St. Croix Chocolate Co. It seems almost too good to be true: pizzas — $10, including vegetarian and kid-friendly options — pulled from a wood-burning oven that's set inside an exquisite chocolate shop (yeah, dessert is a no-brainer). Beer and wine, too. Can't make it on Friday night (5 to 9 p.m.)? Pizza maker Caitlin Nazer offers a repeat performance (2 to 9 p.m.) on Saturday. Check out the shop's monthly guest chef dinners ($50); the next is Nov. 15 and features Lucia's vet Nettie Colón. 11 Judd St., Marine on St. Croix, 651-433-1400, stcroixchocolateco.com
Sun Street Breads Bread baker Solveig Tofte sure knows her way around a pizza crust ($7.50 to $11), and her skill with toppings ranges from familiar (a first-rate pepperoni) to gotta-have (bacon with chèvre and serrano peppers). The Hawaiian — ham, pineapple and mozzarella on a lively tomato sauce — can't be beat, and the grinders ($8.50, including a lentil- and ricotta-filled option) are standouts. Available Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m. Bonus: a small, well-chosen list of beers and wines. 4600 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-3414, sunstreetbreads.com
Tillie's Farmhouse Owner Kari Grittner has kept some of the traditions of the restaurant formerly known as Trotter's Cafe, including a weekly pizza night. Think of Monday evening as Pizza Date Night, because $25 buys two salads, two beers from the bar's locally focused taps and a shareable pizza, chosen from three selections, including the Green Monster, which combines onion, house-made chorizo, queso cotija and a green sauce. 232 Cleveland Av. N., St. Paul, 651-645-8950, tilliesfarmhouse.com
Rick Nelson joined the staff of the Star Tribune in 1998. He is a Twin Cities native, a University of Minnesota graduate and a James Beard Award winner.
rick.nelson@startribune.com612-673-4757