Nardò West Hollywood

If you follow national pizza awards, you’ll be intrigued to hear that Nardò’s Neapolitan pies have won a few. They also get an imaginary gold star from us, too, with their sturdy bottoms, just-wet center, and crusts as soft as fine cashmere. Save for a solid grilled ribeye however, the rest of the menu at this white-marble Italian spot originally from Huntington Beach is fairly forgettable, like gnocchi ortolana overloaded with pesto and a salt-deprived seafood linguine. The good news is that pizza is still worth planning around. Sit on the breezy patio, sip an Aperol spritz, and stick with the simple pies. Follow this equation and Nardò works as a solid option on restaurant-packed West 3rd Street.

Food Rundown

Eggplant Parmigiana Bites

This stack of mini eggplant parms has a subtly spicy tomato sauce at the bottom, which is the most interesting thing about it. Skip unless you desperately need a snack before the pizzas arrive.

Artichokes Salad

If you require something raw and green with your meal, this haystack of arugula is a serviceable pick. The best part is the mix of artichokes and hearts of palm hidden inside.

photo credit: Nardò West Hollywood

Margherita

A standard, well-executed margherita. The puffy crust is so tender you can twist it like a handkerchief, and won’t fall apart. The pomodoro is tart, the mozzarella is evenly distributed, and there’s a salty kiss from the parmesan sprinkled on top.

Pistachio

The menu lists pistachio pesto on this white pie, but you could have fooled us. The mouthfuls of smoked mozzarella and thick-sliced mortadella that dominate are delicious, though. Prepare to fold each slice and eat it like a sandwich.

photo credit: Nardò West Hollywood

Linguine Tartine

We appreciate the al dente housemade squid linguine in this pasta dish, but the sauce tastes like someone spilled clam juice in bland pomodoro.

Rib Eye Steak

The best non-pizza thing at Nardo is this steak, cooked a spot-on medium-rare. The thin-cut fries are hot and crispy, and the chimichurri on the side packs a garlicky punch.

Tiramisù

It must be karma for the times we’ve complained about soggy tiramisù because the ladyfingers in this one are dry as a bone.