Rustic Canyon Crew Rolls Out a Casual New York-Style Pizza Counter in Santa Monica

After closing Sweet Rose Creamery’s retail spot on Pico, and moving ice cream production to the rear part of the building, dynamic Westside restaurant group Rustic Canyon reworked the front space as Milo SRO. The New York-style delivery and takeout counter in Santa Monica opens today.

The SRO stands for “Standing Room Only,” and standouts are a fancy white pie — that’s actually the name — with mozzarella, taleggio, creamy raclette, ricotta, giardiniera, basil and garlic oil. Or there’s the tangy BBQ with organic barbecue chicken, bacon, mozzarella, red onion, green onion, and cilantro.

If neither sounds appealing, diners can opt for a customized pie. They’ll also serve a limited amount of thick-crust Sicilian pizzas are made each day with organic flour and tomatoes, non-GMO mozzarella, and locally-sourced meats. Milo SRO’s New York-style pizzas start with a 48-hour fermented dough, then one of nine topping combinations. The counter will keep a rotating selection by-the-slice, plus a rare leap from a pizzeria: a gluten-free crust. Desserts include a gluten-free tiramisu, giant chocolate chip cookies, and half and full pints Sweet Rose Creamery.

The trio behind it all are Milo & Olive’s chef and partner Erin Eastland, head baker Zoe Nathan, and chef de cuisine Jen Toomey. Even though “SRO” implies no seats are available, stools and benches allow dining in the cozy space.

For now, Milo SRO’s hours are from 4 to 10 p.m. Starting May 6, the pizza parlor will extend hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Delivery options are available on Uber Eats, Postmates, Doordash, and Caviar.

Abby Mahler

Milo SRO. 826 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica, CA

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