Earth, Wood & Fire is a clever riff on the name of the eclectic, decades-old band. But the moniker suits the new restaurant, which offers coal-fired pizza, small plates, salads, burgers, and more in an industrially chic setting with soaring windows and ceilings and an open kitchen. Within days of its opening, the place, located off Falls Road between Mt. Washington and Ruxton, was packed with assorted groups in the casual dining room and happy-hour celebrants in a separate bar area. We started with roasted scallops with lemon and olive oil ($12)—three perfect rounds in a cast-iron skillet—that tasted sweetly of the sea. The traditional pizza ($14, 14 inches), with a smear of plum-tomato sauce, a thin layer of mozzarella and provolone cheeses, and threads of fresh basil and olive oil, shone on a crisp crust with a bit of char. Other pies include the scampi with Gulf shrimp and the rustic with pepperoni, ricotta, and oregano. We can’t wait to try the other options.
Earth, Wood & Fire (1407 Clarkview Rd., 410-825-3473)
