A Local Treasure
A qualification: this is not a restaurant, it is a cooperative bakery owned by the people that work there, with sister operations in Emeryville and San Francisco. That being said, Arizmendi is an original. The pizza, available by the slice or by the whole or half pie, half-baked or piping hot, is some of the best pizza in the bay, with loads of fresh ingredients from peppers to potatoes to pesto, all atop a crisp, fresh thin crust. The brioche, both as "knots" and as "chocoloate things," need to be warmed to enjoy, but once warmed, are second to none. Same goes for the monkey bread. The oat scones are the same ones at Oliveto's Cafe, to whom Arizmendi sells them, and they are hearty. The zampanos are chewy, yeasty and light, with a light sprinkling of sea salt, pepper flakes, and cheese that are nearly impossible to bring home without finishing one in your car. Their bread products, including focaccia and loaves, taste better warmed, but few breads don't. Their shortbreads are so buttery, the paper bag in which one puts them will be see-through within 15 minutes. This is a serve-yourself bakery, not a restaurant, and the ambiance rating reflects this face.
Recommended: pizza, brioche knots, monkey bread, zampanos, oat scones
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 8

The best take-out pizza in town! It is sold light-baked. Eight minutes at home in the oven and it's ready.
Food: 10
Overall: 8

Way Heavy Pastries
The place smells wonderful and is very friendly, but unless you equate weight with quality, go elsewhere for your bread and pastries. The brioches, "chocolate thing" and focaccia were particular disappointments.
Food: 2
Service: 6
Ambiance: 6
Overall: 4