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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 18, 2006 The Grotto For many Talent residents, a trip to The Grotto is a beloved tradition — and with good reason. This little local hangout would be a standout in any town. The menu states the restaurant is "a very original pizzeria." Pies with names like The Pizano, Shoulder Hopper and Widow Maker demonstrate someone's got imagination. And the ingredients show there's a method to their madness. In addition to the traditional red sauce, The Grotto also offers pesto, alfredo, creamy pesto, creamy alfredo, garlic parmesan, barbecue, teriyaki, ranch and (gulp) refried beans. After sampling the dynamic salad bar and a decadent sundae on previous excursions, Dining Companion and I couldn't wait to dig into a pizza. We selected the medium sized Garlic Chicken ($10.95) for our first "real meal" at this groovy joint. Generous chunks of roasted chicken, sweet red onion and broccoli and roasted garlic were baked into a creamy alfredo sauce. Advertisement An inveterate heat-seeker, I prefer pizzas with red sauce and lots of fiery ingredients. Only occasionally, when in a decidedly foo-foo mood, do I stroll down sun-dried tomato pesto pizza lane. But on this evening, thanks to a pair of missing eyeglasses, Dining Companion and I discovered a new pizza reality after an alfredo-sauced pizza arrived. "Oh rats!," was my first disappointed thought after our cheery waitress plopped our piping hot pizza onto the table. But "Oh baby! This is good!" came out of my mouth after swallowing my first bite. The rich creamy cheese sauce perfectly complemented the other ingredients. The crispy, crunchy yet tender crust is simply the best. "This is the best pizza I've had since I moved to Oregon," said my Dining Companion — now a three-year resident. In addition to pizzas, The Grotto also offers a great selection of beer, wine, hot and cold sandwiches, a selection of pastas and a very good salad bar. Our two earlier trips to the Grotto were pre-theater noshes. Drooling over the scent and sight of piping hot pizzas adorning adjacent tables, we were always concerned there might not be enough time to get a pie and make it in time for the curtain's rise. On one previous visit we opted for the "single trip" to the salad bar and piled our plates to capacity with greens, pasta, olives, beans, cheese and other hearty fare ($3.50). This night, although we had all the time in the world, our pizza arrived pronto. We ate — and ate. It was very rich. Consequently we saved more than half of the pizza for the next day. Left-over pizza is great for breakfast. On our initial visit to The Grotto, we spied a dessert that couldn't be resisted by two confirmed chocophiles. The name says it all — "Grotto Go Nuts!" This monster sundae easily feeds two — (or more). Your choice of ice cream is generously scooped into the giant goblet where it is covered in brownies and Oreos, drowned in chocolate and caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream and a cherry on top ($4.50). Learning to love a restaurant from the back of the menu forward is a bit unusual. But I like to think we were only following the old adage, "Life is short. Eat dessert first." — Sanne Specht Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Texas Electric Choice Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com