Skal Pizza was founded by chef Helene Henderson to celebrate her Swedish roots and , as with Malibu Farm , which she also created , the menu is filled with fresh vegetables that make up the perfect dishes to enjoy in Southern California ’ s endless sunshine . Most of the eatery ’ s seating is outdoors , overlooking Newport Harbor , but a few counter seats and a communal table by a cozy fireplace are also available .

The main appeal of Skal Pizza is the domeshaped , wood-fired oven . This is used to cook the pizzas and small plates , like the flavorful heirloom carrots , served with hot honey and herbed labneh sauce . Like most items on the menu , the vegetable dishes are ideal for sharing or enjoying on your own .

With a focus on produce , the salads are bound to be a hit , and Skal offers some creative options like the arugula salad with rotating seasonal fruit , the charred ranch and the mushroom with fennel . But the sun-

Skal Pizza 3400 Via Oporto , Ste . 104 949-270-6100 ; skalpizza . com

flower ratatouille is the most popular , containing mixed greens topped with eggplant , zucchini , beets , sweet potato and mint as well as both sunflower seeds and paste and a white maple balsamic dressing .

Skal ’ s delicious pastas are worth trying as well , crafted using veggies mixed with flour to produce dishes like the red-hued brown butter beet capellini or the vibrant green spinach and pesto casarecce . But the pizzas are the main attraction , and you ’ d be remiss not to try the avocado variety . This stunning dish features a jalapeno ricotta base that is topped with thick slices of creamy avocado , small slices of spicy serrano peppers , cilantro and a sweet drizzle of agave .

Some other standouts include the butternut squash and sage , crafted with vegan Gouda cheese , a base of tomato sauce made with produce from Italy and large slices of squash , and the artichoke and white sauce . The dough is made with a blend of two

flours — a local multigrain and an Italian variety — as well as sunflower and sesame seeds , and the flavor produced is unrivaled .

Don ’ t skip dessert — you can opt for strawberry marshmallow , matcha tapioca or coffee-flavored budinos ( an Italian-style custard ), but you ’ ll likely be most impressed with the wood-fired fruit . Choose from a caramelized banana , roasted rosemary grapes or pinot noir-poached pears , all heated in the oven .

And don ’ t worry that you ’ ll go thirsty . Serving only beer and wine , you can try sake cocktails , from the sparkling sangria to a Swiss margarita or passion fruit mule ; a number of European brews are also available . But there are great options if you ’ re looking for nonalcoholic beverages as well , from hibiscus-rose-blood orange tea and French press coffee to deliciously sweet lemonades in flavors like raspberry-orange or lavender and blueberry .

The variety and flavor that fills the simple menu at Skal Pizza is impressive to say the least . From the fresh produce to authentic techniques used to prepare each dish , you ’ re sure to find yourself heading back to try more . NBM

ASHLEY RYAN

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