660928 Tue Oct 20 08:49:51 -0700 2009 24 12 Boston Area 0 5117029 As a Kendall Squareian, I am thrilled to learn that the EVOO/Za folks are planning to open 2 restaurants in the neighborhood. http://www.cambridgema.gov/CityOfCambridge_Content/documents/Licensing%2008-10-09.pdf - scroll down to page 54. Tue Oct 20 08:49:51 -0700 2009 39426 edamame 1 5117319 It's actually just one space, one kitchen, but with two separate restaurant "concepts". One is EVOO 2, the other will be Za 2. Separate dining areas for each, but sharing an entrance and a patio. Of course, it's all very much just in the planning stages, but sounds great. Tue Oct 20 10:20:29 -0700 2009 5117029 12377 bella_sarda 1 5117763 I'm glad to hear that something is going in there, the empty storefronts are kind of sad. Although I've been remiss in going to EVOO, I was really underwhelmed by Za. I wanted to like it, but wasn't impressed. Still, good to hear that there are things getting started over there, even in this economy. Tue Oct 20 12:37:26 -0700 2009 5117029 162632 cpingenot 2 5117853 Don't go into Za thinking its fine dining - its got a focused good menu targeted on those eating nice, casual dinner - a salad and a pie. Sitting in Za with the windows open onto Mass Ave on a summer evening is a treat. It should be a nice fit with the lunch crowd around Kendall.. Tue Oct 20 13:02:44 -0700 2009 5117763 176367 grant.cook 1 5117765 I am one of the EVOO/ Za partners and I want to let everyone know what is happening. Peter and Colleen McCarthy and I have closed on two locations in Kendall Square. They will be located in the Watermark building on Third Street and should be open next February. EVOO will be moving from its current location and Za will open a second location. The two locations will be next to each other and will share an entry way and a host/ess stand, but will be operated as separate concepts. Za (including a 13-seat, full-service bar) will seat about 80 guests inside and 50 guests outside. EVOO will seat about 70 guests inside and 50 guests outside. Both menus will be consistent with the current operations. Za and EVOO will both be open for lunch and dinner to serve workers, residents, students, visitors, and anyone else who would like to come. We are looking forward to February and are very excited to be part of the Kendall Square community. Steve Kurland Tue Oct 20 12:39:09 -0700 2009 5117029 1117815 Friend of Fred 2 5119198 I'm happy you are able to expand, especially in this economy, but as a resident of EVOO's current environs, I'll be sad to see it go from "food four corners." (Will we have to call it "food 3 corners" now, or will there be a new startup to replace it?) I'll be curious to see if the restaurant can support a much larger customer base. I'm really hoping you succeed but sorry that we'll be losing a fine neighborhood restaurant that has also become a destination for those from other neighborhoods. Wed Oct 21 04:52:11 -0700 2009 5117765 12377 bella_sarda 3 5119292 Hopefully something will replace EVOO. No offence to the owner but I had a poor experience there (mostly the comedy service) and have never bothered to return. There is still food on all four corners, too. Wed Oct 21 05:59:41 -0700 2009 5119198 90719 chickendhansak 4 5119386 Oh yeah, Kebab Factory! Still, there will no longer be a fine-dining establishment a la EVOO. Dali has its role to play, but is no sub for an EVOO-type place. Wed Oct 21 06:53:06 -0700 2009 5119292 12377 bella_sarda 1 5117814 I just want to say this to the Za haters: I simply do not understand this. I know, to each his own, but for the record: I really love Za. It's partially adopted-hometown pride (go spyponders!) in a local restaurant that sources much of its ingredients from local farms; but it's also because I really do think the quality is good. Of course, I'm also one of those folks who is happy about almost any variant of pizza that is made with interesting/unusual ingredients, and can stand up without cheese -- as theirs can. (No cheese on pizzas -- it's my personal cross to bear.) And I love Emma's, too. I'll be curious to see how that works out in Kendall when they go head-to-head. Maybe Za will siphon some Emma's business, and it'll be easier to get in there? Whichever way it goes, I'm thrilled for the McCarthys and their expansion plans. We've always had such pleasant, friendly experiences at their restaurants, and wish them well. Tue Oct 20 12:50:49 -0700 2009 5117029 47694 litchick 2 5119237 i was rooting for you but you lost me at "no cheese on pizzas". yikes. Wed Oct 21 05:35:19 -0700 2009 5117814 72635 hyde 3 5120337 Look, its not like I'd opt for no-cheese if I didn't have to. Sadly, I'm highly allergic to cow's milk. ;( Wed Oct 21 12:08:11 -0700 2009 5119237 47694 litchick 2 5119311 I wouldn't say that I "hate'' Za, but I can tell you in two words why I don't like their pizza: lousy crust. Wed Oct 21 06:13:29 -0700 2009 5117814 12348 katzzz 3 5119884 Totally agree. The crust is the problem. The toppings are all fine and all that, but the backbone of the pizza isn't so dissimilar to something you'd find in the frozen food section of, say, Super Stop & Shop. The salads, meanwhile, are on the excellent side. Beets and goat cheese, all the way. Oddly, this will mean that I will have Za within two blocks of both my apartment and my office. Why are you following me, Za? Wed Oct 21 09:58:57 -0700 2009 5119311 40636 jkv 3 5120041 Same here. The toppings are fresh and interesting, but the crust is soggy and terrible. Wed Oct 21 10:44:58 -0700 2009 5119311 28574 bobot 3 5120502 Hm. I wonder if I just don't care as much about crust as I do about toppings/sauce? I don't honestly know, but it's possible. I've never had a problem with their crust, but maybe it's just not as much a priority for me. I am very pizza-flexible -- I like most crust styles, except for the super oily ones. Whereas I do care about whether the place can put some toppings together that make up for the no-cheese thing. But hey -- I guess I don't mind too much if y'all don't love Za. It'll make it slightly easier to get a table on Fri and Sat nights. Wed Oct 21 13:01:14 -0700 2009 5119311 47694 litchick 3 5121640 Yup. I've been in on this conversation at least once before, and it comes down to the crust for me too. Bland and flavorless. It's really too bad, because their topping combos are so interesting. It was especially too bad when I lived right down the street from the place. I really wanted to like it. Wed Oct 21 20:24:34 -0700 2009 5119311 28323 MrsCheese 4 5122496 Hopefully the manager/owner who chimed in above is listening. I just can't imagine a pizza place that doesn't prioritize its crust. If pizza is your business, you better figure out how to make a good crust. Thu Oct 22 08:01:21 -0700 2009 5121640 12377 bella_sarda 5 5124093 If the crust is so horrible why do I consistantly have to wait 30 minutes on a tuesday and up to an hour on the weekends to get a table? The place is great. I have been there at least a hundred times and plan on hundreds more. Thu Oct 22 18:27:38 -0700 2009 5122496 29852 fat pete 2 5124123 Here's another Za "hater" (a rather strong term). The crust was just BAD. We liked the neighborhood feel, didn't mind the wait in the cramped waiting area, decent beer+wine, delicious salads, but the crust was just weird. Litchick, I don't get it - you can't eat the cheese and you say that you are not picky about crust. Then why eat pizza? For me, it's ALL about the crust. Thu Oct 22 18:42:50 -0700 2009 5117814 121319 digga 2 5124348 Za = blah. As pointed out the crust is woefully inadequate, and I really didn't find anything about the pie or overall experience compelling enough to go back a 2nd time. Just not my bag, pretty easy to understand actually. Thu Oct 22 20:43:29 -0700 2009 5117814 13687 Gabatta 3 5127340 Of course, I might suggest that the Za crust is very good for its style. Perhaps those who are hating just prefer a different style? I've been thinking about this all week. At first, I was willing to consider the possibility that I am not picky about crust (see my posts above), but I don't actually think that's true. I think, instead, that I am more of an equal-opportunity pizza crust person -- I like many different styles. I just think that Za has a particular style of crust that isn't to your liking, but that it's a good version of it's style. Sat Oct 24 08:24:55 -0700 2009 5124348 47694 litchick 4 5129115 I agree. I'm a thin-crust lover and somewhat picky. For example, I just made pizza using Russo's crust and was disappointed. I found it lacking in both flavor and texture. I like Za's, and think of it as something entirely different from thin crust. It's definitely a bar pie, and it's not trying to be Neapolitan. The toppings are inventive and delicious, and the salads are excellent. Desserts are good, too. Sun Oct 25 07:17:20 -0700 2009 5127340 77061 bear 4 5131221 Hey, if Za hits your spot, great. Enjoy. All I can tell you is why their crust ruins the place for me. Say I served you a sandwich with imported prosciutto, heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and luscious mozzarella -- on Wonder bread. Well, that's what eating at Za seems like to me. I can't eat their pizza without thinking how much better it would be if it was on a thin, chewy, slightly charred crust instead of a dough pillow that tastes like something pre-made and frozen. Mon Oct 26 07:14:59 -0700 2009 5127340 12348 katzzz 1 5117904 I enjoyed reading that entire transcript! City government in action! Thanks for posting it. Tue Oct 20 13:20:27 -0700 2009 5117029 10820 Blumie 1 5120583 Oh, I went to EVOO once and just loved it. Kendall Square is much easier for me to get to than EVOO's other location, so I suspect I will be visiting more often. Wed Oct 21 13:27:39 -0700 2009 5117029 10452 TheScribe