Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked dough or the feeling of a warm pizza box on your lap. And while you didn’t necessarily need another reason to eat pizza, we’re giving you one. National Pizza Day is Feb. 9 and we took it upon ourselves to check out some of the popular pizza places La Jolla has to offer. It’s a responsibility and not one we take lightly. Sit back, relax and makes some plans for your next slice. Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill Pears, barbecue chicken, and smoked gouda are just a few of the many delicious local, organic ingredients that can be found on one of Sammy’s 13 woodfired pizzas. And it’s the quality of what goes into those pies that corporate executive chef Alfie Szeprethy makes them so tasty. “We make our dough in-house every day,” he said. “My personal favorite is the goat cheese and spinach.”
While Szeprethy has his favorite pizza, Sammy’s customers have their own. He said their best-selling pizzas are the New York Style – made with mushrooms, all-natural pepperoni, salami, Italian sausage, and house-made tomato sauce – and the LaDou’s Barbecue Chicken – a combination of smoked gouda, barbecue sauce, red onion and cilantro. With incredible ingredients baked to perfection inside their 800-degree oven, it’s no wonder Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza and Grill has made itself a La Jolla staple. Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza and Grill
702 Pearl St. Sammyspizza.com Napizza
If you’re having a pizza meal at Napizza at the UTC Westfield Mall, feel free to indulge yourself, according to supervisor Bela Gonzalez. “We let our dough rise for 72 hours before starting the pizza making process,” she said. “So it’s really light and fluffy.” With a light and fluffy base, the pizza possibilities are endless. Whether it’s a mix of porcini mushrooms, homemade bolognese sauce or besciamella, the pizzas at Napizza are reminiscent of the three owners, who were all raised in Rome. “The pizza is Roman-style because it’s close to home for them,” Gonzalez said. Fan favorites at Napizza include the Veggy Festa – packed with “yummy and nutritionally packed veggies like seasonal ripened tomatoes and parsley and drizzled with tahini sauce – and the La Lasagna – fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano, homemade besciamella, and bolognese sauce. Napizza
4301 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 2033
na-pizza.com Wheat & Water Located on scenic La Jolla Boulevard, Wheat & Water is known for cozy outdoor seating and Instagram-worthy charcuterie boards, but their personal 12-inch pies are not to be forgotten. Taking the aged dough and mixing it with their own blend of importing organic flour, the pizza is hand rolled and baked inside a white oak-fueled fire at a piping 700 degrees. With combinations like Mushroom Duxelles – béchamel sauce with mozzarella with finely chopped cremini and portabella mushrooms in cream, oregano, rosemary and garlic – and the newly-debuted House-Smoked Black Pepper Bacon – goat cheese, delicata squash, arugula, caramelized onions, and balsamic glaze – your taste buds are sure to be satisfied. But even with all the options, owner Ted Cochrane still likes to keep it simple. That’s why he likes the Soppressata Salumi: brie, red onion, spiced honey, and fried rosemary.
“Sometimes,” he said, “simple is better.”
Wheat & Water
5737 La Jolla Blvd. wheatandwater.com Leucadia Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant If you’re looking for a spot that literally has everything, Leucadia is it. Sure, you could be like most people and order a classic pepperoni and cheese. But if you dare to venture to the Nuvo-Italian specialty section of the menu, you’re taste buds won’t be disappointed. From Thai chicken to pear to lobster, there’s something there for everyone. General manager Todd Olszak’s personal favorite is the Rosemary Potato Chicken, roasted chicken, slices of potatoes, red onions, parsley, and rosemary mixed together in a butter garlic sauce. While he’s sure their wide variety and fresh ingredients are what has them churning pizzas out like nobody’s business, he said their delivery service is also a selling point. “I think one of the things people like us for is the delivery service,” he said. “We’re prompt and can handle very large orders.” Leucadia Pizza
7748 Regents Road
leucadiapizza.com Piatti Italian Restaurant & Bar With seasonally-dictated ingredients, Piatti combines unique players like pancetta, and gorgonzola dolce with the pizza classics like mozzarella, house-made Italian sausage and caramelized onions to create delicious, Italian-inspired pizzas. While customers love the traditional pizzas like the Margherita – crushed tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil – the menu also includes untraditional options like Dried Mission Figs – pancetta, mozzarella, gorgonzola dolce and balsamic essence – and Grilled Eggplant – roasted garlic, tomato, basil, caramelized onion, crimini mushrooms, and vegan cheese. Piatti Italian Restaurant & Bar 2182 Avenida De La Playa
Lajolla.piatti.com