Pizzeria Mozza=Fantastico

I've been dying for an opportunity to dine at Pizzeria Mozza, Mario Batali's pizzeria in Hollywood. Phil and Deborah were in town recently, and we all went to lunch at Pizzeria Mozza. What a treat. Just another pizza parlor? Hardly. The pizza crust was the best I've had in recent years. The outer diameter of the crust was dark, puffy and downright delicious. According to Phil the pizza is cooked at a very high heat (800 degrees), causing the dough to cook quickly and puff up around the edges. The menu consists of pizza, salads and appetizers. It's all so tasty I hardly know where to start.


First, Mario Batali, one of my favorite TV chefs has partnered with Nancy Silverton (La Brea Bakery) to create Pizzeria Mozza (pizzeria) and Osteria Mozza(fine dining and only open for dinner). The pizzeria is expensive, but well worth it. Pizzas range from $10.95-$23.95 for a 10 inch pizza. We ordered three. squash blossoms, tomato and burrata was the most expensive pizza on the menu, but not my favorite. I loved the funghi misti, fontina and thyme pizza. Loaded with a variety of earthy mushrooms and fontina cheese and thyme, it was rich and satisfying. The third pizza, rapini, cherry tomatoes, anchovies, olives and chiles was exceptional. However, it's only for those who love salt. Sausage is made in house, and the fennel sausage, panna, and red onions and scallions looked delicious. We had lots of appetizers, and I would want to try others on a return trip. White bean bruschetta with olive oil was exquisite. Cauliflower fritti, fried cauliflower in a spicy dipping sauce was so wonderful I am going to figure out how to make it. I've never had anything like it. The eggplant caponata was chunky, mildly spicy and a wonderful appetizer. other options included fried squash blossoms with ricotta, spicy bean salad with almonds, and crispy goat cheese with Umbrian lentils. Everything is interesting, unusual and delicious. You must order a variety for the table so you can taste everything.

Salads looked fantastic, but we were stuffed. Desserts are all made in house and looked like a meal in themselves. I wish I could have eaten more, it was that good.

The restaurant is located at the corner of Melrose and Highland in Hollywood. It took us 45 minutes to drive there on a Saturday, and my mother was saying before she arrived that there weren't many restaurants worth that kind of a drive. She was singing a different tune after lunch, and can't wait to go back.

It's hard to rave about a pizzeria, but this one is worth raving about, especially if you're like me and like interesting and unusual dishes. I'm already anticipating my next visit to Pizzera Mozza. I don't know when it'll be, but I know it's worth waiting for.