Oak Street Ranch

Return to Mozza

Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Service: A+
Food: A++
Wallet: Not too bad. Choose right, and its in the 15-20 range per person. More, if you're feeling expansive.

If you're a regular reader, you know that here at the Ranch, we love some good italian food.
Mozza does NOT dissapoint!

If you've tried to walk in and get a table, you've probably been shut down. If you've tried to call ahead for that special meal for 8, you're probably still waiting. The truth is, somehow, in this town of endless restaurants, they still keep 'em waiting, after a year of steady business. This project of Mario Battali and Nancy Silverton keeps going strong.

However, if you're flexible on the time, have a smaller group (usually 4) and occassionally, you're willing to sit at the bar, well... you're in for a great time.

With a friend in town, we decided to hit Mozza for some lunch - sans reservations.
We ended up seated at the bar. Very italian style, we chatted up a couple of folks sitting next to us, compared dining choices, and ended up sharing tastes of a variety of menu options.

We started with some wine choices - the quartino ends up giving you about a full glass and a half of wine. Less commitment than the full bottle, and more than just a taste. With three of us, it was a nice small portion (it WAS the middle of the day) and we had a white and red selection (The Quatro Mani Montepulciano, which we've already reviewed elsewhere in the blog, always a solid choice, and the Soave Classico)

For starters, we had the Arrancine alla bolognese - rice balls with cheese, coated and deep fried, with a light meat sauce to give some edge to it. These go down VERY quickly... you might need two orders.
We also had the backed olives - Whole green and black olives, heated in an earthen crock with oil, garlic and citrus zest. Just to warm them through and season them with herbs. Very tasty.
Finally, there were the Squash blossoms with ricotta. These are deep fried. Tasted JUST like the ones in Rome. Fantastic.

So, now, after some sips of wine, some grissini (breadsticks), appetizers, and conversation with our bar-mates, we not only felt very italian, but we were ready for the main course.
Among us - two pizza choices -
Speck, bufala mozzarella, olive tapanade & oregano - melt in your mouth goodness, and the
Funghi misti, fontina, taleggio & thyme - The rich buttery mushrooms, offset by the tartness of the cheese. One of the best mushroom pizzas you're ever going to eat.

Our bar-mates also had the Clams, garlic, oregano, parmigiano & pecorino pizza. Herb-y, rich, meaty clams, and great sauce.
Although we didn't have it this time, the sausage pizza is also exceptional.

There are other choices, other pizzas, main dishes, etc, but we felt this was good for a lunch.
We were not disappointed. Thin, crisp crusts, fantastic fresh toppings. Tastes like you're sitting in a piazza in Florence.

On the recommendation of the bartender, we also enjoyed the Banana Cream Gelato Pie and the Butterscotch Pudding with savory crackers. Get the pudding.
I'm sorry - was I not clear? Leave... leave now - go there and get the pudding. Its outstanding. Rich, creamy... tastes just like mom used to make - if mom was a classicly trained chef... exceptional.

Our server at the bar was prompt, friendly and informative. Great recommendations.
We haven't hit up the Osteria Mozza next door, with its fine dining options, but that's another blog...
Make the effort. Grab a seat at the bar and enjoy.

posted by Mitch @ 1:10 PM