Checkerboards Restaurant and Bar

Hudson - Facing an exam and too many distractions, I took my notes and appetite to a restaurant I've always found pleasant, with plenty of good food: Checkerboards Restaurant and Bar.

Debbie Sussman, a server at Checkerboards Restaurant and Bar, greets customers at the restaurant known for its seafood, Italian specials and pizza. K.A. ESPOSITO

When I came in for a late lunch, I found the restaurant still busy, with guests regularly greeted by friendly smiles from the staff.

Although it started as a pizzeria, Checkerboards has grown over the years, adding a full-service dining room and bar to its bright pizza kitchen. I've enjoyed many different menu options in the past, including the chicken gyro dinner ($13.95) and baby back ribs ($17.95). This trip, though, I pored over the extensive menu to find something I'd never tried. I had choices ranging from the many light appetizers and salads (for example, stuffed quahogs, $8.95, or marinated steak tip Caesar salad, $11.95) to sandwiches (a large seafood salad wrap, $7.50, or a small grilled teriyaki chicken sandwich, $6.50, among many other options) to full blown meals including fresh seafood, pasta, steak or Greek options. Checkerboards even has a low-carb menu.

My server, who arrived at my table promptly, just as quickly delivered my oversized Diet Coke ($2.75). I barely had time to open my notes before my side salad ($2.95) arrived. The crisp mix of fresh iceberg, tomatoes, green pepper and red onion was as colorful as it was tasty. The homemade Italian dressing was pleasantly spiced and plentiful.

In addition to being attentive, my server was patient, and eventually helped me with my decision. I decided to try something traditional, but with a Checkerboards twist.

I went with the restaurant's flatbread pizza, which comes in seven varieties to meet every taste ($11.95 for a 12-inch, any variety). I finally settled on the pizza with goat cheese, mozzarella, Italian sausage and red onions, with a light layer of marinara.

The large oblong pizza had a thin, crisp crust, with cornmeal along the bottom. For anyone who makes pizza, that's a very good sign: it indicates a homemade crust and a hot oven, both critical for excellent pizza. The sausage, sprinkled over the top, had a slight bite, and the tangy goat cheese melded perfectly with the mozzarella. Large slices of red onion added a tiny bit of heat.

The key to the Checkerboards menu is that the chefs concentrate on quality, using fresh ingredients and making everything from scratch. This pizza proved that equation equals satisfying, delicious food. Even better, I had plenty to take home to my family, who enjoyed it as much as I did.

I try to avoid desserts, but Checkerboards displays its selections in a glass case, and they are hard to avoid. I confess that I had saved more pizza than I might have, just to leave room for dessert! I settled on a yellow cake with strawberry cream filling and butter cream frosting ($4.95). It was delicate yet substantial, and I ate every bite.

Checkerboards Restaurant is located at 10 Technology Drive in Center Plaza, Hudson. The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday noon to 10 p.m. For more information, call 978-562-4400 or visit www.checkerboardsrestaurant.com.