"Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. Small, large, circle, square, thin crust, stuffed crust, extra toppings....." -author unknown
In honor of #NationalPizzaDay-- a top priority holiday in my household-- I've taken on the damn near impossible task of picking 5 of my favorite pizzas in Los Angeles. Having lived in LA for 24 years, I've had plenty of the city's best pies. From hole in the wall joints downtown to more gourmet Italian eateries on the west side, I've tried them all. I'm hoping that my list and ample pizza-eating experiences will help guide you to your next za.
Here we go.
The Luggage Room Pizzeria- Pasadena
Price: $$
Best for: Dinner only
I may be biased because The Luggage Room is in my hometown (and walking distance from my house) but this is one of LA's best pizza joints for a couple of reasons. First of all, it perfectly strikes the balance between serving traditional, classic pizzas while also offering plenty of unique, less conventional toppings. This casual neighborhood spot located just south of Old Town Pasadena on Raymond Ave. is the perfect spot to meet a friend for happy hour or for a larger group dinner. My friends and family are big fans of 'the gladiator' which features homemade Italian sausage and salumeria biellese pepperoni and 'the avocado festival' with avocado, tomatoes, basil and lemon zest. Added bonus, The Luggage Room also has an incredible wine list.
Mohawk Bend- Echo Park
Price: $$
Best for: Lunch or dinner
As if the mid century- rural decor wasn't enticing enough, walk into Mohawk Bend and the heavenly smells coming out of the kitchen will certainly entice you to stay. With a vast and varied menu chalk full of fantastic options, the pizza section still manages to stand out. I'm personally a huge fan of their pepperoni pizza. With homemade dough and sauce that tastes as good as their does, there's no need to add much more to create the perfect pizza pie. However if you're looking for something a little bit more daring, I recommend trying the 'arrabbiata' or the 'pb&j.' Be sure to try one of the many craft beers that Mohawk offers when you stop in for your pizza.
Bottega Louie- Downtown LA
Price: $$$
Best for: Dinner
Where do I even begin with Bottega Louie? One of my favorite restaurants in downtown, Bottega Louie is a gourmet market, patisserie and café. From their to die for macarons (made fresh daily on the premises) to their delectable seafood and Italian food there is something for everyone on the menu. All of Bottega's brick oven pizzas are made to order and served piping hot and fresh. Their thin, crispy dough and large dollops of mozzarella never disappoint, and you'll be entertained as you wait for your za as you watch the chefs toss your dough and rotate it within the exposed brick oven. Pizza making is an art that Bottega Louie has perfected. I highly recommend stopping by for your next girls night out or date night!
The Doughroom- Culver City
Price: $$
Best for: Breakfast, lunch or dinner
With a name like 'The Doughroom' you'd expect them to have really great dough... so the fact that they have that, along with amazing sauces and cheeses just takes them above and beyond. Simplicity is not overlooked on this menu as it features plenty of pies with only a few fresh, carefully curated ingredients (try 'the naked lady' which is a cheese-less pie with double sauce, oregano and garlic). However, there are plenty of pizza options that feature more intricate ingredient combinations so perfectly paired you'll wonder how you ever lived without them. The pizza bianci 'parma' with fontina, prosciutto, arugla, parmesan and lemon is my go-to. Not feeling like sharing your pizza experience with other diners? Doughroom is available for takeout and delivery.
Mi Piace- Pasadena
Price: $$$
Best for: Lunch or dinner
If you're looking for a restaurant that has impeccable service, the best atmosphere and out of this world delicious food then look no further than Mi Piace. With a menu that features many classic Italian dishes, it's no surprise that their pizzas are (almost) as good as anything you'd find wandering around the streets of Italy. With generous amounts of cheese and fresh toppings these large, traditional Italian pizzas are large enough to share. If you have any room left in your stomach by the end of your meal on of Mi Piace's decadently rich desserts would be the perfect way to end a cheesy, pizza-filled meal.
Happy pizza eating, LA!
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