Mellow Mushroom   

As its name suggests, the Mellow Mushroom is a laid-back place. Its newest spot at the trendy crux of Peace Street and Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh buzzes with the loud and fast-paced nightly activity of a young pizza-loving crowd. And they flock here for one solid reason: The food is really good. Start off with one of seven amply stocked salads to whet the appetite. The Greek salad is tops. It comes loaded with fresh tomatoes, black olives, pepperoncinis, red onions and feta cheese. The pizza is first-rate as well, and with a spring water dough, it's extra light and crunchy.Specialty pizzas include the Mega Veggie, the Hawaiian with ham and pineapple, the White Pizza with an olive oil base and lots of cheese, and the tasty Kosmic Karma with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, feta and swirls of pesto. You can also create your own choosing from ingredients such as artichoke hearts, roasted garlic, tofu, tempeh and jerk chicken. Hoagies and calzones round out the menu, as does a fully stocked bar. During the warmer months, be prepared to wait for a seat on the patio. Outdoors at the Raleigh location, three giant purple mushrooms dot the seating areas. The restaurant actually had to fight the city just to keep them up, contesting that they were art, not large signs, which the ordinance doesn't allow. For excellent food and fun times, the Mellow Mushroom fits the bill. -- Erica Hinton