PIZZAS
BLACKBERRY PIZZA / NEAPOLITAN PIZZERIA & BIRRERIA
Traditional tomato sauce is replaced by a special blackberry sauce for a sweeter taste — but the fruit flavor doesn ’ t end there : This pie , from south Laguna pizzeria Neapolitan , also features a unique apricot ricotta . Large chunks of applewood smoked bacon and a pile of fresh arugula that has been tossed in lemon and olive oil are the final touches to this pizza , which is cooked in the restaurant ’ s wood-fired oven .
BIANCO BACON ROSEMARY PIZZA / WINE GALLERY
There ’ s something about a pizza with white sauce that pairs perfectly with a glass of wine . At Wine Gallery , the bianco bacon rosemary pizza features a thin layer of house-made white sauce , four different cheeses , Nueske ’ s bacon , shaved potatoes and red onion . After being cooked at 750 degrees in the restaurant ’ s wood-fired oven , it ’ s finished with fresh parsley and rosemary for an aromatic touch . Now all you have to decide is which wine to select .
ROCKPILE PIZZA / SLICE PIZZA & BEER
It ’ s an age-old debate : Does pineapple belong on pizza ? Slice says yes , offering a tasty pie covered in not only pineapple , but prosciutto , arugula , Parmigiano-Reggiano and ovalini mozzarella as well — all on a base of organic tomato sauce . Named for the north Laguna beach just steps from Heisler Park , this quintessential pizza captures the essence of our beach town with its curated toppings and balanced flavor .
PESTO BURRATA PIZZA / ZINC CAFE
It ’ s as if you ’ re eating straight from the garden when you bite into this pizza from Zinc Cafe . Fresh flavors abound thanks to roasted tomato , fresh
spinach and baby artichokes , which are placed atop the crust after it ’ s brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt . Large chunks of burrata , a layer of pesto ( rather than red sauce ) and chile flakes complete the dish . “ What ’ s nice with the burrata is that it creates a pop of fresh cheese rather than a pizza covered in melted cheese ,” says owner John Secretan . “ The toppings really come through .”
LOUISIANA HOT CHICKEN PIZZA / FINNEY ’ S CRAFTHOUSE
A bit of spice is just the ticket when it comes to selecting the perfect pizza , and spice is something that Finney ’ s has definitely mastered . “ Hot chicken is a food style that is currently ‘ in ’ and we thought , instead of a Nashville hot chicken , we would make a Louisiana Hot Chicken Pizza instead ,” says Eric BosRau , the brand ’ s corporate executive chef . The pizza crust is layered with the chicken , shaved garlic , red and green onions , pickled cherry peppers and Finney ’ s own cheese blend , plus a Louisiana hot ranch .
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT : JD DAWN ; COURTESY OF WINE GALLERY /@ LBWINEGALLERY ; AMBER PRUITT MONTGOMERY ; ASHLEY RYAN
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