For nearly 30 years, New Ganges Indian Vegetarian restaurant operated as part of the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center about a block from Kezar Stadium.

The restaurant was popular with locals and tourists, but it closed last year when the yoga center’s building next door went on the market. The center is still seeking a new home, but New Ganges was reincarnated quickly in July 2013 as Kezar Pizzetta. 

With a wide selection of thin-crust pizzas, salads and charcuterie on the menu, Kezar Pizzetta does a brisk trade with locals. The restaurant offers seating for 49 customers and has a deep bench of draught beers.

Before opening the restaurant, Basim Hammad's family ran a specialty beer store and deli in Glen Park. He said they selected the location because “it’s a nice little neighborhood, and we thought we could put together a good menu and some craft beers that work well together. Nothing goes better than pizza and beer."

Parking is frequently a challenge, but Kezar Pizzetta is yards away from stops for the 6 and 71 buses, and the N Judah is just a block away. Hammad estimated that a third of their customers dine in, with the rest doing takeout or delivery.

What sets Kezar Pizzetta apart from the competition? "Our ingredients," said Hammad. "We mainly use locally-sourced meats, we make our own cheese here daily, and we use a particular pizza flour called Double Zero, which most pizza enthusiasts really, really appreciate."

Customers who dine in have the run of the place; front tables provide a clear view of Kezar Pizetta’s big-screen TVs, and a spacious rear section with comfy chairs, tables (and an enormous salt-water aquarium!) will easily accommodate a large party.

"The aquarium? My nephew's idea," said Hammad.