Lefty’s Gourmet Pizza in Niwot is a throwback pizzeria — a classic red sauce joint with pizzas warming on top of the oven and a friendly, neighborhood feel. Order anything off the menu of pizzas, salads, subs and calzones and you’ll get something similar to what you’d get back East. We opted for the traditional calzone on a recent visit — ricotta, mozzarella, spinach and red onions tucked into a pizza crust and baked to melty perfection. The crust is crispy and charred on the ends, soft and pastry-like in the middle, and the filling is creamy, slightly sweet and salty… a perfect balance. The red onions provide a welcome snap of acid.
Traditional Calzone, $9-$11. Lefty’s Gourmet Pizza, 364 Second Ave., Niwot, 303-652-3100, leftysgourmetpizza.com
