Izza Pizzeria

Izza Pizzeria
By Bonnie Small

Top-shelf toppings will never make a pizza great unless they sit atop a fabulous foundation. Depending on where you’re from, you may have been raised on the purity of a Neapolitan style thin crust or the high rising Chicago style pie, but either way, when it comes down to good pizza, it’s all about the crust.

San Clemente’s Izza Pizzeria is branching out from its singular focus on Neapolitan style pizza to embrace dough diversity. New owner, and Chicago native, Ron Gelet has upped the ante and now offers New York Style crust and his own signature deep dish Numero Uno pizza alongside the super simplicity of the Neapolitan style.

The individual-sized Numero Uno pizza is the house specialty and one bite will reveal the reason – the thick, sweet crust is dabbed with a light tomato sauce, cheese, and two additional toppings of your choice. Fresh from the oven to the table, this compact pizza proves that the best things do come in small packages. I recommend taking an extra one home for a midnight snack by the glow of the refrigerator light.

The sky’s the limit for New York or Neapolitan crust lovers – you can design your own creation or choose one of the chef’s artisan creations like the Rugula (prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, arugula, and tomato sauce) or step outside the pizza box and try the Cal Italia – Croatian fig preserves, mozzarella and blue cheeses, prosciutto, shaved parmigiano, nicely finished with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Chef Remiel showcases his pasta skills with daily specials like Shrimp Ravioli with gorgonzola cream sauce or the portobello mushroom ravioli with a rich demi-glace. And save room for dessert because the cheesecake and caramel budino topped with freshly whipped cream are both house-made and home runs.

Izza loves supporting local schools and organizations by hosting fundraising events and donating a portion of meal prices to their causes. Wine lovers can treat themselves and stop in on Thursdays for 50% off bottles of wine!

Izza Pizzeria
376 Camino de Estrella • San Clemente
949.248.4925 • IzzaPizzeria.com