Olio Hits the Spot: Where to Go for Brick Oven Pizza in Los Angeles

January 9, 2012 Collaj
Filed under Global Spotlight

By Shontel Horne —

good brick oven pizza in los angeles It’s no question that Angelenos love their pizzas, and since West 3rd Street has become somewhat of a foodie haven, Olio Pizzeria & Cafe has helped to fuel that fire. The tiny spot opened over the summer and has silently been gathering a steady crowd ever since. You won’t find a 16-year-old dough-tosser here: Chef and owner Bradford Kent often mans the brick oven himself, where temps regularly soar pass 800 degrees for the ultimate in crispy yet chewy crust and burrata and basil goodness.

A former food scientist for the U.S. Department of Defense, Kent’s precision and attention to detail is reflected in his near perfect pies. Kent’s training at the Culinary Institute of America has taken him across the country, from cooking on yachts to developing natural products that are still sold at Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Starting with dough that Kent meticulously researched before refining, the pies, which range from $10.99 to $15.99, are then topped with noticeably fresh finds from the local farmers market such as the fragrant basil and savory mozzarella. The Margherita Plus, a twice baked masterpiece with ultra-creamy Gioia burrata and the Italian fave, Grana Padano, is amped even further when drizzled with the restaurant’s own Tuscan olive oil. For a more interesting dish, the menu also features Hawaiian, classic mushroom and eggplant parmesan pizzas, but Olio’s offerings don’t just stop at the pies. The menu has several salads ($6.99-$12.99) and appetizers that all utilize the massive pizza oven in some way.

The sweet and savory arugula and fennel dish that’s topped with smoky fire roasted grapes, crunchy almonds and then tossed with feta and spiced yogurt is incredibly refreshing before diving into a pie, and the delightful Greek salad made up of Katamata olives, plump tomatoes, Persian cucumbers and drizzled with a tangy lemon vinaigrette is a meal in itself. If you’re still craving veggies, the appetizers start at $5.49, where there’s the exotic roasted cauliflower in coconut curry sauce and the roasted brussel sprouts that are drenched in garlic oil and sprinkled with slivered almonds. But of course, it’s really all about the pizzas, and when paired with one of Olio’s handmade, seasonal fresh fruit sodas, this is a pizza pad not to be missed.

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olio pizzeria & cafe