Monthly Archives: February 2013

OTTO To Provide Gluten-Free Crust Option

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On Thursday, February 28, OTTO will begin providing a gluten-free crust option appropriate for guests with mild gluten sensitivities. Guests will also be able to wash their pizza down with a bottle of Estrella Damm, voted the World’s Best Gluten-Free Lager at the World Beer Awards.

glutenfree1Thousands of Portland- and Boston-area gluten-sensitive eaters have been dying to try OTTO’s mashed potato, scallion, and bacon pie, or the butternut squash, ricotta, and cranberry option. Starting Feb. 28, they can dig in.

Every pizza on OTTO’s menu, with the exception of the three-cheese tortellini (which is gluten-based) will be available on the new gluten-free crust.  Gluten-free pizzas will be available as 10″ pies.

OTTO’s gluten-free pizza is appropriate for guests with mild gluten sensitivity. However, it is not recommended to guests with celiac disease. While the crust is prepared off-site in a 100% gluten-free production facility, current store operations cannot guarantee that each hand-tossed pizza does not contain trace amounts of gluten.

OTTO realizes that the launch of gluten-free pizza will not only be music to the ears of gluten-sensitive eaters throughout New England, but to their families and friends as well, as families and friends often limit their dining choices to restaurants that are appropriate for the whole party.

OTTO looks forward to winning over a whole new wave of pizza aficionados.

Joe Walsh & Friends: Free World-Class Bluegrass Every Monday Night at OTTO

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179759_559817904030144_1944109_nOTTO’s Arts District location (574 Congress St, Portland) is extremely proud to host mandolin-picking wunderkind Joe Walsh every Monday night at 8pm.

For several weeks now, the acclaimed bluegrass player (not to be confused with The Eagles guitarist) has been helping OTTO break in the new dining room and bar expansion. We’re not sure how long we’ll be lucky enough to host Joe & friends, but it has certainly been a treat.

For the uninitiated, Joe Walsh was the first student at Berklee College of Music to graduate with a degree in performance specializing in mandolin. He currently teaches at Berklee, where he serves as Managing Director of the American Roots Music Program.

The world-renowned fiddle legend Darol Anger called Walsh “one of my favorite musicians on earth.”

While in Boston, Joe played in several bands, including Joy Kills Sorrow, the New England Bluegrass Band and Northern Lights. Since 2007, Joe has called Portland home. He is currently a full time member of the Gibson Brothers, recently named the 2012 IBMA Entertainers of the Year.

Joe Walsh Press ShotAlthough Joe is certainly one of Portland’s busiest and most celebrated musicians, he has found time to pull together an enormously talented rotating group of friends to perform each Monday night at OTTO. The performances are loose and fun, but certainly not lacking in fireworks.

And to boot, the shows are 100% free.

We can’t think of a better way to spend a Monday night.

Grab your family and friends, pop over for a few pies, some craft beer, and take in some of the best bluegrass you’re likely to hear anywhere.

Here’s a taste of Joe’s playing, from a recent performance at One Longfellow Square:

OTTO Fundraiser Calendar: Good Food, Good Causes

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Several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.

PrintOTTO is pleased to be hosting an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and community organizations. At each event, a portion of sales will be donated to the dedicated organization.

The series will run in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s new 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue.

OTTO looks forward to partnering with area charities, schools, and non-profit organizations. The fundraiser series further extends OTTO’s philanthropic initiatives – the restaurant has been actively supporting charities and non-profits since opening its doors in 2009.

rmhcIn addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers. OTTO also looks forward to working more closely with organizations and becoming better acquainted with those who dedicate their time to these causes.

The series is still in its infancy, and OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)salt
March 12 – Casco Bay High School Model UN
March 19 – Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
March 26 – Ronald McDonald House
April 2 – Portland Veterans’ Acupuncture Clinic
April 9 – American Liver Foundation’s Run For Research
April 16 – Portland Ballet
April 23 – LearningWorks

Grubstreet_logo_tshirtOTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
March 18 – The Lawrence School
March 19 – Project Mailbox
March 25 – Grub Street Writers
April 1 – Boston Marathon fundraiser to support the Boston Bruins Foundation
April 8 – BU Center for Gender, Sexuality & Activism
April 15 – Project Mailbox
April 22 – OnStage Dance Co.
April 29 – Children’s Center of Brookline
May 6 – Brookline Arts Center

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!

OTTO Launches Delivery in Brookline

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This week, OTTO officially ventured into the Boston pizza delivery market with the launch of full-service delivery in the Brookline area.

deliverymapWhile OTTO’s home city of Portland, ME has been enjoying delivery service for a little over a year, Boston-area pizza fans have been chomping at the bit for home delivery of their favorite signature pies.

People living and working east and south of Commonwealth Avenue (including Boston University), north of Boylston Street, and west of The Fenway, can order any of OTTO’s pizzas, salads, and beverages — with no delivery fees and no minimum order required.

Residents and workers only need to remember one phone number for delivery, regardless of which OTTO is closest to them. The number, which is also OTTO’s central number for catering, is 617-499-3352.

OTTO wants to remind its Boston that they are committed to feeding as many hungry residents and workers as possible. The initial delivery area is sure to expand in the coming months, but OTTO wants to ensure that the delivery service exceeds the expectations of those who frequent the restaurant.

In addition to delivery, OTTO provides full-service catering in the Boston area. OTTO is perfect for events ranging from business meetings to wedding rehearsal dinners. In addition to our signature pies, OTTO provides a variety of salads, beverages, and desserts. Both catering and delivery can be ordered via the same number: 617-499-3352.

OTTO Launches Fundraiser Series to Benefit Area Charities and Organizations

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Starting February 11, you’ll have several great reasons to eat an entire pizza without feeling guilty.
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On Monday, February 11, OTTO will launch an ongoing series of fundraiser nights to benefit regional charities and organizations. The series will run in both Maine and Massachusetts, with Maine fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s new 574 Congress Street expansion, and the Massachusetts fundraisers taking place at OTTO’s BU location at 888 Commonwealth Avenue.

projectmailboxThe first fundraiser will support the BU student-led charity organization Project Mailbox, an initiative that collects funds at campus drop-off locations (actual retro mailboxes) to support charities voted on by students. Each month, the winning charity becomes Project Mailbox’s charity of the month, and all donations go towards that charity.

Project Mailbox describes itself as “a charity for other charities, raising awareness and money for different causes one coin at a time.”

The Project Mailbox fundraiser night will take place on Monday, February 11, starting at 5pm at 888 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. A portion of the night’s receipts will be donated to Project Mailbox. The evening will also feature a 50/50 raffle, prizes on the hour, and a “Hungry Hour” from 5-6pm in which guests receive a free slice of cheese pizza with the purchase of a beer.

Toy_Fund_LOGOOTTO looks forward to partnering with area charities, schools, and non-profit organizations. The fundraiser series further extends OTTO’s philanthropic initiatives – the restaurant has been actively supporting charities and non-profits since opening its doors in 2009. In addition to raising funds, OTTO owners and staff hope the events will help raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and provide a venue for networking, brainstorming, and speaking with potential volunteers. OTTO also looks forward to working more closely with organizations and becoming better acquainted with those who dedicate their time to these causes.

The series is still in its infancy, and OTTO encourages charities, schools, and organizations to reach out to discuss opportunities. Those interested should send an email to contactus@ottoportland.com.

As of this writing the schedule is as follows (all dates are subject to change):

Grubstreet_logo_tshirtOTTO 888 Comm Ave, Boston (across from BU)
February 11 – Project Mailbox
March 4 — Family Equality Council
March 18 – The Lawrence School
March 25 – Grub Street Writers
TBD – BU Center for Gender, Sexuality & Activism

OTTO 574 Congress St. Portland (Arts District)salt
February 26 – Bruce Roberts Toy Fund
 March 5 – Casco Bay High School Senior Class
March 12 — Casco Bay High School Model UN
March 19 – Salt Institute for Documentary Studies
April 2 — Portland Veterans’ Acupuncture Clinic
April 9 — American Liver Foundation’s Run For Research
April 16 – Portland Ballet

Please consider supporting these organizations by stopping by OTTO during their events. A percentage of each purchase will go directly to the organization. It’s a great opportunity to eat an entire pizza without the guilt!