For all of you health-conscious folks, there's a new place in town where you can go green all the way! 

Za Za Fine Salad and Wood Oven Pizza Company is another one of those "best-kept secrets" tucked away in a neighborhood.  You have to know it's there, but once you find it, you'll perhaps be like other patrons, and not be able to get enough of it.

Za Za boasts of  using "environmentally safe, non-toxic cleaners" and says most of their disposables are biodegradable! The eco-friendly eatery set up shop with its unique concept about 10 months ago and has a salad bar with the freshest ingredients, prepared in-house, and allows the guests to either have one of the hand-tossed specialities already on the menu or to create their own.  (To get a better idea of the visual, log on to KATV.com, look under the "Marketplace" tab and find "Experience Little Rock."  Follow the prompts under the "Pam's Pick" section and you'll be guided directly to the stories we've aired.)  Who said salads had to be boring? - I never knew there could be such variety!  I kid you not, there are more than 50 ingredients from which to choose on a 20' bar... sugar snap peas, blueberries, pepperoncini peppers, Kalamata olives... goat cheese... white cheddar... Wasabi peas... smoked turkey... wood-oven roasted shrimp.... need I say more?  And you don't have to do any mixing yourself - go through the line and they do it for you.  Top off one of those gourmet salads with their house-made dressings.  Manager, Kara Bibb recommended the Yogurt Cucumber Dill dressing and it was the bomb!   But I had a tough time selecting my salad fixin's because they "all" looked so good and they are all prepared on the spot, using gorgeous greens and other produce from local farmers... hand-battering their fried chicken and using a wood oven to cook many of their meats including the ribeye.   

But the other delish dish - the pizza, a thin crust delicacy, not overwhelmed with tomato sauce or toppings, but scrumptious, nonetheless - cooked in their wood oven at about 700 degrees for approximately 3 minutes.  Those toppings include, but aren't limited to prosciutto, house-made Italian sausage, Sicilian Anchovies and even eggs.  It's not American-style pizza... rather one that co-owner John Beachboard is said to have acquired a taste for on a tour of Italy.  He then learned  the craft of the "Napoli" style pizza under an expert in California who also purportedly taught the likes of Wolfgang Puck.

They've also expanded their menu to include daily offerings of house-made soups.  And if you've never had Gelato - it's an Italian dessert similar to ice cream but with half the fat - it's worth the trip.  There are a handful of varieties - my favorite - the Dulce de Leche - a caramel-based delight.

The ambience reminds you of one of those charming little sidewalk cafes that's full of personality.  They even feature the "Guitar Hero" video game in a corner of the upper dining area.  They have a limited seating capacity and are quite busy at lunch but if you can't find a seat, you're encouraged to try this "gourmet to go." Parking is also limited but because it's situated in a neighborhood, many patrons opt to walk - those who drive may use nearby street parking, which BTW is free.  

Za Za's hours of operation are Monday -  Friday, 10:30 am - 9 pm ; Italian Bar Open Friday and Saturday only until 10:30 pm featuring Gelato, Espresso, Beer and Wine.  Prices for salads are moderate to expensive, depending on number of ingredients; pizzas start at $9.00.   In my opinion, the restaurant provides an appropriate family atmosphere. 

They do have take-out.  For your convenience, the number is (501) 661-ZAZA {9292}  Address:  5600 Kavanaugh, Little Rock

Credit Cards Accepted

Website:  zazapizzaandsalad.com