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Finally, A Neighborhood Pizza Joint

March 24th, 2007 · 6 Comments

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So, this is the remnants from last night’s foray to the newly relocated Vito’s Pizza on La Cienega, nestled in the corner of a strip mall between Melrose and Santa Monica. We - that would be me and my husband, Nick Adams - have been lamenting the lack of a solid neighborhood pizza joint since we moved to our new neck of the L.A. woods in June, 2005. There’s Berri’s, which, on rare occasion, suffices for desperate late-night eating. North End Pizzeria, west of La Cienega, doesn’t serve any sort of booze, and who doesn’t want a beer or a little vino with their slice? As we walked up La Cienega, we passed Stone Fire Pizza Co. We’ve never eaten there but the sports bar ambiance left a lot to be desired even upon passing. Vito’s is a small, spare spot with a handful of tables inside and a few outside. Pizza’s by the slice are arranged in a glass case, tantalizingly topped with fresh ingredients. Between the aromas, the delectable sights, and an incredibly welcoming staff, we could tell immediately that this was the joint we’d been hoping for. Our choice: a pie with meatballs, jalapeno peppers, and chopped tomato, paired with Peroni and a nice red. The pizza is so flavorful and, yet, lays off heavy doses of sauce and cheese. Afterward, we split tiramisu, which I find to generally be hit-or-miss, but, I have to say, it was delicious - creamy and light and not laden with alcohol. Next up: calzone, which, per the staff, are about as big as a football and just as tasty as the pies.

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6 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Anonymous // Apr 7, 2007 at 2:34 am

    There used to be a neighborhood pizza joint on 3rd and Cresent Heights (that part of the neighborhood?) Kitty-corner to the former Splash (great 1-2 punch there). I think the place folded in 99 or 2000 and (briefly) became the Ted Frank store.

  • 2 alex the sea turtle // Apr 9, 2007 at 7:34 pm

    Berri’s horrible!!!!

    I think I will try this place because I also live in the area and have not found a suitable pizza place.

    You are a great writer. I have for a long time wanted to start a blog about our neighborhood but I am not a great writer and mostly boring.

  • 3 Tasha Nita Adams // Apr 9, 2007 at 7:52 pm

    Thanks, Alex the Sea Turtle! Starting a blog is easier than you think. You should do it.

    Vito’s vs. Berri’s is no contest; I’m confident that Vito’s will not disappoint.

  • 4 alex the sea turtle // Apr 10, 2007 at 3:22 pm

    Thanks for the encouragement. I don’t know why but I guess it took the suggestion of another blogger who knows nothing of me to get me to do it.

    I created one it’s at beverlygrove.blogspot.com

  • 5 Tasha Nita Adams // Apr 10, 2007 at 4:21 pm

    Alex the Sea Turtle, that’s awesome! I just checked out your blog and it’s a great idea. There is so much going on in this neighborhood with construction and teardowns, it’s hard to keep up. Glad you are.

  • 6 Anonymous // Apr 14, 2007 at 6:16 am

    You should also check out Rocco’s on Wilshire between La Jolla & Crescent Heights. It’s pretty darn good. (Not just their pizza, but other Italian dishes too.)

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