We’re Talking Square Pizza, Local Burrata and Queso Tacos
Name: Daniele Uditi
Job Title: Partner & Executive Chef, Pizzana
Resident of: Los Angeles, CA
Local Living: 10 years
Happy Italian Daniele Uditi
Felix Trattoria’s polpette is one of the most amazing appetizers I’ve ever had in my life. They’re unusual meatballs—they are fried, not soaked in sauce. Pappardelle bolognese “vecchia scuola” is exactly how bolognese should be done. It’s a meat ragu and very traditional—it makes me feel at home. Evan is one of the most amazing pasta makers in the country. He’s an artisan just like me—he works everything by hand.
Freshly Baked Daniele Uditi
At Gjusta, I order a slice of square pizza—usually the one with mushroom, thyme and taleggio. The dough is so crispy—it reminds me of a slice I used to have in Italy as a kid. I like to go during off hours (around 7 p.m.) when things slow down, and they’re not too busy.
High-Profile Flavor
Spoon and Pork is a Filipino restaurant with a little bit of Latino influence. The food is just outstanding…simple food with a lot of flavor. I order the Patita, which is pig trotter. It’s sweet and salty and a bit spicy, super tender and juicy. It is served over rice with a bit of cucumber. Your food is often brought to you by one of the brothers (Ray and Jay) who started the restaurant.
When I’m Not Eating Italian Food….
I love the queso tacos at Birrieria San Marcos. You can order a little bit of birria, which is a beautiful braised meat that you can dip the taco into. Even though they’re a food truck and relatively cheap, the care that they put into making even a simple cheese taco is amazing.
Crazy for Burrata Daniele Uditi
I’m a burrata lover, and I love Burrata House’s partnership with Di Stefano burrata, which is the best local burrata you’ll find. They make a simple sandwich that is packed with flavor. My favorite is the rosetta bread with prosciutto crudo, Italian olive oil, salt and pepper.
Top 3 Places in Los Angeles for Italian food
1 | Apollina’s Pizzeria
2 | Superfine
3 | Rossoblu
A Love for LA
What I love the most is the warmth I’ve received from Los Angeles. I’m an immigrant, and as an immigrant, you need to prove yourself to people. LA embraced me when we opened up Pizzana with so much love and warmth.
Buds in Business
The restaurant biz can be challenging if you don’t have the right partners. Partnering with Candace and Charles Nelson has made things problem-free and given me freedom to get creative and cook whatever I want.
Pizzana, Brentwood
11712 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.481.7108
Pizzana, West Hollywood
460 N Robertson Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90048
310.657.4662
Photographed By: Matt Misisco
