maitaitom

OK, I sorta lied. Pizza Of Venice is actually in Altadena, but I like alliteration. I did not lie about the pizza paradise part, however.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/pizza-of-venice-altadena-ca/

Pizza Of Venice is just a little hole-in-the-wall place in a strip mall in Altadena, but it was fantastic. Their H.B.H. pizza (Habañero Mango Sauce, Mozzarella, Asiago, Ham, Red Onion, Bell Peppers and Fresh Cilantro) is, I believe, the best pizza I've ever eaten. Pizza Of Venice also has FREE CORKAGE! Bring a designated driver, baby!

There were six of us, and we split two starters, two huge salads and four (yes, FOUR) pizzas. Great value for great food.

Anyway, if you get the chance and are in the neighborhood, check this place out.

marvelousmouse

Looks fantastic! Adding that to my list, thanks

tracilee

Thanks Maitaitom! I rarely look at the U.S. forum, but my husband and I will be in the Pasadena area next week so I clicked over here to see if you had any recommendations. What a great surprise to see one posted today, I thought I'd have to do a little digging! We'll check this place out.

maitaitom

Hi tracilee,

Here's a few more recommendations in Pasadena and Los Angeles. These are nice, sit-down restaurant venues with great food. Factory Kitchen is my favorite place in L.A. (reservations are a must). Have a great trip.

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/altaeats-pasadena-ca/

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/gree...n-pasadena-ca/

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/fact...os-angeles-ca/

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/cele...na-ca-updated/

If you're just in the mood for great pizza in a hole-in-the-wall setting (or just to take-out), Pizza Of Venice is great.

marvelousmouse

Factory kitchen looks drool worthy! When you say, "never trust LA traffic" how long prior to dinner reservations should I leave to get there from Santa Monica?

maitaitom

Weekday or weekend?

Weekend, you could make it in 1/2 hour with no traffic.

Week Day…hopefully someone who makes that drive every day might chime in, but probably twice as long.

tracilee

Thanks for the other recommendations, maitaitom, I appreciate it!

tracilee

Just wanted to check back in to let you know that we ate at two of your recommendations - Pizza of Venice and also Maccheroni Republic and loved them both!

I had the mushroom pizza without sauce at POV and my husband had a meat combo - both were great, although we agreed that mine was better.

At Maccheroni Republic we split a bruschetta that was fabulous and a pear salad with a really light blue cheese dressing. I had the gnocchi and my husband had spaghetti and meatballs. Everything was wonderful but the bruschetta won top prize!

We also ate at Trattoria Amici in Glendale which was recommended by Guenmai on another thread. It was very good, too! Obviously, we love Italian food, the only non-Italian places we ate were Gladstone's near Malibu and In-N-Out (we still don't have one in Oregon!).

Thanks for the recommendations - you didn't steer us wrong in Paris or LA!

maitaitom

Phew…I always worry about recommending a place for people on a trip. Have never been to Trattoria Amici. It's now on my list. Take care and thanks for sharing…now I can sleep easier

tracilee

No worries with us, Tom. In fact, I don't think my husband will go to a restaurant unless it is maitaitom approved!

Iwan2go

Hi Tom, thanks for the Pasadena recommendations - we eat there all the time. Have you tried Racion, a Basque place on Green Street near Fair Oaks? We love it there. http://www.racionrestaurant.com

maitaitom

"Have you tried Racion, a Basque place on Green Street near Fair Oaks?"

I haven't, but it's now on my list. Thanks.