If you’re in pursuit of the perfect pizza, just follow your nose to da LaPosta in Newton. Chef and owner Mario LaPosta has spent 20 years perfecting his craft, with stints in Naples and Rome serving as education and inspiration for this cozy neighborhood joint, where the tastes and smells of Southern Italy abound.

The menu leans heavily on the wood-fired oven, with a pantry full of local and imported ingredients curated to produce the ideal pie. House-made mozzarella, California tomatoes, and a special blend of flour all combine under intense heat to bake a Neapolitan-style pizza in under 90 seconds. The rest of the menu features Italian fare bolstered by local meat, seafood, and seasonal produce, including daily pasta specials and Grandma’s Meatballs.

The blue-tiled oven is the showpiece of the menu and also the restaurant space itself, with hand-painted bricks and retro red chairs giving the whole place the feel of a homey regular haunt. Pull up a chair a t the pizza counter if you want to be in on the action, watching hand-tossed dough being decorated while you down your slice. The 80-seat dining room is bustly without feeling crowded, with lime-washed walls and rustic tones making it the perfect place to hole up on a weeknight or winter’s evening.

And if you’re looking for something to pair with your dinner, pull up a stool at the 16 seat bar. You’ll find Italian-inspired classic cocktails, local drafts, and an unpretentious wine list that digs deep into the terroir of Southern Italy for the ideal accompaniment to the food menu.