Mamma mia, Brentwood has a slice of Napoli and it’s called Pizzana! This is not your average pizza joint—this is Chef Daniele Uditi’s love letter to Naples, written in dough, sauce, and cheese. The famous “slow dough” rests for two days like a lazy Italian on holiday, and the result? A crust so light, so crisp, it practically sings O Sole Mio when you bite into it.

The place is co-owned by Candace Nelson (yes, the cupcake queen of Sprinkles) and Chris O’Donnell (Robin from Batman—holy mozzarella!), and it’s hotter than a wood-fired oven on a Saturday night. Only about 40 seats, so unless you like waiting longer than you do for your Italian grandma’s Sunday gravy, make a reservation.

We started with the Cesare Salad (their spelling, not mine)—and let me tell you, Julius Caesar himself would have traded Rome for this bowl. Little gem lettuce, fried capers (oh yes, fried!), Parmigiano, pizza croutons, and a Calabrian vinaigrette that deserves its own standing ovation. It’s hands down the best Caesar on the westside—fight me.

Now onto the pizzas, because mamma mia, where do I start? The First came the Cacio e Pepe pizza, which is basically Rome’s most iconic pasta reborn as a pie. Provoloncino d’Agerola, fior di latte, parmigiano crema, and a blizzard of cracked black pepper—simple, creamy, peppery perfection. And let’s not forget the Carnivoro pizza: San Marzano DOP, fior di latte, (cow’s milk mozzarella) pepperoni, Berkshire fennel sausage, prosciutto cotto, and basil. This is the Godfather of pizzas—big, bold, and a true meat-lover’s dream.

But Chef Daniele doesn’t stop at pizza. We twirled up the Pappardelle alla Bolognese, wide ribbons of pasta blanketed in rich beef ragù, San Marzano DOP tomatoes, parmigiano crema, and basil. Each bite was like a warm Nonna hug—comforting, generous, and impossible to stop eating. And of course, our go-to appetizer: the Polpette al Forno. Tender meatballs baked to perfection, with grilled bread just begging to soak up every last drop of sauce. Sharing? Forget it—I could eat the whole plate myself.

And just when we thought we were stuffed, along came the legendary chocolate olive oil cake. Moist, rich, and dangerously seductive—if this cake were a person, I’d marry it and move to the Amalfi Coast.

In short: come hungry, come early, and prepare to leave speaking Italian—even if the only word you know is delizioso!