Being Selfish Has Never Tasted So Good

Forget the tiresome arguments about what size or what toppings to get on your pizza by heading to Harlow’s Pizza. This newly opened pizza shop in Lakewood only has one size pie — 12 inches — and five styles with no substitutions and no additions. The minimalist menu matches the fresh and modern space’s streamlined design, which is accented with pops of peach and seafoam paint and warmed by the glow coming from the massive wood-fired pizza oven in the corner. Try the Salami ($14) with its simple tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced genoa salami, dashes of spicy Calabrian chili and sea salt. Co-owner John Sweeney is a vegetarian, but he couldn’t resist putting the Salami option on the menu. Its intoxicating aroma even makes him drool when it comes out of the oven after 60 seconds of firing. The spice from the chilies seeps its way into every aspect of the dish for a little burst of flavor with each bite. Can’t take the heat? Try the traditional Margherita ($12) that opts for fresh basil and extra virgin olive oil. No matter which of the five pizzas you try, the crust — slightly sour and totally chewy — sets the stage for the tomatoes and mozzarella to shine. To accompany the pizza, Harlow’s has a concise list of beer, wine, liquor, soda and two flavors of house-made agua frescas made from real fruit ($4 or $7 with booze). The only disagreement you might have is who’s going to eat that last slice. 14319 Madison Ave., Lakewood, 216-712-6502, harlowspizza.com