Katie F.
Yelp
I've been eying Cart Driver ever since I heard about their Prosecco on tap and Clam Pizza - so after pampering ourselves with facials, my sister and I ventured over for a glass of wine and a bite before heading home.
We arrived around 5:15PM on a Monday, which allowed us to snag a spot to park on the street and walk less than a block to the entrance. The restaurant was relatively busy for a weekday happy hour yet there was plenty of seating in the cozy interior, so the host graciously lead us to a high-top table near the bar, which was perfect for the two of us.
Let's just say the large windows, exposed brick, open kitchen, rich oak bar and jazzy tunes played overhead really create one hell of a vibe, that's totally welcoming. We quickly found ourselves right at home and proceeded to check out the extensive menu.
The bartender (who also happened to be our server) approached us within minutes to take our drink order, and although we weren't feeling Prosecco, we simply asked him for his recommendation on wine that would accompany the Clam Pizza. Ultimately, he chose a deliciously crisp white, that was dry and delicious! He was very friendly, informative and made small talk with us, which was nice. He was attentive yet allowed us to enjoy all aspects of the meal without a rush.
Now - the FOOD! HOLY MOLY.
Everything is made in house - dough, sauces, pasta - you name it, it's made within the walls of the establishment and totally impressive.
We opted to start our meal with a round of fresh Oysters - Massachusetts Oysters to be exact - which were lump, plump and oh, so good! The 4 we ordered went fast, so at the request of my sister, we ordered the Sardines. Before we knew it. the canned Sardines arrived with a side of sauces and freshly baked Italian bread. Let's just say - this was one of my favorite parts of the meal! The soft salty fish paired SO WELL with the sauces against the dense bread - creating the perfect bite! YUM!
THEN, out came the Clam Pizza! Each pie features a delicious cream sauce topped with littleneck clam, pancetta, panna, roasted garlic cloves (which were so so so good) and herbs. Within the first bite, my sister and I looked at each other and said YUM in unison, because YUM. The pizza was perfectly wood fired, generously topped with goodies and had both salty and sweet elements (I swear I could taste cinnamon!) that balanced out nicely!
We were too stuffed for dessert, but possibly next time!
Overall, I'd easily return to this little gem in the heart of LoHi - and you should too!
***Pro Tip: Happy hour is offered, despite the misprint on the menu. We were a little stumped when the host brought us a happy hour menu, only to see that happy hour was offered Tuesday - Friday, but I assure you, it's offered each day - both during the week and weekend!