Martha Dear
Restaurant · Mount Pleasant ·
Sourdough pizzas with Greek & Italian influences; great apps
Sourdough pizzas with Greek & Italian influences; great apps
"Near the end of 2020, Tara Smith and Demetri Mechelis opened Martha Dear for takeout only, teasing customers with a panoply of savory smells wafting out of the domed pizza oven inside the lower-level space in Mt. Pleasant. The 12-inch sourdough pizzas, initially available through a limited amount of online preorders, were an instant hit, building a fast following with a uniquely bubbly dough and topping combinations like ‘nduja and peppers. Spring for a side of garlic-and-anchovy bagna cauda dip for dunking the crusts. Know before you go: Eat the pizza while it’s hot on a patio, maybe alongside a bottle of Greek wine." - Tierney Plumb
"Tucked into a cramped, cave-like space in Mt. Pleasant, Martha Dear makes Neapolitan-style pizzas with flavors that are all Greek. The bouncy, beautifully-blistered sourdough crusts have a natural tang that’s noticeable without being overwhelming. They’re a perfect compliment to the boisterously salty cheeses on top, like the brilliant one-two punch of kefalotyri and myzithra on the white pie, punctuated with a sunshine-y squeeze of fresh lemon. Don't leave without a slice of the barely-sweetened chocolate olive oil cake, which is almost as dark as the subterranean spot itself." - omnia saed, allison robicelli
"A super cozy, basement Greek pizza spot in Mount Pleasant with a wraparound bar peering into a small kitchen and a huge pizza oven. The sourdough pies are consistently fantastic and topped with ingredients like spicy lamb and pickled red onions, but the inventive salads and appetizers stand out: the radicchio Caesar is topped with crispy sourdough breadcrumbs and tons of white anchovies, and the roasted and marinated beet salad arrives with a huge pile of feta, herbs, and crispy garlic chips finished with a glug of good olive oil. The simple, high-quality components are paired with whipped orange-flavored feta and a fresh pita from the oven to scoop up every last bite." - Tierney Plumb
"Tucked into a cramped, cave-like space in Mount Pleasant, Martha Dear makes Neapolitan-style pizzas with flavors that are all Greek. The bouncy, beautifully-blistered sourdough crusts have a natural tang that’s noticeable without being overwhelming. They’re a perfect compliment to the boisterously salty cheeses on top, like the brilliant one-two punch of kefalotyri and myzithra on the white pie, punctuated with a sunshine-y squeeze of fresh lemon. The exceptional whipped feta appetizer is on every table for good reason. It's meant to be shared, but shouldn't be. Save your generosity for dessert and split a decadent slice of barely-sweetened chocolate olive oil cake, which is almost as dark as the subterranean spot itself." - tristiana hinton, allison robicelli, omnia saed
"Tucked into a cramped, cave-like space in Mount Pleasant, Martha Dear makes Neapolitan-style pizzas with flavors that are all Greek. The bouncy, beautifully-blistered sourdough crusts have a natural tang that’s noticeable without being overwhelming. They’re a perfect compliment to the boisterously salty cheeses on top, like the brilliant one-two punch of kefalotyri and myzithra on the white pie, punctuated with a sunshine-y squeeze of fresh lemon. Aside from the pizza, you’ll see the whipped feta appetizer on nearly every table, and for good reason. What seems like an unassuming dip on the menu is a revelation when it comes out of the kitchen, thanks to a generous addition of ouzo-spiked glyko portokalaki, a Greek “spoon sweet” made from whole chopped oranges simmered in sugar. It’s meant to be shared, but shouldn’t be. Save your generosity for dessert and split a decadent slice of barely-sweetened chocolate olive oil cake, which is almost as dark as the subterranean spot itself. photo credit: Martha Dear" - Allison Robicelli
