L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele – Los Angeles

A gorgeous Italian courtyard, mosaic and bucolic, put that on the list of things Angeleans never tire of, and can shamelessly boast enjoyable all year long. When L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, of Eat Pray Love fame, first opened in Los Angeles, I did not pause. Dinner in that magnificent setting did not disappoint, nor did the legendary Margherita. So when I learned that they were launching brunch, well. That patio had me back in a hot heartbeat.

Baltic stone, bountiful greens, and a glass enclosed outdoor kitchen, those who don’t remember this terrace from its former Café de Artists days, will likely feel its familiarity from some Tuscan inspired dream. The iteration we can bask in today is still pretty new, just opened in spring of this year. But today. Today it was time for brunch.

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele Terrace
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele Terrace

Created by Executive Chef Antonio Giordano (formerly Gjusta, Terroni) the menus themselves are designed to delight – one for weekday breakfasts, one for weekend brunch. Intentionally abbreviated, both are devised to showcase Italian fare as fancied over a Lavazza latte (I went oat milk capp, he went almond milk latte). With the weekend brunch being slightly more extensive, both are a clinic in lavishing lingering meals with a side of Mediterranean mindset and a main of nowhere else to be.

For starters, the pastries. This is a place where you have to start with a pastry. Pain au chocolate, banana chocolate walnut bread, it all pairs deliciously with their coffee program which is taken as seriously as you would expect it to. Fresh pressed juices, too. We tried both the Forever Green (celery, cucumber, kale, ginger, apple) and the Immunity Shot (lemon ginger, turmeric, orange, apple). Both deliver a healthy zing, though the turmeric in the Immunity Shot was really a nice extra.

Fig Tartine
Fig Tartine

The Fig Tartine is standout. With the almond butter and fresh figs, it’s a luscious departure from the typical avocado, which they do well here as well. But I appreciate the variation. And the fig play. And the toasted almonds.

Breakfast pizzas are likely what most will leave musing about (Porchetta & Eggs: Bianca Pizza, broccolini, prosciutto cotto, sunny side up eggs), but there is much that is muse worthy. As a non-meat eater, they’re super accommodating when it comes to substitutions, which I love. Luke, our delightful server, didn’t want us to miss the cheese scone sandwich on account of the ham, so he brought us one without. And when I told them I wasn’t big on eggplant, they subbed with rapini in my veggie omelette. How I relish a little above and beyond. It is genuinely what separates the good experiences from the ones you are compelled to repeat.

Risotto
The Risotto

But beyond breakfast, and beyond brunch, the patio is yours. All the sensory splendour is ours to bask in, 8am-11pm. Sofas al fresco aside an outdoor fireplace. A sweep of café lighting. Wi-Fi. They welcome you to stay as long as you like. The front patio is decked in camo pillows and campfire scent, the back is olive trees and stone set seating. If you’re looking for a place to feel a bit more fall, a bit more friendly, and bit more laidback, try taking in a little Tuscany. Fortunately, it’s not as far as you think.

The Details

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, 1534 North McCadden Place, Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA.

Tel: +1(323) 366-2408

Website: https://damicheleusa.com

Email: info@damicheleusa.com

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is located north of Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, McCadden Place (1 block east of Highland) between Sunset and Selma. It is open Monday to Wednesday from 8:00am to 11:00pm; Thursday and Friday from 8:00am to midnight; Saturday from 9:00am to midnight and Sunday from 9:00am to 10:0pm.

Type of Restaurant: Italian Restaurant

Price Band: Medium

Insider Tip: Return a few times to experience both patios. Dinner and brunch at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele are both excellent and all the scenics are worth a trip. The back patio opens a little later than the front, so if you’re partial, plan accordingly.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8/10

Author Bio:

Jolie Loeb is a Luxury Lifestyle columnist based in Los Angeles.

Photographs by Rossella Pisano and Jolie Loeb

37 Comments

  1. Wait, what? I had heard about this place, but didn’t realize it was in the old Cafe des Artistes space. I love that courtyard! Marry that with your picture of the fig tartine, and I know where I’m having brunch this long weekend…

    • Ooooh, breakfast pizza sounds amazing! We will definitely have to check this place out next time we’re in Hollywood!

  2. I’ve been here for dinner and it was delicious, but I didn’t know they had a brunch. I can’t wait to try it, it’s next on the list for sure!

  3. Dear Author, Do you ever review any workout classes? I really need some help balancing out all this good eating you point me to. Oh wait. I’ll take the Immunity Shot. Now I’m good.

  4. WOW WOW WOW!!! These pics look straight out of Italy. I must go immediately. Booking my flight YYZ –> LAX now.

  5. All restaurants should pay you ridiculously to write reviews!This place looks particularly delicious! And I love a place that treats its customers like treasure.

  6. My mouth is watering reading this!!! The brunch sounds absolutely amazing!!! Love a new LA find!! Thanks for introducing us to what sounds like a gem!

  7. I love that a place with high curbside appeal also has a strong finger on high health options! I have to admit, although I read the book, I didn’t know/remember the actual Eat, Pray, Love cafe dé inspiration. I can’t wait to try!

  8. I love that space! So glad it’s been reimagined. I needed a new brunch spot, sounds like I might have found a great option. It all sounds delicious.

  9. Wow, thanks for another great find near me. Food looks delicious and the setting outside looks perfect. Love reading your reviews!

  10. I love pizza. I love egg. I love egg on my pizza (love squared)! Oh, always loved Cafe d. Artistes! The best of my youth mixed with the best of now. Thank you for a lovely review — it’s dusk, but I am ready for brunch!

  11. We have been looking for a new spot and your review makes us want to rush here right away! Thank you for our next brunch (and dinner) spot!

  12. Fall patio dining? In LA? I suppose if were willing to convince ourselves that we have weather we might as well get bought in 100%. Either way I’m sold on pizza for breakfast. Can I have cookies too?

  13. Doesn’t look like a difficult choice to try this place twice and then some! And that fig tartine is too beautiful! Once again,
    You have my mouth watering! Thank you for yet another stupendous recommendation.

  14. You had me at Fig Tartine. You consistently provide the most
    Delicious recommendations and I’m all about brunching!
    Thank you Jolie 🌺

  15. Wait a minute…….is this exactly what we’ve been searching for??? From the menu extraordinaire to the outside ambiance and charm plus in town location…could be our new go to spot has finally been found. My birthday is coming up and breakfast pizza will definitely be served!

  16. I was just talking about this place with some friends last night. Didn’t know they were open for brunch. Love it! Will definitely go now that you’ve described the deliciousness and patio beauty!

  17. The patio here is stunning and should be dined upon any day you can get there. We’d been there for dinner and loved it, so when we saw they had brunch, it was a no brainer to try. Everything we tried was delicious and fresh. I loved my avocado toast. Even though it was pretty simple overall, the lightly dressed arugula and tomato salad that came with it brightened the whole dish. The cheese scone egg sandwich is also definitely worth a try, as the author mentioned above. And the coffee, as you’d expect with Lavazza, is exactly what you need on a weekend morning. Definitely worth a try!

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