Among the great L.A. conversations, along with which routes are the fastest and what celebrity you saw most recently, is the debate over Mozza's pizza: Bread or pizza? Good or great? Overrated or divinely inspired? It's worthy of an argument between Devon and Stuart on SNL's “The Californians.” But whatever your stance, there's no doubt that the pizzeria is part of our city's identity, its puffy, crispy crust and high-quality toppings a rite of passage for anyone wanting to understand dining here. What's less often discussed is the fact that the antipasti and desserts at Pizzeria Mozza are worthy of their own brand of obsession, the former bursting with the season's best produce, the latter a testament to owner Nancy Silverton's background in pastry. (Like everything in the Mozza empire, the pizzeria is also owned by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich.) There's the much-lauded butterscotch budino, yes, but there's also Meyer lemon gelato pie with Champagne vinegar sauce, some of the best gelato in town, and more. A table isn't always easy to come by, but the best place to eat here is at the pizza bar anyway, where you can watch the chefs stretch, throw and cook pie after iconic pie. 641 N. Highland Ave., Hancock Park; (323) 297-0101, pizzeriamozza.com. Daily, noon-mid. Pizzas $11-$24. Beer and wine.

 

Besha Rodell's Introduction

Anne Fishbein's Photography

The Google Map

 

The 99 Essential Restaurants List:

A-Frame
Alma
Angelini Osteria
Animal
Attari Sandwich Shop
Bäco Mercat
Bar Amá
The Bazaar
Bestia
BierBeisl
Bludso's
Cacao Mexicatessen
Canelé
La Casita Mexicana
Cemitas Poblanas Elviritas
Chichen Itza
Chung King
Cole's
Coni'Seafood
Cube Cafe & Marketplace
Din Tai Fung
Eva
Father's Office
Fred 62
Gjelina
Golden Deli
Go's Mart
Il Grano
Guelaguetza
Guisados
Hatfield's
Ha Tien Quan
Hawkins House of Burgers
Hayat's Kitchen
El Huarache Azteca
Huckleberry
The Hungry Cat
ink.
Jar
Jitlada
JTYH Heavy Noodle II
Kang Ho Dong Baekjong
Kiriko
Kiyokawa
Kogi Truck
Krua Siri
L&E Oyster Bar
Langer's
Little Dom's
Lucques
Ludo Truck
Lukshon
Mariscos Jalisco
Matsuhisa
Meals by Genet
Mélisse
Milo and Olive
Mo-Chica
Musso & Frank
Nem Nuong Ninh Hoa
Nickel Diner
Night + Market
Oinkster
Osteria Mozza
Pann's
Pa-Ord Noodle
El Parian
Park's BBQ
Philippe the Original
Picca
Pink's
Pizzeria Mozza
Playa
Pollo a la Brasa
Providence
R&R Soul Food
Ración
Red Medicine
Ricky's Fish Tacos
Rivera
Rocio's Moles de los Dioses
Salt's Cure
Sapp Coffee Shop
Savoy Kitchen
Sea Harbour
Shanghai No. 1 Village Seafood
Soban
Son of a Gun
Sotto
Spago
The Spice Table
Superba Snack Bar
Tacos Leo
The Tasting Kitchen
Tavern
Tsujita LA
Vincenti Ristorante
Wurstküche
Zam Zam Market

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