Pizza Via is a new gem in the Central West End from the former owner of Pizza Head and Pizzeoli

Central West End residents have a new gem in their backyard with Pizza Via, the newest pizza outpost from Scott Sandler. Sandler is something of a pizza evangelist, having opened (and eventually sold) Pizzeoli in Soulard and Pizza Head in Tower Grove East, two cult classic favorites among local pie enthusiasts. Sandler says the currently sparse, simple space is a work in progress; that leaves the brick oven to take center stage churning out hand-tossed pizzas dignified by perfectly chewy, charred crusts and bubbly, melty toppings.

The menu presents a concise, all-killer, no-filler list of seven pizzas, including the classic Queen Margherita, King Pepperoni, White Knight (a sauce-less pie with spinach, fresh and aged mozzarella, pecorino, garlic, lemon, oregano, balsamic glaze, pepper and olive oil) and Mother Earth Vegan (with walnut pate, tomato sauce, olive oil, sesame seeds and lemon juice).

4501 Maryland Ave., St. Louis, 314.587.8000, Instagram: @pizzaviastl