BITES NEARBY: Pizzeria Lola Offers Wood-Fired Artisan Pies

At Pizzeria Lola, food is prepared in plain view of customers, and the room is filled with the aroma of the pies sizzling in the copper-plated, wood-burning oven.

The menu includes everything from a good old Marinara for $8 to the Lady ZaZa for $15, which includes Korean sausage with house-made kimchi, serrano peppers, soy chili glaze, scallions & sesame oil.

The starters have something for every taste, from meatballs with crostini for $10 to roast asparagus, blue cheese and saba for $7.

Especially recommended is the simple pleasure of homemade vanilla soft-serve with extra-virgin olive oil & fleur de sel (cacao nibs can be added for another dollar). They also serve a good selection of wine and micro-brews.

The restaurant was opened just last year by Ann Kim. During dinner rush, there's often a line waiting outside the door. Diners who want a guaranteed immediate seat can show up a little earlier. They also take reservations.

Pizzeria Lola is located at 5557 Xerxes Ave. S., Minneapolis. It's open Tuesday-Thursday from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Friday from 5 p.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; and closed Mondays.