Tag Archives: Pizza

6-Year-Old Nolan Knocks It Out Of The Park With Pizza Creation

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nolanspecialEach weekend, OTTO runs a weekend special — a pizza that you can’t find on our regular menu. The specials are created by an array of members of the OTTO family: the owners, our executive chef, one of our many creative kitchen managers or cooks.

Over the weekend of October 18-20, our special was extraordinarily special in many ways. First, it was the only one created by someone outside of the OTTO organization. Secondly, it was created by a 9 year old boy. Third, it was one of our most successful weekend specials in the 4-year history of OTTO.

IMG_0080Nolan, from Scarborough, ME, was the culinary mastermind behind that special, appropriately dubbed ‘The Nolan Special.’ The delicious pizza featured roasted cherry tomatoes, with bacon and spicy pepperoni. 10% of every purchase was donated to Make-a-Wish Maine.

OTTO was contacted several weeks ago by Make-a-Wish Maine about providing pizza for Nolan’s Wish party prior to his family’s trip to Orlando — he’s a big fan. We at OTTO were so taken with this young man, we asked Nolan if he would be interested in creating his very own pizza for our ongoing Weekend Special series.

Nolan stated that he would want a pizza like a “BLT with a spice to it.” The finished product was a collaboration between Nolan and OTTO’s executive chef, and it was delicious.

IMG_0054Nolan knocked it out of the park with his pizza creation, and we were so pleased to see so many New Englanders gobbling it up.

The pizza was a huge success, selling over 500 slices, and a few dozen whole pies. That’s a success no matter how you, um, slice it.

Great job, Nolan. We hope to collaborate with you again. We know that pizza aficionados all over New England hope so too.

Click here for more information on Make-a-Wish Maine.

OTTO’s Fundraiser Series – Updated Schedule for Boston and Portland

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Several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.

PrintOTTO is pleased to be hosting an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and community organizations. At each event, a portion of sales will be donated to the dedicated organization.

The series began in February of 2013, and runs in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue. The events are from 5pm – 9pm unless otherwise noted.

So far this year, the fundraisers have raised thousands of dollars for area organizations.

In addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers.

OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)
October 1 – Sweetser
October 8 – League of Young Voters
October 15 – Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
October 22 – South Portland High School Project Graduation 2014
October 29 – Spurwink
November 5 – Falmouth High School Girls Softball
November 12 – Silent Sidekicks
November 19 – UNE Marine Animal Rehabilitation and Conservation Program
November 26 – ITNPortland
December 3 – Cumberland Community Nursery School
December 10 – Maine Women’s Fund

OTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
October 14 – Brookline Food Coop
October 21 – Global Environmental Brigades

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!

Interested in being part of OTTO’s ongoing fundraiser series? Write to us at contactus @ ottoportland.com.

And the Winners of the OTTO Rocks! Record Cover Mash-up Contest are…

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In early May, we invited you to salute OTTO’s 4th birthday (June 18) by submitting your own OTTO-themed record cover mash-ups on our Facebook timeline.

We promised to choose our three favorite entries on June 18 and award the following prizes:

1st place: $100 OTTO gift card & an OTTO T-shirt
2nd place: $25 OTTO gift card & an OTTO T-shirt
3rd place: 5 ‘free slice’ cards & an OTTO T-shirt

When we started the contest, we never could have imagined the level of creativity, wit, and talent that we would witness.  The submissions were comprised of mashups from a variety of genres stretching across several decades. Some covers we expected to see, some we never could have predicted.

It was not easy to narrow the entries down to three winners, and it was quite a task to choose the best of that bunch.  There were a dozen or so that were quite worthy of the top three slots.

Without further ado, we present the winners of the OTTO Rocks! contest.

First Place: Colby Knight
Colby’s take on Herb Alpert’s cheeky “Whipped Cream And Other Delights” hit all the right notes. The vintage aesthetic and font work, combined with the cheesy sensuality (groan), make this one as hard to resist as a warm dollop of ricotta.

Colby will be receiving a $100 OTTO gift card, and an OTTO t-shirt.

Here’s Colby’s version, and the original:

herb realherb

Second Place: Angie Grosso
Angie took Notorious BIG’s iconic hip hop cover art and title, and turned it on its head. Through a few simple tweaks, this young man’s bleak destiny is transformed into one of hope and, well, a lifetime of delicious pie.  Heck, we’ll hire him as soon as he gets his work permit.

Angie wins a $25 OTTO gift card and an OTTO t-shirt.

Here’s Angie’s version, and the original:

notorious1311197942_ready_to_die

Third Place: Mark Viens
Mark’s take on Smashing Pumpkins’ “Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness” is a beautifully updated, OTTO-fied version of an already beautiful record cover. We were impressed by the seamless incorporation of a variety of signature OTTO slices, a nod to our abundant array of pizza ingredients, and acknowledgment of OTTO’s growing constellation of communities.

Mark wins 5 ‘free slice’ cards & an OTTO T-shirt.

Here’s Mark’s submission, and the original:

954648_608424312502836_447533176_nMellonCollie_Standardpackshot

Congratulations to our three finalists.

We had so many wonderful submissions, we urge you to take a look at the entire gallery.

Thanks to everyone who shared their creations with us. We truly love them all.

OTTO’s Fundraiser Series – Updated Schedule for Boston and Portland

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Several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.

PrintOTTO is pleased to be hosting an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and community organizations. At each event, a portion of sales will be donated to the dedicated organization.

The series, which began in February of 2013, runs weekly in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s new 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue. The events are from 5pm – 9pm unless otherwise noted.

OTTO looks forward to partnering with many wonderful regional charities, schools, and non-profit organizations. The fundraiser series further extends OTTO’s philanthropic initiatives – the restaurant has been actively supporting charities and non-profits since opening its doors in 2009.

25945_10151427371857650_1879767039_nIn addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers. OTTO also looks forward to working more closely with organizations and becoming better acquainted with those who dedicate their time to these causes.

The series is still in its infancy, and OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)salt

May 28 – Community Television Network
June 4 – SPACE Gallery
June 11 – Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
July 2 – Environmental Health Strategy Center
July 9 – Maine Youth Leadership
June 25 – KidsPeace
August 6 – Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership of Maine
August 13 – Portland Youth Dance
August 20 – International Children’s Enrichment Program

logoOTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
May 27 – Brookline Literacy Partnership

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!

The Verdict on OTTO’s Gluten-free Crust

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Since we launched gluten-free crust on Feb. 28, many people have asked, “How is it?”

glutenfree3We tend to have high standards regarding the food we serve, but we figure the best critics are our guests, especially those who are either already big fans of OTTO, or who are gluten-sensitive and familiar with what’s available in the marketplace.

A few comments from those who have tried OTTO’s new gluten-free crust option:

“The crust was buttery and crunchy! My room mate even said if I hadn’t told her the crust was gluten-free she wouldn’t have even known… I ate four whole slices and didn’t get a stomach ache!…Thumbs up for OTTO’s gluten free pizza!” – Gluten Free Babe (blog)

“Probably the best gluten free crust I’ve had.” – Facebook fan

“It was awesome, thank you so so so so much for getting GF pizza dough!!! I’d say it was actually the best GF pizza i’ve had so far.” – Facebook fan

Come to any of our locations and try our gluten-free crust. We’re pretty excited about it, and we’re always looking for feedback. Our goal is to provide the best pizza for gluten-sensitive diners in all of New England (and beyond!), and your reviews will help us ensure that we meet our goal.

Happy eating!

OTTO To Provide Gluten-Free Crust Option

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On Thursday, February 28, OTTO will begin providing a gluten-free crust option appropriate for guests with mild gluten sensitivities. Guests will also be able to wash their pizza down with a bottle of Estrella Damm, voted the World’s Best Gluten-Free Lager at the World Beer Awards.

glutenfree1Thousands of Portland- and Boston-area gluten-sensitive eaters have been dying to try OTTO’s mashed potato, scallion, and bacon pie, or the butternut squash, ricotta, and cranberry option. Starting Feb. 28, they can dig in.

Every pizza on OTTO’s menu, with the exception of the three-cheese tortellini (which is gluten-based) will be available on the new gluten-free crust.  Gluten-free pizzas will be available as 10″ pies.

OTTO’s gluten-free pizza is appropriate for guests with mild gluten sensitivity. However, it is not recommended to guests with celiac disease. While the crust is prepared off-site in a 100% gluten-free production facility, current store operations cannot guarantee that each hand-tossed pizza does not contain trace amounts of gluten.

OTTO realizes that the launch of gluten-free pizza will not only be music to the ears of gluten-sensitive eaters throughout New England, but to their families and friends as well, as families and friends often limit their dining choices to restaurants that are appropriate for the whole party.

OTTO looks forward to winning over a whole new wave of pizza aficionados.

Joe Walsh & Friends: Free World-Class Bluegrass Every Monday Night at OTTO

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179759_559817904030144_1944109_nOTTO’s Arts District location (574 Congress St, Portland) is extremely proud to host mandolin-picking wunderkind Joe Walsh every Monday night at 8pm.

For several weeks now, the acclaimed bluegrass player (not to be confused with The Eagles guitarist) has been helping OTTO break in the new dining room and bar expansion. We’re not sure how long we’ll be lucky enough to host Joe & friends, but it has certainly been a treat.

For the uninitiated, Joe Walsh was the first student at Berklee College of Music to graduate with a degree in performance specializing in mandolin. He currently teaches at Berklee, where he serves as Managing Director of the American Roots Music Program.

The world-renowned fiddle legend Darol Anger called Walsh “one of my favorite musicians on earth.”

While in Boston, Joe played in several bands, including Joy Kills Sorrow, the New England Bluegrass Band and Northern Lights. Since 2007, Joe has called Portland home. He is currently a full time member of the Gibson Brothers, recently named the 2012 IBMA Entertainers of the Year.

Joe Walsh Press ShotAlthough Joe is certainly one of Portland’s busiest and most celebrated musicians, he has found time to pull together an enormously talented rotating group of friends to perform each Monday night at OTTO. The performances are loose and fun, but certainly not lacking in fireworks.

And to boot, the shows are 100% free.

We can’t think of a better way to spend a Monday night.

Grab your family and friends, pop over for a few pies, some craft beer, and take in some of the best bluegrass you’re likely to hear anywhere.

Here’s a taste of Joe’s playing, from a recent performance at One Longfellow Square:

OTTO Launches Delivery in Brookline

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This week, OTTO officially ventured into the Boston pizza delivery market with the launch of full-service delivery in the Brookline area.

deliverymapWhile OTTO’s home city of Portland, ME has been enjoying delivery service for a little over a year, Boston-area pizza fans have been chomping at the bit for home delivery of their favorite signature pies.

People living and working east and south of Commonwealth Avenue (including Boston University), north of Boylston Street, and west of The Fenway, can order any of OTTO’s pizzas, salads, and beverages — with no delivery fees and no minimum order required.

Residents and workers only need to remember one phone number for delivery, regardless of which OTTO is closest to them. The number, which is also OTTO’s central number for catering, is 617-499-3352.

OTTO wants to remind its Boston that they are committed to feeding as many hungry residents and workers as possible. The initial delivery area is sure to expand in the coming months, but OTTO wants to ensure that the delivery service exceeds the expectations of those who frequent the restaurant.

In addition to delivery, OTTO provides full-service catering in the Boston area. OTTO is perfect for events ranging from business meetings to wedding rehearsal dinners. In addition to our signature pies, OTTO provides a variety of salads, beverages, and desserts. Both catering and delivery can be ordered via the same number: 617-499-3352.

Beer and Wine Now Flowing at OTTO’s BU Location

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Starting today, guests at OTTO’s 888 Commonwealth Avenue location will have a broad spectrum of craft brews to drink along with their pizza, as well as a generous selection of wines.

While OTTO guests have never had a lack of beverage choices – we serve our own birch beer, root beer, lemonade, and tea – diners have been patiently awaiting this day.

The bar is equipped with six taps of craft brew, with the choices partly dictated by guest recommendations.

Our inaugural draft selections include:otto_beer
OTTO Ale (by Magic Hat)
Geary’s London Porter
Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
Lionshead Pilsner
Oskar Blues Old Chubb
Harpoon Winter Warmer

Available in bottle:
Lagunitas IPA
Brooklyn Lager
Magic Hat Circus Boy

Available in 12 oz. can:
Wachusett Green Monsta
Cisco Whale’s Tale Pale Ale
Abita Purple Haze

Available in 16 oz. can:
Lionshead
Sixpoint Sweet Action Cream Ale

The initial wine list will feature the following:
14 Hands Merlot
Haras Cabernet Sauvignon
Handcraft Pinot Noir
Indaba Sauvignon Blanc
Four Vines Naked Chardonnay

So, if our our award-winning pizza wasn’t reason enough, you now have 19 more excellent reasons to visit OTTO’s 888 Comm Ave location.

Host Your Business Luncheon, Party, or Function at ENZO in Portland

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enzoNow that OTTO’s expansion at 574 Congress Street opens up 40 new seats, ENZO (OTTO’s sister shop next door) is being made available for private parties, business luncheons, and other functions.

Need a place where 24 of your closest friends can gather over OTTO’s delicious signature pies, savory salads, craft brew, and wine? We’ve got you covered.

ENZO is a gem of a room. Its warmth and simplicity make it the perfect spot for birthday parties, business meetings, family gatherings, sports team functions, baby showers, and other celebrations.

The catch? You need only provide a small room fee which will be donated to charity.enzo2

If you’d like more information, please send us an email at contactus @ ottoportland.com with your contact info and we’ll be happy to get in touch with you.

Reserve space now, before it fills up.