Martha Dear

"A cozy basement Greek pizza spot in Mount Pleasant, Martha Dear boasts fantastic sourdough pies with toppings like spicy lamb and pickled red onions. The inventive salads, such as the radicchio Caesar and beet salad, are also highlights. The fresh pita from the pizza oven pairs perfectly with the dishes." - 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. 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

"This basement-level pizza shop is named after co-owner Demetri Mechelis’ Greek mother, so he incorporates a range of Mediterranean influences on his specialty sourdough pizzas with toppings that change daily, with the halloumi pie piled with seasonal vegetables and spinach. Don’t miss the white anchovy-covered Caesar salad and homemade focaccia served with sheep’s milk butter, along with thoughtfully paired wines and classic cocktails like an array of tasty martinis." - Emily Venezky

"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. Now the shop has scaled up a bit, batting back the scarcity and opening a patio where customers can eat the pizza while it’s hot, maybe alongside a bottle of Greek wine. Spring for a side of garlic-and-anchovy bagna cauda dip for dunking the crusts." - Tierney Plumb, Emily Venezky

"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. Now the shop has scaled up a bit, batting back the scarcity and opening a patio where customers can eat the pizza while it’s hot, maybe alongside a bottle of Greek wine. Spring for a side of garlic-and-anchovy bagna cauda dip for dunking the crusts." - Eater Staff