)
Torrie D.
After anticipating its arrival for quite some time, we finally tried a4 pizza bar tonight and were far from let down. We tried the prosciutto and nectarine salad which was absolutely delicious, as well as both the buffalo chicken pizza and the clam and bacon pizza. Holy crap. Delicious. Desert was a Hoodsie cup WITH the wooden spoon. Sup nostalgia? Wine, beer, and Makers Mark at the bar, Castlevania playing on the flat screens. Last, our server, William was the best. Super nice and attentive. Good job! So glad it's just down the street!
(5)
Chris P.
So, I have been here three times and these are my thoughts... Positives: Interior design is enjoyable, half-off pizzas late at night, decent beer, usually pretty nice staff, fresh indigents Negatives: Crazy overpriced. I feel like Saccos Flat Bread Pizza and Posto's pizza are a better deal and taste great too. Also, the pizza crust is burnt. Of the three times, once the crust was extremely burnt and inedible. If I was a food server, I would have been embarrassed to bring that pizza to the table. But perhaps they don't want people eating the pizza crust.
(3)
Jeff M.
Same great pizza as the original outpost but with more hipster.
(4)
Nicole J.
AMAZING!! This is some of the best pizza around. Yes, its small, but totally worth the wait. My boyfriend and I started with the homemade pickles and garlic knots - delicious! Then split the Soppressata pizza - the thinly sliced pieces when cooked get a caramelized crust - yum! Great beer selection and knowledgeable staff. Service was wonderful. We will be returning!
(5)
Kathleen F.
A nice cozy place we can walk to with a super nice staff, great beer selection, nice wines and fun cocktails! Their pizzas are funky, savory and sinfully delicious and the appetizers are along the same great lines. We are so happy to have this near us and will be back again and again. Also loving the price point, good and interesting food that is not overly expensive!
(5)
D Z.
Tasty, inventive pizza. Loved the shitake pizza. Good choice of beers. Love the funky design touches.
(4)
t j.
Amazing pizza and friendly atmosphere. Definitely the type of place you can get good late night food. Half price pizza is an amazing deal.
(5)
Sean R.
We got some pizza for take out.. Pretty expensive considering the size of the pies. It was $60 for 4 people. And it's not the best pizza in Somerville by a long shot. We had a clam pizza which just wasn't that good. A carnivore pizza that was good and a couple others that were just meh. People seem to like the hipster amibaince there.. so if that's your thing maybe it's better to eat in.
(2)
Gretchen M.
Really fun, cosy neighborhood spot near Union Square. The pizza crust is a labor of love and it is amazing, though some the topping combos are definitely better than others. The clam and bacon is one of my favorites, and the simple margarita is also great. Service is very good, friendly and laid-back. Total gem!
(5)
matt m.
The pizzas were burnt. I guess this is part of the style or charm, but there is no way anyone would intend for them to be this burnt. I've seen the pictures with the blackened edges - ok. I can live with that, because the ingredients and bread are delicious. But my pizza was way too burnt. It tasted like burnt bread about 50% of the pizza. They also hide the famous Nintendo. Which is why I went in the first place. But, when the pizza wasn't too burnt to taste, it was great. And a unique and affordable beer collection. I will try again but ask the server to ask the cooks to go easy.
(3)
Marissa V.
Soggy pizza. I had this at a friend's house and it was soggy. I hoped that it was just because it was delivery so I (unfortunately) gave it another try at the restaurant. Your only hope of eating this pizza is to fold it in half otherwise it's so limp you have to kink your neck just to eat it. Don't go here. If you find yourself here just go next door to Dosa and Curry. That is some good food.
(1)
Christina M.
An atmosphere welcoming to singles & families alike with helpful staff; rough, unfinished decor; and nice beer list. A pizza & salad are perfect for splitting, and with two drinks totaled just $40.
(5)
Liliana C.
Mmmm the pizza we had here was pretty legit. We got their special and it really was great. Loved the eggs on top but the banana peppers were a little too spicy for our taste. Exciting new addition to Union Sq.
(4)
Melissa W.
Very cool new place in my hood! I had the white anchovy pizza, which was heavy on the anchovies, but delicious. I also love that they have an eclectic selection of beer and wine, and then a rotating bourbon selection. We sat at the bar, and the bartender (and owner, I believe) was very helpful and attentive. I loved the retro Nintendo games that people could play when they are waiting for take-out... there was Frogger and Zelda! I guess its their version of an arcade game in a pizza joint. The coolest part though might be the wood fired oven in the open kitchen.... it makes a tasty pizza.
(5)
J C.
Great pizza and the bar and decor make this a great weekday stop. We had the sausage and banana pepper pizza which recommended by the bartender. Great beer list but they could use a better wine selection by the glass. Also, be sure you like pizza as there aren't many other menu options. Overall a very solid dining experience.
(4)
Jason C.
Phantom has not steered me wrong, until now. I would only give this one star if not for the great beer selection, both on tap and in cans. Great stuff. If you go here, stick to the apps, although even they are overpriced. We had two pizzas and both were just awful. Both were undercooked, soggy in the middle and really were nowhere near the descriptions on the menu. How this is possible in a brick oven I am not sure. And my buffalo chicken pizza had two tiny pieces of chicken and absolutely no buffalo flavor. I had to ask for the hot sauce, and even then it was tough to get down as the blue cheese "sauce" just overpowers everything, yuck. And the mushroom pizza was even worse, soggy, egg just plopped in the middle and no flavor at all. I hope this was just an off night, or maybe we were there too early. But the pizza we had was pretty much inedible. It pains me to write this, but, Phantom, this was not a hidden jewel for my visit.
(2)
Andrea G.
Loved it! Good beer, interesting apps and great pizza. We got the olives and this cool baked egg dish for an app. Then a sausage and fennel pizza. All really awesome! The decor is really cool, too. We'll definitely be back. I'm glad they came to the neighborhood!
(4)
Carl D.
Cool hip little joint. Really good pizza. Clam pie was good and cauliflower pie was surprisingly tasty.
(4)
stephanie b.
Nice friendly staff and excellent food. Their salads and dressings are so fresh and creative. Pizza is great. Cute, clean place.
(5)
Bird B.
good atmosphere but my pizza was burnt and when I looked around I noticed everyone else's was too.
(3)
Matt G.
my neighborhood is becoming the hippest place on Earth! came here on their second official day----had the Greek salad and the anchovy pizza----both sublime....good thing the new gym just opened down the block----i am gonna need to work off the 3 pizzas a week i plan to eat here!
(5)
Matt F.
My new favorite pizza in Boston and just overall place to hang in union. Excellent food and service. So good.
(5)
Mary J.
Not impressed. Called in an order to be picked up at game time. Place is cute and busy waitstaff very obliging but pizza was not great. The carnivore had gristle and the sausage was overly spiced. I will try one more time but for the price of $15 for a small pizza it will need to be better than Domino's for me to be a regular.
(2)
Ellen A.
Really like the atmosphere here and highly recommend the buffalo chicken pizza, it was excellent!
(5)
vinay b.
pizzas are pretty excellent. greek salad is baby sized and way too expensive.
(4)
Alex M.
I love the glasses they serve beer in that are shaped like beer mugs. I should ask where they get them so I can buy some. They have a decent list of beers on tap. I wish they had a good cider on tap. You can't win them all. They do have Downeast in a can. The pizza here is really spot on. The crust is well-made and the toppings are high quality and don't overwhelm. This is thin crust at its finest. My only gripes are that the service here can be kind of terrible. Also, the folks who bring their young children in didn't seem to get the memo that it's kind of a tiny, intimate spot. It's more first date material. Less Chuck-E-Cheeze. Which isn't to say one shouldn't bring the brood out with them. I would just advice them to grab a bite to eat at another spot. El Potro is nearby and seems more family-friendly.
(4)
Ryan B.
My partner and I ate here recently and ordered the Fennel sausage and pickled banana pepper pizza. I thought it was pretty good! The pickled banana peppers lent a nice sour heat to every bite and the fennel sausage gave it a each bite a nice savory component. Overall I liked the pizza; the sauce was delicious and well seasoned with pecorino and parsley, and A4's mozzarella had the nice gooey consistency I look for. However, the crust was a little flimsy for my liking and the toppings seemed most concentrated in the center of the pie leaving the outer crust areas with a relative dearth of flavor. Overall, I would eat here again--especially late at night. After 11PM their pies are half price!
(3)
Lizzie P.
All I need in this life of sin are Garlic Knots & the Sopressata Pizza from A4.
(5)
Gene L.
Some of the best pizza I've ever had! The dough is to die for- soft, pillowy, and light, with the perfect amount of char and crunch. I would come back here just for the pizza dough- that's how great this place is! We ordered the mushroom pizza, and the mushroom flavor was so evident throughout- definitely get this if you like mushrooms! There's a mushroom paste spread over the pizza, then actual mushrooms on top, then a cracked egg on top of that, which really helped the pizza not dry out. Service was great, and there was no wait necessary on a wednesday night. Would definitely come here again!
(5)
Cinthia K.
Awesome pizza. Came here a couple of Saturday nights ago with some friends. The place was a bit crowded, so we had to wait a bit before we could get seated, but the wait was very much worth it because the food was awesome. To start, we got a lot of their starters, including their garlic knots, their olives and almonds, and their cauliflower dish. The garlic knots were amazing. One of my friends and I then got a margherita and a shiitake mushroom, and we split our pies in half so that we could sample both at the same time. Nice chewy crust and I liked the charred flavor that the wood burning oven imparted on the pie. Large selection of beers to choose from as well. At the end of the meal, we had some of their cinnamon dough bite..things... which came with a sweet cream cheese dipping sauce. Those were fantastic as well. We all left very fully and content with our meals.
(4)
Rachael T.
A4 is a great example of how to maximize a small space and a tiny kitchen. This is no cheesecake factory menu, they offer "not pizza" and "pizza" - no messing around. We sat near the open kitchen and I marveled at the efficiency - two guys deftly stretch dough and dress the pies, one guy pulls the pies out of the wood-fired oven, finishes and slices. Plus he handles the "not pizza." Service is friendly and equally efficient. A4 uses a sourdough crust that is the lightest I have ever tasted; bubbly and charred outside, soft and moist inside. The crust is so outstanding it almost doesn't matter which toppings you choose. But there are some great options and most of the pies feature house made mozzarella. I had my eye on the clam and bacon, but my dining companion couldn't abide by seafood on pizza. So we had fennel sausage and banana peppers. Next time I may test my "almost doesn't matter which toppings you choose" theory and insist on the clam pie!
(5)
G G.
Not my favorite pizza - it's fresh and tasty but I don't like sourdough crust. Nice outdoor seating area, though
(3)
Alex K.
This pizza is amazing. 1. Dough. They do not fuck around with the dough. This stuff would be the most fluffy, chewy, insanely addictive bread if there were nothing on it. The char they put on it is just right, but I think that's just because the bread is so good it's taking on the char so well. They cook is so perfectly in the oven. It has a solid crusty outside, with a pillow of deliciousness at the edge and it's pulled even throughout the bottom for a perfect bed for sauce and toppings. 2. Toppings. I had the White Anchovie pizza which came with basil, olives, capers, and tomato sauce. All of the ingredients were super fresh and all of the flavors came out. I think the way they cook it is amazing. And regular anchovies are the bomb on pizza, but white anchovies are blow your mind (I'm drooling as I'm writing this, and I just devoured the entire pie by myself, not recommended, but may be necessary). The white anchovies are just the start, because if you love olives and capers well just bring all of your paychecks to A4 to deposit into their pizza bank because I wish I could eat this everyday! Do not hesitate, just eat here. There's no hype, just damn good pizza. Wish I found you guys sooner!
(5)
Cathy Z.
They have some really great toppings, and the sourdough crust is a cool idea, but... this crust crosses the line from "blistered" to burnt, and I just cannot get over it. I'm willing to stuff some pretty questionable things in my face in the name of pizza, but the plentiful charred parts on the crusts of both pizzas we ordered were black and acrid and totally overwhelmed everything else. I know, I know, wood fired oven and all that, but I just feel like if something tastes, like, aggressively bad, I shouldn't eat it! That being said, if you're one of those people who purposely burns their toast, get the carnivore, or the white anchovy if you're adventurous!
(3)
Andrew N.
Really disappointed in this place. Came with my partner on a weekday night. Each of us ordered a margarita pizza, which was honestly the worst pizza I've had in years---crust was tasteless, chewy, and burnt, and the sauce was too acidic and bland. The waitress we had was also quite rude. Maybe we came on an off night but we would not come again.
(1)
Jared S.
Just order the sausage and banana pepper pizza, have a beer and consider the night a great success. They consistently have the best pizza in the city by far, and it's all because of the crust. It's pizza perfection.
(5)
Drew K.
We had a superb meal at A4. Our server, Krystle, recommended a wonderful roasted cauliflower and grape appetizer. We had the Carnivore pizza which was perfectly baked in a brick oven. It was the best pizza I've had in a long time, and the service was outstanding!
(5)
Matt G.
Came here tonight on a whim with some friends. We arrived at 6:30 on a Saturday-- it was busy as expected, however 5 minutes later and we would have been in a 45 minute wait. They do NOT take reservations. Full stop. There are tables for 4, but only 3 of them. The rest of the seats are bar-style. (Long tables against the window, wall, and bar). They can only seat maybe 40 people total. The other location is in Kendall and is supposed to have more seating. The pizza was fresh, fired right there, and tasty! Flame char on the crust, and innovative! They have a mushroom and fried egg pizza, a "carnivore " pizza (exactly what you think it is), a buffalo pizza get comes with this INTENSE blue cheese dipping sauce, and several more. Each pizza is "individual" which is a big meal for one. I suggest splitting with who you are going with and take it to go. The 4 of us, SHOULD have shared 3 pizzas ; but instead we took all the leftovers home. (Oh well!!) It should be noted that you need to be in the mood for this place.. this isnt a plafce you spend the whole night. The experience is pretty quick. Get in, have a drink, order a few pies, head elsewhere. That said, its great for what it is, its a casual pizza place... but not a Somerville House of Pizza. All in, we had a great time.
(4)
Kevin H.
Awesome pizza...Awesome beer...Just awesome...Just go there and be happy...eat pizza Oh n and great tunes :-)
(5)
Lisa R.
A4 pizza is A-OK. Surprisingly got a seat immediately at the bar at around 7:30PM on a Friday night. The service and food was quick and friendly. It was fun to watch the cooks prepare all the pizza and food in the open kitchen. Pizza was good, but not anything to write home about. They have interesting toppings and I would come back to try the others (I had the sausage and pickled banana peppers). Overall, I enjoyed the meal, but I would probably try some other pizza places in Boston area before I return.
(3)
Claire H.
A4 pizza is very Somerville. And I mean this as a compliment! The pizza here is artisanal and truly delicious. There's usually only two vegetarian options for pizzas (besides build your own) but they're all fantastic!! The mushroom pizza tastes more "flatbread" than classic "pizza" in the best way. I've been here at least five times. Twice the pizza has come a little charred, but was still really good. My recommendation is to sit in the back or at the bar so you can see them making the pizza! The warm beet salad is also super tasty! I really appreciate when places make accommodations for the cold. A4 protects all of the seats from the cold with a double curtain. They also wrote a witty message about the indoors and outdoors getting in a fight and needing their space, asking customers to please respect it and keep the curtains closed at all times. You could sit in the tables right by the curtains and not be frozen!
(4)
Marissa T.
A4. As good as it gets around here- really. No fuss, great pizza, and good beer. The pizza dough is charred and perfect and the toppings are incredible. Truthfully, I come here for the draught beer selection and no matter what mood I'm in, there's something for me. Whiskey selection also makes me happy, and the staff is perfect and eclectic. Every time I'm here I have fun.
(5)
Jason M.
I ordered a fennel sausage and pickled banana pepper pie for takeout. The sausage was tasty, but I couldn't taste the fennel. The peppers were spicy but I couldn't taste the sweet. The mozzarella was mild but I couldn't pick it out. The crust was nice and soft with pleasant pull. But, I couldn't taste it much at all. Lots of promise, but to me, everything seemed to be overwhelmed by the char. I will try it again. Hopefully, the second time will be better.
(2)
Dan L.
Welcome to the neighborhood A4. Great spot, super friendly service, great beers on tap (six-point galaxy was awesome), excellent pizza - and great vibe. The place is pretty small, so I'd imagine it will get pretty crowded as word spreads (even more). Because it's not in a square, I would hope it remains a great neighborhood spot. I am giving a small one-star ding because the heirloom salad that was $12 had very little heirloom and was mostly watermelon, I expected a bit more for the price - it was however, tasty! I will be back for sure!
(4)
Scott W.
So good. A perfect addition to the neighborhood. Delicious pizzas, tasty beers, and whiskey. Great for couples, tougher seating for more than 4. Nintendo on the big screens. Doesn't get much better than this.
(5)
Michael C.
Came in on a Monday night to avoid the crowd, it worked. The small establishment that seats about 30 is decorated with 80's memorabilia. In fact the whole place feels like that was the last time there was a full remodel here... Don't forget to close the door behind you it won't shut otherwise. The rest of the design and style of this place works, I really enjoyed the pic of Chewbaca drinking Fernet. The giant wooden stove tucked in the corner is also a sight to see. The staff was great, super friendly and quick to make recommendations. They have an eclectic beer and wine menu that also fits the vibe of this place. A4 is also a great value as well. Mozzarella Crostini - Highlight of the meal, it would've been better as a few small pieces instead of one mega piece. The combination of toasted bread, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and (drum roll) fresh pesto sauce set some high expectations for the rest of the meal. Buffalo Chicken Pizza - While I really liked the blue cheese and bacon dipping sauce I thought the pizza was just ok. I don't think it had enough chicken and the flavors of the pizza itself were pretty tame. I did like the crust. Again, that dipping sauce... So good but it would be a good dipping sauce on its own.
(3)
Nicole W.
A4 Pizza was delicious! Great pizza! The margherita was a little sloppy, but sometimes that's just what you want! We came in early so it's hard to judge the atmosphere when it gets busier. Cute little place in union square. Definitely recommend it!
(4)
Dan G.
Pizza was top knotch - VERY fresh ingredients, delicious light, bubbly crust. I had the mushroom with the cracked egg (which wasn't my favorite personally, but I had to try it), as well as the meatlovers pizza which was one of the best pizzas I've had in a while. To top it off, I paired the meal with a local draught, "Fire In The Ham", by Jack's Abby Brewing out of Framingham, MA. The smokey campfire flavors left a faint bacon aftertaste, which paired perfectly for a meat fiend eating a meat lovers pie! I'll be back for sure!
(5)
Brady B.
This is the best pizza that I've had in a long time. My BF and I shared the Wellfleet cheerrystone and bacon pizza, as well as the Carnivore...seriously delicious. The place is small and cozy, kid friendly (two in our party had lil' ones w/ them) and there is a very cute Waiter there to boot. Even though Union Sq is a long ride from Dot, I MUST return to try more of A4's delectable pizzas! Perfect crust, inspired flavors, super fresh tasting. Oh, did I mention the cute Waiter?
(5)
Sonia D.
I had dinner here for the first time on their 1 year anniversary and I wasn't as impressed as I am with the original Area Four. The location and set up is cool, trendy and casual but the pizza wasn't amazing. Our server were great and friendly but I just wish the pizza was better. I will give it another try and maybe check out their trivia nights.
(3)
Leslie M.
Awesome pizza, out-of-this-world garlic knots, great bartenders, funky vibe. Very unassuming entrance so keep an eye out for the sign!
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Hipster Noise Level : Loud Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : No Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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Andrea M.
What a cute little place in somerville !!! Doesn't take reservations though, it's super small I think 6 tables or so and good bar seating window and wall high tops as well. Everyone was nice and friendly . The pizza was delicious !!! Great for 2 people so we ordered 2 pizzas for our party of 4. This place is super ideal for 4 peeps or less hanging out. Music is awesome !! Tribe called quest was on - good vibes ! The selection of beers was pretty extensive too ! Truly loved their dark industrial design , going back for sure !
(4)Mollie W.
Best pizza in the Somerville area. Hands down. It knocks Posto out of the park, and I always enjoy coming here. The crust on the pizza is excellent, and you really get a lot of smoky flavor. It's one of the few places that I actually WANT to eat all the crust. I was watching 'The Best Thing I Ever Ate' on Food Network and low and behold, on the pizza episode the Sopressata pizza was featured! It's like pepperoni pizza with everything you want in a pepperoni, WITHOUT everything you regret about getting one. Super thin sliced meat, which is 'meaty' without being heavy and greasy. Ask for the 'Special pizza' which is Sopressata with banana peppers and eggs. It's not on the menu, but it's a perfect combination. We've had pretty much every pizza on the menu from Buffalo Chicken (good) to Clam (good but not my thing) to the mushroom with eggs (AMAZING). They also often have a featured special, and they are always great. My favorite was a corn pizza (BRING IT BACK) and the zucchini pizza we had was also excellent. I've never had the garlic knots but I've heard good things about them. Seasonal pickles are always good for a small snack before pizza, and they arrive almost instantly. I think the only downfalls of this place is that is is SO CRAZY TINY (and so are the bathrooms!). This can also be a positive because it makes it really unique, but we try to hit up here early in the evening, usually during the week, and we like to sit at the bar. Beer selection is great, and they have some limited hard stuff. Also worth noting is it can also get REALLY hot in here, but that's just the price you pay for getting to watch your pizza be made.
(4)Hannah P.
I went here with my husband on a Saturday night with a reservation. It was packed! We were welcomed upon walking in by a guy at the front and other very friendly staff members. Seated quickly and brought menus. I loved the space instantly. It's a mix of an industrial feel with clean lines but not sterile (Kendall Square location). Food-We ordered a small pizza, half carnivore and half margarita (note, you can do halves as long as the base sauce is the same, woot!). The crust was crispy, crunchy and delicious. The carnivore was flavorful and full of fresh ingredients along with the margarita one. We also ordered the brussels sprout salad which was marvelous. Lemony, herbaceous and the hazelnuts add a nice dimension. Additionally we ordered the meatballs which were not what we expected but tasty all the same. Savory stewed beef in a rich slightly chunky tomato sauce. Wine by the glass list was lovely--- nice variety of countries and selection. For dessert we ordered the cast-iron chocolate chip cookie drizzled with butterscotch goodness and coffee's. I cannot recommend the cast-iron cookie more. It comes out piping-hot and is perfectly gooeyyyyy. Service-We had one of the nicest waitress's I think I have had in Boston. She was sweet, checked-in and was genuinely friendly and attentive. All the staff were great and welcoming and we are looking forward to going back!!
(4)Opinionatedchef 1.
Rainy Boston Marathon Day. We arrived 5PM/no crowds, maybe 6 other diners.Our food was really terrific and I'm so glad we read about it . Broccolini salad was roasted stalks tossed w/ a creamy cheese and chili flakes (I added more.)It felt great to start off with tasty and substantial vegetables. My Love enjoyed his Shiitake mushroom pizza with fontina and egg (a thin layer covering the whole pizza) and my Sausage, banana peppers and onions pizza (I added) was bright flavors, none dominating the others,each component made in- house and beautifully balanced. Great char on the delicious crust (I just wish the crust edge were not huge like it is) of crunchy, airy, chewy.Top quality marinara (fresh and bright, no tomato paste or sugar) and cheese. While the pizza menu is fairly limited, they do offer a Daily Special. P.S. They will give you a steak knife on request. Extremely nice and efficient waitstaff and chefs. Music was loud but I also loved it. Easy to see that we'll be regulars .
(4)Christopher W.
Phenomenal pizza. Just a little on the pricey side for what you get. Highly recommend getting the clam/bacon pizza.
(4)Danielle F.
Having been a fan of the Area Four in Kendall Square, my visit to A4 in Union-near was long overdue. After my first visit, of course I am kicking myself for not getting there sooner. A word to the wise, this is not a place to come with a big group of people. Most of the seats are bar seats lining the periphery of the space. There are a few small tables, mostly tables for two, but it could feel like a tight fit. On my inaugural visit, I snagged two seats at the bar, near the oven. This made for a pleasant evening and spying the open kitchen and watching those delicious pies getting made. There were two TVs at the bar, showing movies (Home Alone with Spanish subtitles was available for my viewing pleasure). There's a decent-sized beer list of drafts, bottles, and cans. Additionally, there are some wine options as well. The beer list does seem to have some seasonal choices, so I would expect to see that change throughout the year. There's an emphasis on mircobrews, including several local brewers. The food menu has a few snacks to share as starters, while the mains are all pizzas (hence the name of this joint). We ordered the Housemade Winter Pickles. Thinking it would be pickles, we were a bit surprised when pickled mixed vegetables arrived. We were still completely happy with our choice, as it was a mix of celery, cauliflower, pickles, and carrots. Very tasty. For two people, we opted to share two pizzas. All pizzas are 12 inches, cooked in the wood stove for a nice char to the crust. Most pizzas have some type of meat component to it, so if you are looking for something without meat, you can find a few options as is or ask for a modification. We opted to get the Shitake Mushroom pizza and based on the bartenders suggestion, the Butternut Squash pizza. Both were fantastic, but the savory nature of the Shitake Mushroom pizza put that one on top! The shitake mushroom pizza had a mushroom sauce base and was topped with shitake mushrooms, fontina cheese, and eggs. The pizza had a wonderfully rich taste to it. The butternut squash pizza, which we ordered without the bacon, had butternut puree base, along with butternut squash, provolone cheese, pumpkin seeds, apple slices, and caramelized onions. I would order both again in a heartbeat. The service was great, the bartenders were friendly and knew the menu well. There is much more personality and atmosphere to this place as compared to the more sterile environment in Kendall. Prices were quite fair given the quality of the ingredients. I'll be back.
(4)JD H.
The pizza here was amazing! We had two pizzas and shared the cesaer salad. I got the margarita pizza. The crust is really chewy and the edges were crispy. I thought it was funny that some people on here complained that their edges were burnt. (They do realize that the pizza is actually in a fire pit-right?) The place seemed a bit too hipster at first with the decorations and craft beers but the servers were super nice. New favorite pizza place (dare I say better than Gran Gusto or Posto???!?!)
(5)Keith C.
OH MY GOD!!!! Hands down, the BEST pizza in the state! I have been going up and down the north end looking for the best pizza in town. Little did I know, it's actually located in Somerville, 10 minutes from my house! The margherita pizza is my absolute favorite! I eat an entire pizza by myself! The sauce is fresh and light, the dough is thin, but thick on the outside (yay!) and always just crispy enough! Some reviews say it's burnt... It's a BRICK OVEN! It's supposed to be a bit singed like it is in Italy! The basil is delicious, and the cheese is perfect - not too much, not too little, and not greasy at all! INCREDIBLE! I walked in randomly one day and now I can't stay away! In love with this pizza! I may have to marry one of the cooks so I can eat it forever!! ;)
(5)Derek B.
Got some take out from there. Walked in, initial impression is an old time wood bar/wood everything. I like the feel. Will take a girl there for some minor quick eats. Ordered the Margarita pizza which I was expecting more from. My personal preference is the round slices of tomato on the bed of sauce. Not to say the pizza itself isn't amazing because it is. Parking is on street and nonexistent. The buffalo and gorgonzola was also splendid too. I would have liked the buffalo a bit more spicey, but I am nit picking. The gorgonzola was exquisite and gave just that right amount of alter to the buffalo chicken. I will return and I will try more pizza. The bartender for the short time I was there, was extremely kind even though I was just a pick up.
(3)Sam R.
Had it twice now takeout and it is very good. It's brick oven pizza, so you definitely have to be in the mood for that. Looking forward to dining in there at some point.
(4)Luke B.
One of my favorite pizza places in all of Greater Boston. Go for a chill dinner with friends for amazing pizza and good craft beer.
(5)Guido S.
For the price of their food, you think they could afford AC or at least some ice cubes in their drinks. It was really hot in there today. That said, I ordered the Garlic knots with sauce, pickles, and margarita with green olives and chicken. The Garlic knots were ok, but the sauce was super acidic. The pickles turned out to be a variety of pickled vegetables in a pot, very sweet. It would have been nice if there was a description on the menu saying that this would not be spears. The Pizza dough was amazing, but it was burnt (all the bazil was black), and the olives were chopped up into little sodium bombs and the chicken was oily and dark meat. (again, would be nice if they described the chicken, thought it would be white meat). So... sadly a total fail.
(1)John C.
This was my first experience eating here. We got the garlic knots and buffalo chicken pizza. The garlic knots would have been good if they weren't so salty and greesy. The dipping sauce that goes with them is delicious. The pizza that's was a whole different story. It was very sauggy and disgusting. The chicken was dark meat chicken that tasted like it came from a can I have never seen anyone put chicken like that on a pizza before. For the money I was appalled. Do not go here and waste your money!
(1)Alex B.
I thought this place was cool....for the first few visits. It was a fun place to grab a beer and play old school video games on their big TVs. Then I had a bad experience there and I won't go back. One night I come in and order a high life and a shot of Jameson (off the short whiskey list). I'm poured the shot and given the high life. After I take the shot, the bartender informs me that "oops, that Jameson is actually 20 yr Jameson, not standard Jameson." Oh. I ask him, since I clearly ordered the standard Jameson could he please charge me for the standard or take it off my tab. Nope. They charged me for the $25 shot and the manager said to "make up" for it she'd give me 2 free high lifes (~3 bucks each) and some of their pizza for free, since they were going to throw away the old slices anyways (gee thanks). I understand about accidental orders and such, but the way it was handled was horrible. Besides the video games to play, their beer/liquor selection is very limited (partial liquor license), the pizza is gross, and the service sucks. Go down the street to Bulls McCabes.
(1)Kevin B.
Ordered from here because it was rated so highly on yelp. Got the romaine salad and a pizza. The pizza was pretty small (they have one size) and it was really burnt. Bill for salad and pizza was 28.50 and was expecting way more. Went Back again... Burnt pizza is not my thing
(3)Amy W.
Awesome pizza and great beer list! My boyfriend and I hiked here in a blizzard for his birthday dinner and it was so worth it.
(4)Becka R.
Ordered take out here and was not super impressed with the pizza...Maybe it tastes better when eaten on the spot? Overall it was a disappointing expensive pizza. Did not think it was worth the money.
(2)Gopal M.
Their Crust is one of the best I've had. I love their Clam & Bacon, mushroom and gorgonzola pizzas. Once a week(forgot which day), they have a special dessert. They get the dough from Union Square donuts and make dessert knots and serve it with cinnamon sugar and cream cheese. So yummy!!!
(5)Jackie K.
Pizza: Corn and basil: tastes like corn chowder, could use more basil, my favorite of the night Banana peppers and onions on marinara pizza: could use more cheese, burnt and spicy peppers Pesto and walnut: Good Margarita: Good The mozarella in made in house and really good--very stringy which I like. Good beer selection. Service was a little slow and we were a big table so I guess its good they didn't try to rush us out but everyone else had their pizzas before us including people I saw walk in well after we ordered. Prices seem a little high even for gourmet pizza. Comparable places (small chains with gourmet pizza) have larger pizzas for only $1 or $2 more. Got crowded and loud on a Saturday night. Kid friendly. Old videogames play on a tv screen (that people are playing) which is awesome to watch (more than you think it would be) Parking is a PAIN!
(4)Laura P.
Underwhelmed. Got take out there once. Needed to order 2 pizzas for 2 people because they are on the small side. It was ok. I have another local spot I prefer ordering from that is 1/3 less the cost. The restaurant and bar area looked cute, but I'm not sure I'll head back anytime soon.
(3)Ben R.
Possibly the funnest restaurant I've ever been to, and happens to also be delicious. To give a sense of this place, there is technically a full bar, but the only hard alcohol seems to be Makers Mark. There are also two flat screens set up with old school video game emulators, meaning you can play Sega Genesis games with your dinner partner while waiting for food. That brings me to the next point, which is that the pizza is fantastic. They managed to make high end pizza without making it snooty (ie no duck or arugula toppings, but there is corn, mushrooms, and high end italian meats). Two of us had the mushroom, and the soppresata, two great beers I'd never heard of, and dessert for $50, with more than enough leftover pizza for lunch the next day. Will definitely be regulars here. Well done Area Four folks!
(5)Zach I.
I've been a couple of times, and the pizza has been excellent. Pricey, but delicious. Great beers on tap, as well.
(5)Jason R.
I wish I could offer them at least four stars, but in truth I probably can't even offer them the one that Yelp requires me to give them. So I will offer a simple statement to explain: Every time I order pizza from A4, I FIND HAIR UNDER MY PIZZA!!!!! I then call A4 to complain. When I ask for a manager, they hand it to some other person and say, as if we can't hear them "oooooh, they asked to speak to a maaaanger." The person who answered the phone (and claimed to be a manager) did nothing to correct them. That alone should give you reason to simply not order from them period. They don't respect you as a customer! When I spoke to the manager, I was referred to as "dude" and "buddy" by a guy who obviously didn't know which end of his body to defecate from (since Yelp won't let me use the accurate verb). Hair in my pizza is one thing. Their absolute inability to speak to a customer as if he/she is person worthy of respect and civility is another. I'm not "dude." Until I say otherwise, I am "sir." If you have a problem with that, please refer to the the Board of Health complaint to be filed in the morning.
(1)Maria R.
The pizza is great, but portions are too small and it's pretty pricey. The service is great though, and they have a good beer selection. There's usually a wait.
(4)Amy L.
We ate there this evening and the pizza is great (we've gotten take out before but had never dined in). The hostess was very helpful and friendly. One negative, though, is that we ordered two beers at the bar, paid the bartender and then paid for them again on our dinner bill. We didn't realize until after we got home, and obviously I don't think it was intentional, but make sure you check your bill before you pay!
(3)Ryan P.
Bit of a wait and gets kind of crowded, but the service is very friendly, the pizza is small but filling and delicious, and the salads fresh. I like the changing menu, and their root beer- random, but incredible. Go for it. Get the pickled veggies to munch on while you wait- you won't be disappointed. Just remember that it gets busy in there so be prepared for a short wait.
(4)Jason M.
Huh. Maybe we went on an off night. Maybe reading all of these reviews set our expectations too high. Maybe we weren't in the right mood for it... But no matter, our expectations weren't quite met. It's small. It's cramped. There were no video games on any tv. There were no delightful viewings of our favorite 80s shows. My buffalo chicken pizza wasn't as fabulous as I was led to believe. Yeah, the gorgonzola bacon goo was pretty tasty, but the texture is incredibly off putting. Eric's clam pizza was underwhelming. When Eric doesn't eat all of a shellfish dish, you know there's something up. Maybe we'll give it another try, but I'm not convinced its as good as the hype leads one to believe.
(2)Chaloe T.
I just wouldn't.
(2)Duchess C.
Yum! I always get really excited when my other half suggests A4 :-) The Jerusalem Eggs (shakshuka) are really good, and the salads and pickles that we have tried are fabulous as well. For two people, I'd say your best bet is to grab an app or two and then spilt a pizza, that way you get a sampling of the different flavors they offer. They staff is always really entertaining and friendly, which is great, too. As the place gets more popular, seating might become an issue, so for now, no big deal. Only other complaint is that sometimes the pizzas are a little too charred, but as they get a better and better feel of the hotspots in their oven, I'm sure this will work itself out- and definitely not something that would keep me from returning... or eating!
(4)Jessica I.
LOVED A4. We stopped in on President's Day (after grocery shopping, ironically) because no one wants to cook a meal for themselves after an entire day off. There aren't many tables, but bar seating is plentiful and the staff helpfully pointed out that the seats at the end of the bar would be warmest since they were closest to the oven. They were obviously right, but another upside to this was being able to watch all the delicious, delicious pizzas get made. That oven works wonders. We got the margherita and the fennel sausage & pickled banana pepper. They were both outstanding and I can't wait to come back to try the buffalo chicken and the carnivore. The crust has that great crispy-outside-chewy-inside thing going on. Great beer selection and super friendly staff. It's a tad on the pricey side (upwards of $40 for two beers and two 12" pizzas) or else we'd surely become weekly fixtures.
(5)Eric C.
After moving to Somerville from CT this was the first spot I went to and the mashed potato bacon pizza was pretty good. Cool little place with great service.
(4)Emily B.
A surprise and delight. A great neighborhood place with deceptively good pizza and salads.
(5)Jessie K.
I've only been here once, but I'm sort of in love. I went here with my boyfriend and another couple after climbing down the street at BKBS and boy am I glad that we did. A couple of things about location - plenty of on street parking. And maybe I'm too critical but I don't consider this location Union Square. It's not far from there, but I guess that's neither here nor there. Although it was pretty crowded for the later dinner time, it definitely mellowed out by the time we left at 10:30. I can imagine this is a pretty chill place to grab some drinks and food any night of the week. It's a pretty tiny place - I can't imagine it sits more than 30 people total. The style is just the right amount of weird and eclectic. Upon arriving the hostess told us it would be about 20 minutes so we went to grab a drink at the bar. The first awesome part of the night was that the bartender asked if we were ok eating at the bar, and if so, she'd be happy to ask the couple to scoot down so we could sit together. Bravo for good service because we. We're. Hungry. We ordered the garlic knots with a side of sauce and they were great. Crispy without being overdone and flavorful without tasting like I'd chewed on a straight up garlic clove. Next up was the prosciutto - it came with apples, cheese and some greens. So simple and so good. The portion wasn't huge, but it did the trick as all four of us each got to sample. For pizzas my boyfriend ordered the clam pizza (he said it was ok but I think he has ridiculously high standards when it comes to clam pizza, for some reason. We also had a margherita pie and the butternut squash pizza. I thought that both tasted great. For those who are saying that the pizzas came out burnt... Duh? They're wood fired and that's how they're supposed to look (if they're done right). We only had beer and cider but drinks were reasonably priced for the area. It's not exactly a cheap pizza joint, but I think the extra few bucks are worth it for A4.
(4)Julie G.
The best pizza I've had in Boston. Their buffalo chicken and sausage with banana peppers were both out of this world. Even their margherita (which I saw someone order and have yet to try, but will next time!) is done right with fresh mozzarella, whole basil, homemade tomato sauce... I love how authentic yet quirky their pizzas are. It's not cheap, but so worth it.
(5)Xavier B.
Wouldn't let me drink because bartender doesn't understand how ids work in Arizona. -_- Legitimately 21 and wouldn't serve me beer. Told her I would call the cops to confirm and she said she still wouldn't feel comfortable serving me. Thanks for ruining what could have been a good night for me and my siblings. Was so excited to find such a cool place so close and it was kinda crushing to have been rejected. Ended up getting a pizza to go. It was decent.
(2)Kathleen K.
Truly divine pizza, watch the dough get tossed and dressed from the bar, into the fiery oven-- that fresh. Thin crust, crisp, delicious. My standard fav is the fennel sausage and banana peppers with sauce, mozzarella, but the clam and bacon is awful good too, and had the special roasted asparagus with bacon the other night. Tried the sweet pea hummus with warm thin crusty flatbread as an appetizer, I'll do that again. Nice selection of brews including handcrafted Maine Root Beer (non-alc.) that is outstanding. Small joint, gets crowded, so we go early -- but the crowd is mellow and the staff are great. Go.
(5)Dana B.
A group of ladyfriends and I ventured out to A4 on Saturday night to celebrate a friend's birthday. I had called earlier in the week to make a reservation since there were about 6 of us, but they didn't take reservations, because this place is tiny - which is so unfortunate because it's an awesome place and I wish there were more places to sit! We got there around 7:30 and waited for the table that seated 6 to open up so we could all sit together. Even though we were totally in the way of the wait staff, no one ever acted like we were in the way and were totally smiley when we were apologetic for occasionally bumping into them. We had two servers, William, and then another lady whose name we never got, but was as equally fabulous as William. They served us drinks ($3.50 High Lifes) while we waited and took our order, which they didn't put in until our group was about to be seated. Awesome forethought on their part. The pizzas were delicious. Each pizza was exceptional. We ordered 5 different ones, but the stand outs to me were the Corn/Basil and the Clam/Bacon. They all really were fantastic though - AND cut into 6 pieces (which I am just going to assume they did for us.) After pizzas, the whole bar sang "Happy Birthday" and William brought her a Hoodies which was awesome. Super big thanks to A4 for being so accommodating for our group and making my friends birthday awesome! I can't wait to go back there (which a much smaller group) or just sit at the bar, drink High Life's, and play video games all night.
(5)Caty M.
Baba ganoush was unbelievable! Good variety of beers on tap. Funky decor and a cool atmosphere. Good service.
(4)Lala I.
mushroom pizza, get it!
(4)Brad F.
Finally got to A4 Pizza Bar tonight. I expected no less. The pizza is amazing. The salads are tasty. The beer and wine selection is great, with a side of Maker's Mark. The atmosphere is cozy and friendly. Staff was super nice (our server, William, was exceptional). Oh, did I mention Castlevania was on the big-screen? Will be here regularly. Thanks, A4, for adding one more awesome place to hang in Somerville.
(5)Rachel R.
One of my regular spots. Relaxing bar scene, great food, attentive staff. Small space & small drink selection but they do what they do well--pizza! (Try the garlic knots, too!)
(5)Ali D.
I go with friends, and my 18 month about once a month. It's so nice to go to a "hip" place and have the staff be so sweet. Also, the pizza is great and the beer selection is also very good. So if you want a laid back, hip pizza place with a nice staff go in!
(5)sarah i.
this has to be one of the BEST pizzas in the Boston area. Quality ingredients, awesome flavors, the mushroom fontina with gremolata is unreal, and the sausage banana pepper was great. I did order it delivery though and it was pretty damn expensive - it was $16 for a small size pizza :/... the quality was good though, I'll go visit the actual brick & mortar for a better experience
(4)KittyCat G.
My Neapolitan husband says it's the best pizza in Boston. I love the delivery - fun, fresh, and fast. This place is a winner!
(5)Meredith D.
SO GOOD. The pizza is amazing - you can bet the manfriend and I will be regulars here until we've tried all they offer. It's a tiny spot where The Bearded Pig used to be, next to the Dosa restaurant. They've done great things with a small space - a surprising amount of tables and bar seats without feeling too crowded, VIDEO GAMES, a decent bar, and an overall beautiful, modern design. Also, video games. The manfriend is planning on dominating (and, it is implied, totally "wowing" the crowd with his mad Super Nintendo skillz) the next time his little brother visits. Sure, honey. Sure. Great service. Very friendly. It gets pretty packed, so try to get there before the dinner rush or be prepared to wait (it does have a surprisingly fast turn over.) A limited but good beer selection (especially considering the lack of space.) A looooooooot of Maker's Mark. It looks like that's all they offer... a whole shelf of Maker's Mark... surely not, though - right? Eh... [EDIT: I asked about the Maker's Mark the last time I went. They said since they just opened and didn't know how popular the bar would be, they figured Maker's Mark was a good, versatile liquor to start with. Apparently they make some great drinks with it, but I'm a beer girl. :) ] Anyway, a little pricey but definitely worth it. I mean, it is FANCY pizza, you know? The pizza is rather small but filling - I'd suggest a couple either split an app and a pizza, or just get two pizzas and know you'll have some leftovers. Don't let this shut down like the Bearded Pig... although that was due to smoke complaints from the neighborsANYWAY just go. (Also, they're kid friendly! I've seen plenty of little ones with their parents here and the servers were very accommodating. It's probably too crowded for your kiddo during the dinner rush, but if you're a parent you probably already assumed that. :)
(5)Ashby O.
The best pizza. Crust is perfect. Fresh. Margherita pizza & fennel sausage and banana pepper pizza are amaaazing! Only two ive managed to try because i keep going back... Bartenders are friendly and theres a great beer selection. Half prized pizza after 11 is a perk. Just absolutely nothing bad to say.
(5)Torrie D.
After anticipating its arrival for quite some time, we finally tried a4 pizza bar tonight and were far from let down. We tried the prosciutto and nectarine salad which was absolutely delicious, as well as both the buffalo chicken pizza and the clam and bacon pizza. Holy crap. Delicious. Desert was a Hoodsie cup WITH the wooden spoon. Sup nostalgia? Wine, beer, and Makers Mark at the bar, Castlevania playing on the flat screens. Last, our server, William was the best. Super nice and attentive. Good job! So glad it's just down the street!
(5)Chris P.
So, I have been here three times and these are my thoughts... Positives: Interior design is enjoyable, half-off pizzas late at night, decent beer, usually pretty nice staff, fresh indigents Negatives: Crazy overpriced. I feel like Saccos Flat Bread Pizza and Posto's pizza are a better deal and taste great too. Also, the pizza crust is burnt. Of the three times, once the crust was extremely burnt and inedible. If I was a food server, I would have been embarrassed to bring that pizza to the table. But perhaps they don't want people eating the pizza crust.
(3)Jeff M.
Same great pizza as the original outpost but with more hipster.
(4)Nicole J.
AMAZING!! This is some of the best pizza around. Yes, its small, but totally worth the wait. My boyfriend and I started with the homemade pickles and garlic knots - delicious! Then split the Soppressata pizza - the thinly sliced pieces when cooked get a caramelized crust - yum! Great beer selection and knowledgeable staff. Service was wonderful. We will be returning!
(5)Kathleen F.
A nice cozy place we can walk to with a super nice staff, great beer selection, nice wines and fun cocktails! Their pizzas are funky, savory and sinfully delicious and the appetizers are along the same great lines. We are so happy to have this near us and will be back again and again. Also loving the price point, good and interesting food that is not overly expensive!
(5)D Z.
Tasty, inventive pizza. Loved the shitake pizza. Good choice of beers. Love the funky design touches.
(4)t j.
Amazing pizza and friendly atmosphere. Definitely the type of place you can get good late night food. Half price pizza is an amazing deal.
(5)Sean R.
We got some pizza for take out.. Pretty expensive considering the size of the pies. It was $60 for 4 people. And it's not the best pizza in Somerville by a long shot. We had a clam pizza which just wasn't that good. A carnivore pizza that was good and a couple others that were just meh. People seem to like the hipster amibaince there.. so if that's your thing maybe it's better to eat in.
(2)Gretchen M.
Really fun, cosy neighborhood spot near Union Square. The pizza crust is a labor of love and it is amazing, though some the topping combos are definitely better than others. The clam and bacon is one of my favorites, and the simple margarita is also great. Service is very good, friendly and laid-back. Total gem!
(5)matt m.
The pizzas were burnt. I guess this is part of the style or charm, but there is no way anyone would intend for them to be this burnt. I've seen the pictures with the blackened edges - ok. I can live with that, because the ingredients and bread are delicious. But my pizza was way too burnt. It tasted like burnt bread about 50% of the pizza. They also hide the famous Nintendo. Which is why I went in the first place. But, when the pizza wasn't too burnt to taste, it was great. And a unique and affordable beer collection. I will try again but ask the server to ask the cooks to go easy.
(3)Marissa V.
Soggy pizza. I had this at a friend's house and it was soggy. I hoped that it was just because it was delivery so I (unfortunately) gave it another try at the restaurant. Your only hope of eating this pizza is to fold it in half otherwise it's so limp you have to kink your neck just to eat it. Don't go here. If you find yourself here just go next door to Dosa and Curry. That is some good food.
(1)Christina M.
An atmosphere welcoming to singles & families alike with helpful staff; rough, unfinished decor; and nice beer list. A pizza & salad are perfect for splitting, and with two drinks totaled just $40.
(5)Liliana C.
Mmmm the pizza we had here was pretty legit. We got their special and it really was great. Loved the eggs on top but the banana peppers were a little too spicy for our taste. Exciting new addition to Union Sq.
(4)Melissa W.
Very cool new place in my hood! I had the white anchovy pizza, which was heavy on the anchovies, but delicious. I also love that they have an eclectic selection of beer and wine, and then a rotating bourbon selection. We sat at the bar, and the bartender (and owner, I believe) was very helpful and attentive. I loved the retro Nintendo games that people could play when they are waiting for take-out... there was Frogger and Zelda! I guess its their version of an arcade game in a pizza joint. The coolest part though might be the wood fired oven in the open kitchen.... it makes a tasty pizza.
(5)J C.
Great pizza and the bar and decor make this a great weekday stop. We had the sausage and banana pepper pizza which recommended by the bartender. Great beer list but they could use a better wine selection by the glass. Also, be sure you like pizza as there aren't many other menu options. Overall a very solid dining experience.
(4)Jason C.
Phantom has not steered me wrong, until now. I would only give this one star if not for the great beer selection, both on tap and in cans. Great stuff. If you go here, stick to the apps, although even they are overpriced. We had two pizzas and both were just awful. Both were undercooked, soggy in the middle and really were nowhere near the descriptions on the menu. How this is possible in a brick oven I am not sure. And my buffalo chicken pizza had two tiny pieces of chicken and absolutely no buffalo flavor. I had to ask for the hot sauce, and even then it was tough to get down as the blue cheese "sauce" just overpowers everything, yuck. And the mushroom pizza was even worse, soggy, egg just plopped in the middle and no flavor at all. I hope this was just an off night, or maybe we were there too early. But the pizza we had was pretty much inedible. It pains me to write this, but, Phantom, this was not a hidden jewel for my visit.
(2)Andrea G.
Loved it! Good beer, interesting apps and great pizza. We got the olives and this cool baked egg dish for an app. Then a sausage and fennel pizza. All really awesome! The decor is really cool, too. We'll definitely be back. I'm glad they came to the neighborhood!
(4)Carl D.
Cool hip little joint. Really good pizza. Clam pie was good and cauliflower pie was surprisingly tasty.
(4)stephanie b.
Nice friendly staff and excellent food. Their salads and dressings are so fresh and creative. Pizza is great. Cute, clean place.
(5)Bird B.
good atmosphere but my pizza was burnt and when I looked around I noticed everyone else's was too.
(3)Matt G.
my neighborhood is becoming the hippest place on Earth! came here on their second official day----had the Greek salad and the anchovy pizza----both sublime....good thing the new gym just opened down the block----i am gonna need to work off the 3 pizzas a week i plan to eat here!
(5)Matt F.
My new favorite pizza in Boston and just overall place to hang in union. Excellent food and service. So good.
(5)Mary J.
Not impressed. Called in an order to be picked up at game time. Place is cute and busy waitstaff very obliging but pizza was not great. The carnivore had gristle and the sausage was overly spiced. I will try one more time but for the price of $15 for a small pizza it will need to be better than Domino's for me to be a regular.
(2)Ellen A.
Really like the atmosphere here and highly recommend the buffalo chicken pizza, it was excellent!
(5)vinay b.
pizzas are pretty excellent. greek salad is baby sized and way too expensive.
(4)Alex M.
I love the glasses they serve beer in that are shaped like beer mugs. I should ask where they get them so I can buy some. They have a decent list of beers on tap. I wish they had a good cider on tap. You can't win them all. They do have Downeast in a can. The pizza here is really spot on. The crust is well-made and the toppings are high quality and don't overwhelm. This is thin crust at its finest. My only gripes are that the service here can be kind of terrible. Also, the folks who bring their young children in didn't seem to get the memo that it's kind of a tiny, intimate spot. It's more first date material. Less Chuck-E-Cheeze. Which isn't to say one shouldn't bring the brood out with them. I would just advice them to grab a bite to eat at another spot. El Potro is nearby and seems more family-friendly.
(4)Ryan B.
My partner and I ate here recently and ordered the Fennel sausage and pickled banana pepper pizza. I thought it was pretty good! The pickled banana peppers lent a nice sour heat to every bite and the fennel sausage gave it a each bite a nice savory component. Overall I liked the pizza; the sauce was delicious and well seasoned with pecorino and parsley, and A4's mozzarella had the nice gooey consistency I look for. However, the crust was a little flimsy for my liking and the toppings seemed most concentrated in the center of the pie leaving the outer crust areas with a relative dearth of flavor. Overall, I would eat here again--especially late at night. After 11PM their pies are half price!
(3)Lizzie P.
All I need in this life of sin are Garlic Knots & the Sopressata Pizza from A4.
(5)Gene L.
Some of the best pizza I've ever had! The dough is to die for- soft, pillowy, and light, with the perfect amount of char and crunch. I would come back here just for the pizza dough- that's how great this place is! We ordered the mushroom pizza, and the mushroom flavor was so evident throughout- definitely get this if you like mushrooms! There's a mushroom paste spread over the pizza, then actual mushrooms on top, then a cracked egg on top of that, which really helped the pizza not dry out. Service was great, and there was no wait necessary on a wednesday night. Would definitely come here again!
(5)Cinthia K.
Awesome pizza. Came here a couple of Saturday nights ago with some friends. The place was a bit crowded, so we had to wait a bit before we could get seated, but the wait was very much worth it because the food was awesome. To start, we got a lot of their starters, including their garlic knots, their olives and almonds, and their cauliflower dish. The garlic knots were amazing. One of my friends and I then got a margherita and a shiitake mushroom, and we split our pies in half so that we could sample both at the same time. Nice chewy crust and I liked the charred flavor that the wood burning oven imparted on the pie. Large selection of beers to choose from as well. At the end of the meal, we had some of their cinnamon dough bite..things... which came with a sweet cream cheese dipping sauce. Those were fantastic as well. We all left very fully and content with our meals.
(4)Rachael T.
A4 is a great example of how to maximize a small space and a tiny kitchen. This is no cheesecake factory menu, they offer "not pizza" and "pizza" - no messing around. We sat near the open kitchen and I marveled at the efficiency - two guys deftly stretch dough and dress the pies, one guy pulls the pies out of the wood-fired oven, finishes and slices. Plus he handles the "not pizza." Service is friendly and equally efficient. A4 uses a sourdough crust that is the lightest I have ever tasted; bubbly and charred outside, soft and moist inside. The crust is so outstanding it almost doesn't matter which toppings you choose. But there are some great options and most of the pies feature house made mozzarella. I had my eye on the clam and bacon, but my dining companion couldn't abide by seafood on pizza. So we had fennel sausage and banana peppers. Next time I may test my "almost doesn't matter which toppings you choose" theory and insist on the clam pie!
(5)G G.
Not my favorite pizza - it's fresh and tasty but I don't like sourdough crust. Nice outdoor seating area, though
(3)Alex K.
This pizza is amazing. 1. Dough. They do not fuck around with the dough. This stuff would be the most fluffy, chewy, insanely addictive bread if there were nothing on it. The char they put on it is just right, but I think that's just because the bread is so good it's taking on the char so well. They cook is so perfectly in the oven. It has a solid crusty outside, with a pillow of deliciousness at the edge and it's pulled even throughout the bottom for a perfect bed for sauce and toppings. 2. Toppings. I had the White Anchovie pizza which came with basil, olives, capers, and tomato sauce. All of the ingredients were super fresh and all of the flavors came out. I think the way they cook it is amazing. And regular anchovies are the bomb on pizza, but white anchovies are blow your mind (I'm drooling as I'm writing this, and I just devoured the entire pie by myself, not recommended, but may be necessary). The white anchovies are just the start, because if you love olives and capers well just bring all of your paychecks to A4 to deposit into their pizza bank because I wish I could eat this everyday! Do not hesitate, just eat here. There's no hype, just damn good pizza. Wish I found you guys sooner!
(5)Cathy Z.
They have some really great toppings, and the sourdough crust is a cool idea, but... this crust crosses the line from "blistered" to burnt, and I just cannot get over it. I'm willing to stuff some pretty questionable things in my face in the name of pizza, but the plentiful charred parts on the crusts of both pizzas we ordered were black and acrid and totally overwhelmed everything else. I know, I know, wood fired oven and all that, but I just feel like if something tastes, like, aggressively bad, I shouldn't eat it! That being said, if you're one of those people who purposely burns their toast, get the carnivore, or the white anchovy if you're adventurous!
(3)Andrew N.
Really disappointed in this place. Came with my partner on a weekday night. Each of us ordered a margarita pizza, which was honestly the worst pizza I've had in years---crust was tasteless, chewy, and burnt, and the sauce was too acidic and bland. The waitress we had was also quite rude. Maybe we came on an off night but we would not come again.
(1)Jared S.
Just order the sausage and banana pepper pizza, have a beer and consider the night a great success. They consistently have the best pizza in the city by far, and it's all because of the crust. It's pizza perfection.
(5)Drew K.
We had a superb meal at A4. Our server, Krystle, recommended a wonderful roasted cauliflower and grape appetizer. We had the Carnivore pizza which was perfectly baked in a brick oven. It was the best pizza I've had in a long time, and the service was outstanding!
(5)Matt G.
Came here tonight on a whim with some friends. We arrived at 6:30 on a Saturday-- it was busy as expected, however 5 minutes later and we would have been in a 45 minute wait. They do NOT take reservations. Full stop. There are tables for 4, but only 3 of them. The rest of the seats are bar-style. (Long tables against the window, wall, and bar). They can only seat maybe 40 people total. The other location is in Kendall and is supposed to have more seating. The pizza was fresh, fired right there, and tasty! Flame char on the crust, and innovative! They have a mushroom and fried egg pizza, a "carnivore " pizza (exactly what you think it is), a buffalo pizza get comes with this INTENSE blue cheese dipping sauce, and several more. Each pizza is "individual" which is a big meal for one. I suggest splitting with who you are going with and take it to go. The 4 of us, SHOULD have shared 3 pizzas ; but instead we took all the leftovers home. (Oh well!!) It should be noted that you need to be in the mood for this place.. this isnt a plafce you spend the whole night. The experience is pretty quick. Get in, have a drink, order a few pies, head elsewhere. That said, its great for what it is, its a casual pizza place... but not a Somerville House of Pizza. All in, we had a great time.
(4)Kevin H.
Awesome pizza...Awesome beer...Just awesome...Just go there and be happy...eat pizza Oh n and great tunes :-)
(5)Lisa R.
A4 pizza is A-OK. Surprisingly got a seat immediately at the bar at around 7:30PM on a Friday night. The service and food was quick and friendly. It was fun to watch the cooks prepare all the pizza and food in the open kitchen. Pizza was good, but not anything to write home about. They have interesting toppings and I would come back to try the others (I had the sausage and pickled banana peppers). Overall, I enjoyed the meal, but I would probably try some other pizza places in Boston area before I return.
(3)Claire H.
A4 pizza is very Somerville. And I mean this as a compliment! The pizza here is artisanal and truly delicious. There's usually only two vegetarian options for pizzas (besides build your own) but they're all fantastic!! The mushroom pizza tastes more "flatbread" than classic "pizza" in the best way. I've been here at least five times. Twice the pizza has come a little charred, but was still really good. My recommendation is to sit in the back or at the bar so you can see them making the pizza! The warm beet salad is also super tasty! I really appreciate when places make accommodations for the cold. A4 protects all of the seats from the cold with a double curtain. They also wrote a witty message about the indoors and outdoors getting in a fight and needing their space, asking customers to please respect it and keep the curtains closed at all times. You could sit in the tables right by the curtains and not be frozen!
(4)Marissa T.
A4. As good as it gets around here- really. No fuss, great pizza, and good beer. The pizza dough is charred and perfect and the toppings are incredible. Truthfully, I come here for the draught beer selection and no matter what mood I'm in, there's something for me. Whiskey selection also makes me happy, and the staff is perfect and eclectic. Every time I'm here I have fun.
(5)Jason M.
I ordered a fennel sausage and pickled banana pepper pie for takeout. The sausage was tasty, but I couldn't taste the fennel. The peppers were spicy but I couldn't taste the sweet. The mozzarella was mild but I couldn't pick it out. The crust was nice and soft with pleasant pull. But, I couldn't taste it much at all. Lots of promise, but to me, everything seemed to be overwhelmed by the char. I will try it again. Hopefully, the second time will be better.
(2)Dan L.
Welcome to the neighborhood A4. Great spot, super friendly service, great beers on tap (six-point galaxy was awesome), excellent pizza - and great vibe. The place is pretty small, so I'd imagine it will get pretty crowded as word spreads (even more). Because it's not in a square, I would hope it remains a great neighborhood spot. I am giving a small one-star ding because the heirloom salad that was $12 had very little heirloom and was mostly watermelon, I expected a bit more for the price - it was however, tasty! I will be back for sure!
(4)Scott W.
So good. A perfect addition to the neighborhood. Delicious pizzas, tasty beers, and whiskey. Great for couples, tougher seating for more than 4. Nintendo on the big screens. Doesn't get much better than this.
(5)Michael C.
Came in on a Monday night to avoid the crowd, it worked. The small establishment that seats about 30 is decorated with 80's memorabilia. In fact the whole place feels like that was the last time there was a full remodel here... Don't forget to close the door behind you it won't shut otherwise. The rest of the design and style of this place works, I really enjoyed the pic of Chewbaca drinking Fernet. The giant wooden stove tucked in the corner is also a sight to see. The staff was great, super friendly and quick to make recommendations. They have an eclectic beer and wine menu that also fits the vibe of this place. A4 is also a great value as well. Mozzarella Crostini - Highlight of the meal, it would've been better as a few small pieces instead of one mega piece. The combination of toasted bread, fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and (drum roll) fresh pesto sauce set some high expectations for the rest of the meal. Buffalo Chicken Pizza - While I really liked the blue cheese and bacon dipping sauce I thought the pizza was just ok. I don't think it had enough chicken and the flavors of the pizza itself were pretty tame. I did like the crust. Again, that dipping sauce... So good but it would be a good dipping sauce on its own.
(3)Nicole W.
A4 Pizza was delicious! Great pizza! The margherita was a little sloppy, but sometimes that's just what you want! We came in early so it's hard to judge the atmosphere when it gets busier. Cute little place in union square. Definitely recommend it!
(4)Dan G.
Pizza was top knotch - VERY fresh ingredients, delicious light, bubbly crust. I had the mushroom with the cracked egg (which wasn't my favorite personally, but I had to try it), as well as the meatlovers pizza which was one of the best pizzas I've had in a while. To top it off, I paired the meal with a local draught, "Fire In The Ham", by Jack's Abby Brewing out of Framingham, MA. The smokey campfire flavors left a faint bacon aftertaste, which paired perfectly for a meat fiend eating a meat lovers pie! I'll be back for sure!
(5)Brady B.
This is the best pizza that I've had in a long time. My BF and I shared the Wellfleet cheerrystone and bacon pizza, as well as the Carnivore...seriously delicious. The place is small and cozy, kid friendly (two in our party had lil' ones w/ them) and there is a very cute Waiter there to boot. Even though Union Sq is a long ride from Dot, I MUST return to try more of A4's delectable pizzas! Perfect crust, inspired flavors, super fresh tasting. Oh, did I mention the cute Waiter?
(5)Sonia D.
I had dinner here for the first time on their 1 year anniversary and I wasn't as impressed as I am with the original Area Four. The location and set up is cool, trendy and casual but the pizza wasn't amazing. Our server were great and friendly but I just wish the pizza was better. I will give it another try and maybe check out their trivia nights.
(3)Leslie M.
Awesome pizza, out-of-this-world garlic knots, great bartenders, funky vibe. Very unassuming entrance so keep an eye out for the sign!
(5)