Flanked by a barbershop and a coin-op laundry in Littleton, Marino’s Pizzeria is something of an oasis in what otherwise might be described as a food wasteland. Marino’s isn’t New York–style pizza, or even American; rather, chef-owner Marino Morra, who was born and raised in Sturno, Italy, brings his take on authentic Italian to the table.

The five-month-old restaurant is tiny—just six tables and a miniscule bar—and Morra and one server staff the room. But the recipes are bona fide. I ambled in on a Saturday afternoon, two kids and Grandma in tow, to discover Morra carefully rolling out pizza after pizza on a marble countertop dusted in semolina. Our pizzas arrived with bubbly cheese and crusts licked by flames. Just one bite in, I made a mental note to come back and order calzones or pasta for weeknight takeout.

5280 June 2014
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our favorites

Pepperoni Pizza $9.99
Gioia (Prosciutto, Arugula, Parmesan) $13.99
Funghi $8.99
Tiramisu $5.99
Cannoli $2.50
House-made Limoncello $1.99

9083 W. Peakview Drive, Littleton, 303-955-0373, marinopizzeria.com