DINING
Upper Crust Mellow Mushroom stands out among chain restaurants at Norterra Story and photos by Madison Rutherford
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Holy Shiitake Pie
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85085 | NOVEMBER 2018
ellow Mushroom must be doing something right. The pedigreed pizza joint has a long-standing history of serving up piping hot stone-baked pies with fresh ingredients. The Happy Valley location is almost always packed. Plus, it’s pretty hard to go wrong with a place that specializes in pizza and beer. Add unique brewery-esque environs that are ideal for both date nights and family dinners and you’ve got a recipe for success. On weekends and evenings, Mellow Mushroom is anything but mellow. Unlike its chain restaurant counterparts at The Shops at Norterra, Mellow Mushroom is open until 2 a.m. every night. Because of its lively bar area and spacious patio, it’s a popular destination for late-night bites or drinks. Expect a lot of hustle and bustle during happy hour, which offers half-off all alcohol and appetizers from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and every day from 10 p.m. to close. Service can be hit or miss during peak hours, so be prepared to have a leisurely lunch or dinner. The restaurant boasts a lengthy list of reasonably priced barrel-aged, sour, seasonal and gluten-free beers, red and white wines, sangria and craft cocktails. The pizzas are pricey but made with fresh, gourmet ingredients. Patrons can choose from pre-made pies or build their own with a bevy of fresh toppings. Vegans will be pleased with a variety of veggie options, meat alternatives and dairy-free cheese, while pizza purists can indulge in a classic cheese pizza topped with mozzarella and parmesan. Gluten-free grub is also available. The Holy Shiitake Pie is a fan favorite, featuring an olive oil and garlic base, shiitake, button and portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, mozzarella and sweet Mont Amore cheese, fi nished with a swirl of garlic aioli and a dash of black truffle oil and garnished with fresh chives and shaved parmesan. The Mighty Meat, which has a marinara base smothered with mozzarella, pepperoni, sausage, ground beef, ham and