Pizzeria Mozza Newport Beach Opening?

[josephnl]

Not that I'm a huge fan of Pizzeria Mozza, but I live rather near the supposed location of the Newport Beach restaurant which is supposedly opening soon...but, I've heard nothing about it in about six months. Are they still going to open on PCH in Newport? Any idea when??

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Pizzeria Mozza
641 N. Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036

[cdmedici]

I pass by the construction everyday and it looks to be progressing pretty quick. I would guess completion by Fall. FYI...Pizza e Vino will be opening a Newport Beach location in the Fall.

[Searching4Dunny]

Yes, they are still heading down here. There have been some delays but last I heard (from a good friend who works at Mozza and will be one of the ones in charge of opening the new OC location) it will be opened sometime this fall. We will see what happens.

[dinedelish]

cool! this is great news. I was just at Newport too!

[Porthos]

Just had dinner at P.Mozza. For what it's worth one of the bartenders confirmed that plans are for a fall open but in reality "it's probably looking more like a happy new year."

[Funwithfood]

Great, something to look forward to!

[josephnl]

In the meanwhile, try the pizza at ECCO on Bristol in the Camp. I think they're excellent...and easily accessible without the traffic, attitude and crowds of Mozza!

[apple7blue]

Will do Josephnl

[Porthos]

Keep in mind that Josephnl is not impressed by the pizza at Mozza or Ortica and apparently feels that Ecco has "excellent" pizza.

I'm in the camp that feels Ecco is pretty average and not even in the same game much less the same league as Mozza or even Ortica.

[josephnl]

You are absolutely correct. I especially dislike Ortica's pizza. I think Porthos and I have agreed to politely disagree, at least when it comes to pizza!

Curious to know what you think of the pizza at Pizza e Vino in Rancho San Marg...have you tried it?

[reality check]

Been to Mozza 2-3 times and I wasn't blown away but it. I often wonder if the owner wasn't a celebrity chef, if people would rate it as highly.

[honkman]

I couldn't care less if the chef is a celebrity or not but the pizza at Pizzeria Mozza is outstanding (dough) with high quality and creative toppings. Their appetizers are also very good and similar to something I get in Italy. Pizzeria Ortica has a slightly different pizza style but is also very good. (pizza and appetizers)

[Porthos]

Have not tried Pizza e Vino but as I understand it, it is pretty authentic neapolitan style pizza. The clueless yelpers complaining about the "soggy middle" makes me chuckle since that's the same complaint they have about Ortica. Will definitely give it a try sooner than later.

How did you like Pizza e Vino?

[Porthos]

Photos of Pizza e Vino, Ortica, and Ecco in that order. One of these is not like the others.

(Courtesy of Yelp)

[josephnl]

Call me "clueless", but I love the pizza at Pizza e Vino, but not that at Ortica. Although the center of the pizza may not be crispy at PeV as is often the case with Neopolitan pizza, it does not have a raw, soggy dough center as has been served to me more than once at Ortica.

[josephnl]

Just FYI, not that Orange Coast Magazine is necessarily an authority, but in their recent OC pizza poll, Pizza e Vino, Nello, and Il Dolce came in 1, 2 and 3, ECCO came in 6, and Ortica came in 8. Which pizza is best is largely subjective. Each of us is obviously entitled to his opinion.

[reality check]

Not that, that other review site is an authority either, but Pizza e Vino, Nello, and Il Dolce all got 3 to 3 1/2 stars.