By The Slice: The Haute 5 Pizzerias in Los Angeles

Different people need different pizzas at different times.  There is no replacing a late-night craving for a greasy and delicious slice of Frankie and Johnnies, for example.  Whoever coined the phrase “hits the spot” must have known all about this.  And just as there’s a time and a place for eating an entire pizza by yourself in front of the television, there’s a time and a place for delicately eating one slice at a time of an elevated, or haute, kind of pizza.  In LA, many a chef has taken it upon his or herself to take pizzas to the next level – beyond the usual Margherita style pizza, we’re now faced with choices like Fennel Sausage Pizzas and White Pizzas with Caramelized Onions.  It’s a beautiful thing when pizza can inhabit so many arenas in our lives – comfort us when we’re down, lift us up to where we belong (sorry, this whole Valentine’s Day thing is getting to us…) Here it is, LA’s most haute pizzerias.

Mulberry Street Pizzeria

With two outposts in Beverly Hills alone, Mulberry Street Pizzeria knows how to satiate any pizza lover.  It’s a New York style pizza joint with a no-frills attitude toward dough, cheese, and toppings.  The ambiance is very straightforward – black and white tiles, red checkered table cloths, and a TV playing the game.  So order up a Fresh Spinach White Pizza (sounds tres LA, no?), Sicilian Pizza, or a Tomato Artichoke Pizza by the slice or go for the whole pie and rest assured they don’t scrimp on their offerings.

Mulberry Street Pizzeria is located at 240 S. Beverly Drive (310) 247-8100 and 247 N. Canon Drive (310) 247-8998, both in Beverly Hills.

Terroni

Hailing from Puglia and Calabria, by way of Toronto, Terroni owners Paolo Scoppio and Cosimo Mammoliti understand that Italian food has little do with an overbearing “marinara,” but instead has much more to do with simple, fresh, and delicious ingredients.  The no-reservations-but-always-full eatery on Beverly Blvd. is known for its pizza, which is reminiscent of traditionally thin and uncut Neopolitan-style pizza. From a classic Margherita to manifold topping choices like Genoa Salami, Arugula, or Sausages, Terroni is a perfect place to sidle up to the bar, order a glass of some heavy Italian red wine, eavesdrop on neighboring conversations, and enjoy a little bit of la dolce vita.  Also worth checking out is their new ‘wine library’ situated in the back room of the restaurant and available for private parties – thoroughly wine-soaked private parties.

Terroni is located at 7605 Beverly Blvd in West Hollywood (323) 954-0300

Angelini Osteria

The concept of staying loyal to your kin (whether by blood or ‘chosen’ family) is a noble one practiced by basically the entire country of Italy.  It’s also one that has infiltrated the Italian food scene in Los Angeles – there are devout Drago devotees, foodies mad for any alum from Toscana, and those who’ll stand behind Gino Angelini through thick and thin.  Head for lunch on any week day at Gino’s Angelini Osteria and you’ll be met with a bevy of Paramount executives silenced only by Napoletana, Margherita, Quattro Stagioni, or Prosciutto and Mushroom pizzas emanating from the kitchen.  Angelini also offers Tuna and Onion pizza, Burrata and Tomato, and a Vegetariana option amidst their traditionally Italian fare.  The pizzas are delectable and mouth-watering, just make sure you don’t let them compromise your loyalties.

Angelini Osteria is located at 7313 Beverly Blvd. in West Hollywood (323) 297-0070

Bottega Louie

At Downtown LA’s most beautiful marketplace and restaurant, you thought that you could stop at just the colorful macarons, delicious White Beans with Sausage, or your usual selection of small plates.  You were sadly mistaken, for if you’ve eaten at Bottega Louie without sampling their pizza, you haven’t scratched the surface.  Light, thin, and delicious, their pizzas come in Margherita, Pepproni, Sausage, Meatball, Napoli, Marinara, Bianco, or Clam.  (Just to clarify, the Bianco features Ricotta, Mozarella, Parmesan, Garlic, and Arugula.)  The refreshingly spread out restaurant with marble floors and dark brown booths is incredibly inviting and even their pizza doesn’t seem all that bad for you.  Time to indulge.

Bottega Louie is located at 700 S. Grand Ave. in Downtown LA (213) 802-1470

Pizzeria Mozza

Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton’s constantly packed pizzeria has earned itself an almost requisite spot on any list regarding any of the following in Los Angeles: pizza, people-watching, Italian food, and take out.  That’s a lot of lists.  Their list of pizzas is impressive in itself – there’s a White Anchovy, Tomato, and French chiles pizza, a Fennel Sausage with Red Onion and Scallions option, a Pizza alla benno with speck, pineapple, jalapeno, mozzarella, and tomato, and a Stracchino with Artichokes, Lemon, and Olives, just to name a few.  If you can snag a seat, it’s either an off-time or you’re a regular; either way, take advantage of your close exposure to these mouth-watering pizzas adorned with your new favorite toppings.

Pizzeria Mozza is located at 641 N. Highland Ave. in Hollywood (323) 297-0101