Looking for a new place to celebrate my 64th birthday. Live in Tempe, and like to support local businesses. As I love pizza, decided my husband and I would ride Orbit downtown for an early dinner at La Bocca Urban Pizzeria + Wine Bar. So glad we did! We chose to sit inside although the temperatures this evening would have allowed for easy outside sitting. La Bocca has an outside dining area that faces Mill but also wraps around the north side of the restaurant. Inside the ambiance was soothing. Dark wood tables with a hint of red, a central area for napkins/utensils, plates, etc. Good size bar. Music played, and seem to become louder as the evening progressed. \n\nWe were a bit confused on how to order the planks, but had an excellent server throughout the evening who explained how to order (for $12 we could order 4 different bruschettas). The four bruschettas came sliced (a generous portion to be shared with one another), so for a total of 8 slices in all. My favorite was the smoked prosciutto, fig, mascarpone and truffle oil- mainly due to the meat and fig-really did not even taste the truffle oil. My husband's favorite and my second favorite was the Gorgonzola, pear, basil w/balsamic reduction. Would have liked the balsamic reduction to have been a bit more prominent in the serving. We enjoyed the roasted baby beets, goat cheese and honey drizzle (again, a bit more honey would be nice!). The roasted garlic could have displayed the garlic more, but did enjoy it with the arugula with balsamic and goat cheese. \n\nWe chose the margarita pizza. Full-bodied tomato sauce and rich melted mozzarella with basil leaves. Crust was excellent... more on the thin side and not overly heavy. We brought 2 slices home with us!!!\n\nWe arrived during happy hour which helped hold our tab down... 2 glasses of an excellent Mirth chardonnay (unoaked) and my husband enjoyed 2 Perroni beers. As it was my birthday, received a free desert. So, for under $40 we had an exceptional dinner at a great place that we look forward to coming back to try other pizzas and their plates and salads. \n\nGreat relaxed atmosphere during the 4:30pm to 6:00pm time we were there.
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