North Bethesda/Rockville (whatever the Postal Service decides to truly name it) is growing.  In Pike & Rose there are several new restaurants and I checked out Stella Barra last week.  It’s a pizzeria with several other options on the menu.

My friend and I decided to split a pizza, but after being told it takes at least 20 minutes for pizza to be ready, we opted for an appetizer, as well.

For the first course, we decided on the Cauliflower Hummus.

It was delicious, and loved that it came with both pita and veggies.  But, I will say, $14…for hummus…really?  I would rather make it at home or go to the store and buy something similar. They know people will try a place and order whatever in this area and just want to be out (and I am guilty of it this time).  Will be interesting to see how long it lasts.

For the pizza, we opted for their special of the night, with beets and goat cheese as the prime toppings, with the Grana nixed. Interesting how they can make a whole pizza for $3 more than hummus.  I sweet talked the waiter to into giving us arugula since I can’t do the ‘regular’ cheese.  We got it.

It was delicious!  Perfectly cooked and amazing flavors all around.  All the food was paired with beer and red wine, too.

Totally worth checking this place out, despite the price, because all the restaurants in the area are about the same.