Pizzana Looks to Power Up West Hollywood’s Slice Scene

Fresh off a Michelin Bib Gourmand mention last month, Pizzana opens a second location in West Hollywood this Friday. Pizzana’s pies are noteworthy enough for the late Los Angeles Times critic Jonathan Gold to compare it to some of the best in the world.

Pizzana WeHo is slightly two blocks south of Melrose on a mostly retail stretch of Robertson. Cecconi’s is the closest food neighbor, and it is impossible to miss with a bold splash of turquoise in the middle of lavish furniture stores and interior design studios. Partners Candace and Charles Nelson, and Caroline and Chris O’Donnell (the actor) opened the original Brentwood location in April 2017.

Naples-born pizzaiolo Daniele Uditi will continue Pizzana’s formula that made the Brentwood restaurant so popular. He’ll continue to use organic, stone ground Italian flours, and his 48-hour slow dough fermentation process, which results in a crisp traditional Neapolitan pie. The beloved cacio e pepe and neo margherita are on display, along with a nod to Spago’s decades-old classic: the salmone pizza with smoked salmon covered in ricotta crema, dill, parsley, bottarga, chive, and lemon zest.

Uditi makes his own gluten-free crust, which can be prepared for any pizza. Also on hand are antipasti and salads. Candace Nelson — executive producer and judge for the Netflix’s Sugar Rush — brought her pastry chef skills to the dessert menu, so keep an eye out for olive oil chocolate cake and a salted caramel panna cotta.

Expect natural and organic wines from small Italian and California producers. As for the space, the owners imported two custom imported Stefano Ferraro ovens, a small pizza bar, banquet seating, and a sleek outdoor patio that will keep the bulk of the seating 365 days a year.

Pizzana WeHo will keep later hours than the Brentwood outpost. It’s open daily from 11am to midnight, with large pizza and pepperoni slices available for takeout from 10pm to midnight.

Pizzana WeHo. 460 N. Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA

Wonho Frank Lee

• Jonathan Gold Compares the Pies at Pizzana to the Best in The World [ELA]