The high levels of artificial preservatives and chemicals in modern pizza are the number-two cause of crow’s feet and dry mouth in America. Today's Groupon gets you $20 worth of fresh, organic pizza for $10 at zpizza, an oasis of natural, full-flavored pie in a wasteland of modern preservatives. Zpizza offers bubbly pizza that can be customized for vegans, vegetarians, the gluten-shy, and snooty gourmands. Handcrafted rusticas join hot and cold sandwiches, crisp salads, and pasta on a menu full of organic options.

Every pizza at zpizza is freshly prepared, hand thrown, gently coaxed into the oven using soft birdcalls and pheromone trails, and fire-baked to crispy perfection. The dough is prepared fresh daily from 100% certified-organic wheat flour, and z is also happy to offer gluten-free crusts at participating locations, sating the pizza desire of the allergic, dieters, and wheat sympathizers. Toppings include award-winning Wisconsin skim mozzarella, MSG-free pepperoni, certified-organic tomato sauce, additive-free sausage, and fresh produce. Try a large ZBQ pizza (with barbecue sauce, mozzarella, barbecue chicken, roasted pepper, red onion, tomato, cilantro, and sweet corn, usually $16.95) or a chicken curry and yam rustica (with mozzarella, curry chicken, yam, mango chutney, and cilantro, $8.95). Delight in a small Berkeley, a vegan-cheese veggie pizza (with veggie burger crumbles, zucchini, tomato, mushroom, red onion, and bell pepper, $10.50), or test-drive a mouthwatering Moroccan rustica (with pesto, mozzarella, roasted eggplant, feta cheese, caramelized onion, and pine nut, $8.95). Prices and offerings may vary slightly at each location.

Each bite of the unexpected and satisfying flavor combinations builds on the last, like a culinary crescendo that ends in gustatory harmony. These creative combinations are like an artfully prepared, soda-fountain-perusing suicide drink, except with roasted bell peppers and truffle oil instead of Mr. Pibb's and Faygo.

Reviews

Washingtonian readers picked zpizza as one of their favorite upscale pizzas, and Gluten-Free is Life raves about the cheesy goodness. Yelpers give the Falls Church location 3.5 stars, and three member reviewers on Zagat love the gourmet pies:

• Almost every style of pizza on the menu could be modified to be gluten-free. Heaven!!...The pizzas were amazing. – Kimberly, Gluten-Free is Life
• This pizza reminds of Italy: thin crust, light, fresh toppings...The best is the pear and gorgonzola – so unique and tasty. The Arugula salad stands out. – MichaelB220580, Zagat
• If you want gourmet, this is the place. – HerbL513, Zagat