What would happen if an Italian grandmother came to Manhattan Beach?
After she goes for a paddle in the Pacific, she’d probably hit up the local farmer’s market and cook up a Cal-Italian feast. Cue Michael Fiorelli, head chef at Love & Salt and your stand-in Italian nonna.
OK, he might be a ‘he’, and he might be a New York native, but his dedication to local ingredients and classic Italian cooking at his Manhattan Beach, Italian-inspired restaurant will have you singing, “That’s amore!”
Amore might be nice and all, but what is love … without pizza? Michael agrees—albeit maybe not as much as @thefatjewish—because pizza is aplenty on his menu. And since his mind-blowing creation—the duck egg pizza—has gained cult status on Instagram, AKA it has its own hashtag (#duckeggpizza), we asked him where to find the best upscale pizza in Los Angeles. Lucky us, Michael got saucy and deep-dished all the spots. Sorry, was that too cheesy? I digress …
Love & Salt
Manhattan Beach, $19
Michael Fiorelli: The duck egg pizza could be considered the archetype of my approach to the menu at Love & Salt. On the surface it seems a bit out of the box and for some people, even a bit foreign. But when you take a closer look, or even better, a taste, you come to realize that the flavors are actually classic combinations just reworked and presented in a more modern, fun and exciting way. And when it comes down to it, if you don't like a pizza with an egg yolk on it, I’m not sure I can trust you.
Image by @hungryinla
Pizzeria Mozza
Hancock Park, $19
MF: A list like this wouldn't be complete without a nod to the place that really started the whole pizza renaissance in LA. Nancy Silverton changed the game, and her pies are still among the best in the city. I like to order the Bianca—a white pizza with fontina, mozzarella, sottocenere and sage. If you want to do it right, go ahead and add their housemade fennel sausage.
Image by @pizzeriamozza
Sotto
Beverlywood, $15
MF: You don't need to look any further than the simple Margherita pie to see that chef Steve Samson crushes it in the pizza department. The char on the crust is the real kicker.
Image by @sottola
Milo and Olive
Santa Monica, $20
MF: What happens when a bread baker decides to make pizza? You get a crust that is almost focaccia-like, of course. Try the Mixed Mushroom pizza with fontina val d'aosta, thyme, lemon zest and parmesan. And don't forget to start with the garlic knot.
Image by @miloandolive
Jon & Vinny's
Fairfax, $19.25
MF: Everyone talks about the LA Woman pizza here, and while it's great (and makes for a solid Instagram photo), I like the Ham & Yeezy. It's a cross between a white/red sauce pie with vodka sauce, ham, red onion, caciocavallo, smoked mozza, and pickled fresno chilies to cut through the richness.
Image by @jonandvinnydelivery
Gjelina
Venice, $16
MF: This place is an Abbot Kinney icon, and the pizza here is largely why it's remained so relevant and popular. My favorite is the Lamb Sausage pizza with confit tomato, rapini, pecorino and asiago. All pizzas are served with a plate of fresh oregano (still on the stem), red pepper flakes, and parm so you can dress it up to your taste. It's a nice touch.
Image by @alicen
Terroni
WeHo and DTLA, $17
MF: In true Italian fashion, Terroni doesn’t slice the pizza for you, but the extra work to eat these pies is worth it. The C't Mang, a white pizza with mozzarella, gorgonzola, fresh pears, walnuts, speck and honey is a testament to flavor balance with its savory vs. sweet profile. Pair it with an order of the funghi assoluti salad for a perfect meal.
Image by @intheheartofthecity
Bestia
DTLA, $19
MF: Much is said about Ori Menashe's pastas (and they are fantastic), but the pizzas here have really come into their own since the opening. Try the Alla'nduja with spicy 'nduja, San Marzano tomatoes, mozza, black cabbage, and fennel pollen. You also can’t go wrong with the Burrata, with Castelvetrano olives, oregano, and fermented chilies.
Image by @bestiadtla
Arden Shore is a writer, dot connector and sock collector from Los Angeles who believes if everyone wore more yellow, we would be one step closer to world peace. She dreams of being interviewed by The Paris Review. Follow her meanderings @ardyparty.
Featured image courtesy of Love & Salt
