I think there might be a reason most of the neutral or positive reviews of Olio Pizzeria focus mainly on breakfast. Their overhyped pizza crust tastes like english muffins. And, unfortunately, it's not quite Thomas'.

It's a tiny restaurant – in a neighborhood pizza parlor way, not a candlelight date kind of way. Not that there's anything wrong with pizza parlors. I am borderline obsessed with Vito's and sitting at a sidewalk table at Village Pizzeria on Larchmont always puts me in a great mood. But Vito's and Village won't empty your wallet and their locations don't force you into shelling out for valet (a completely ridiculous thing to do if you're going out for a slice). At Olio, dinner for two cost almost as much as dinner for two at Sushi Ike.

If I'm going to part with my hard-earned cash, I want ambiance, flattering lighting and food that's so good it makes you want scream out to the gods; not mediocre pizza with pretentious toppings served on a relatively undesirable street corner on plain old, boring white plates. And I definitely don't want sparkling water and coffee to be my only drink options. Although it might be equally acidic, Intelligentsia is no replacement for a tall glass of beer.

Olio Pizzeria
8075 West 3rd St., Ste. 100 Los Angeles, CA 90048
Phone: (323) 930-9490

Vito's Pizza
846 N. La Cienega Blvd. LA 90069
Phone: (310) 652-6859

Village Pizzeria
131 N. Larchmont @ Beverly Blvd.
Phone: (323) 465-5566

Maia Harari is a writer and choreographer, born and raised in Los Angeles. You can follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/maiacalypso

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