Santa Monica, CA. A favorite eat done pretty right. The smells of familiar Italian cuisine emanated from the storefront of this little shop. A pizza bar? What is this? The dim lighting, wooden interior, high-top and bar-seating options makes this a uniquely, nice addition to the streets of Santa Monica. My friend and I stopped inside and sure enough there was a pizza eatery at play.
My friend and I sat at the pizza bar to watch the pizzas being crafted with a close-up view of the pizza-making process. It was interesting to see staff focused on their work, despite the row of eyes watching their every move in preparation. In newer pizza spots, menus seem pretty slim and at this place it was no different: a one-pager. A pleasant manager approached our seat prior to ordering and gave us a few recommendations...funny enough our pizza choice fell on her list.
Bloomsdale Spinach White Pizza - was topped with crispy purple kale, young pecorino, cracked black peppercorn, and organic extra virgin olive oil. In essence, it's a white pizza with 'flare'. The crust was an excellent thickness and crispness and on its own tasty enough to dip in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar passed our way. Shortly after getting our pizza, one of the chefs saw us in 'devour' mode, and suggested we try a little chili oil to enhance the dish - nice spicy addition indeed. It was noted that the pecorino did seem to up the saltiness of the dish. However, the item was delicious still and a solid recommendation from the eatery's manager.
Bloomsdale Spinach White Pizza - was topped with crispy purple kale, young pecorino, cracked black peppercorn, and organic extra virgin olive oil. In essence, it's a white pizza with 'flare'. The crust was an excellent thickness and crispness and on its own tasty enough to dip in the olive oil and balsamic vinegar passed our way. Shortly after getting our pizza, one of the chefs saw us in 'devour' mode, and suggested we try a little chili oil to enhance the dish - nice spicy addition indeed. It was noted that the pecorino did seem to up the saltiness of the dish. However, the item was delicious still and a solid recommendation from the eatery's manager.
The pizza shop turned out to be a great new find. 'Watch the pizza and eat it too' is literally the model, as the pizza bar offers a great vantage for the pizza-making process. The service was friendly but not overbearing as staff would stop by and offer up something new gather a few thoughts. Though we stopped in for just a small bite, the looks of the pizzas being crafted and the smells in the air made it quite easy to return, glad we followed our nose!!
Stella Rossa Pizza Bar
2000 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 396-9250
