Where to get Pizza in LA - the top 5 list.

So...

At work today someone claimed there were no great pizza places in Los Angeles. Now while it's true there are NO great Chinese food places in LA (only servicable), the myth of there not being any truly outstanding Pizza joints here is simply false. There are at least five I have found in my many travels across this conrete jungle.

1. Mulberry Street Pizza in Beverly Hills. The perfect place to "do lunch" when I was working at a nearby Production Company and only had a few minutes to grab a quick bite. The pizza's not too greasy, not too dry... and very NY tasting. Friendly staff, too.

2. Ameci's. There's a few scattered across town, mostly in the valley. They have pasta, as well. My favorite is the one in Downtown Burbank, though it's small and looks a little rundown, it's always fresh. Admittedly, the slices occasionally come out a tad greasy, but nothing a good old fashioned napkin pat down won't solve. Besides, there isn't anything worse that a super dry pizza, IMO.

3. Michelli's. Great pizza and pasta place. Pizza is similar to the wood-fired style of California Pizza Kitchen, but they have a very unique and lively atmosphere which puts them a step above CPK's more well-known eatery. There's one in Hollywood and one in Universal City. Keep in mind, the staff all want to be actors, so don't be surprised if you walk in during one of the many song and dance routines they do throughout the night. Great place for a date.

4. Abbot's Pizza. Fun little hotspot perfect for hitting up on the first Friday of each month, when Abbot Kinney (the streets in Venice) have a special art walk on the entire block, including inside shops, museums, back alleys and even people's houses! You can walk in, shop, look at art and even get free wine! Plus, they have a few great local bands playing in their front yards. The pizza ranges from tradional to eclectic, but what else would you expect in Venice, California?

5. Sabarro's Pizza. Okay, so the slice is oddly shaped, it's way too greasy, and the service is usually indifferent (that is, if you can find someone who you can even understand), but it's cheap and the best of the fast food pizza joints. Can be found at almost any mall in LA, but my favorite is the Glendale Galleria because it's actually separate from the food court with it's own seating. I've been going to a Sabarro's since I was a kid, so admittedly it does hold a soft spot in my heart. But I still think it holds up. Oh, if you don't like it try again because you have a 50/50 chance of getting a good or bad slice depeding on who is making it and how much they care. But the reward is def. worth the risk!

I also hear Casa Bianca in Eagle Rock is divine, but I can't verify since I haven't been yet. Guess I'd better hurry on over...