Housed in a former coffee roaster and café, the space is industrial and airy, featuring large windows, minimalist interiors, and a few homey touches that capture the LA vibe. Exposed wooden beams frame the lively 40-seat dining room, which spills onto a spacious outdoor patio, attracting hopeful walk-ins through the open garage doors. The visible kitchen, where a wood-burning oven now stands in place of the old roasting machine, builds anticipation as diners watch expert pizzaiolos stretch fresh dough and inhale the enticing aromas of neo-Neapolitan-style pizzas blistering in the 800-degree oven.
The restaurant sticks to the tried-and-tested, award-winning original menu. Six deceptively simple signature pizzas form its backbone: classic margheritas and marinaras, the Wiseguy with wood-roasted onion and fennel sausage, the sought-after Rosa with red onion, piney rosemary, and earthy-sweet pistachios, Sonny Boy with salami and Gaeta olives, and the three-cheese Biancoverde with arugula. A modest selection of changing antipasti, salads, and pasta dishes complements these main attractions.
Known as one of the early trailblazers of the US new-wave artisanal pizza movement, Bianco continues to lead. Originally from the Bronx, Bianco moved to Phoenix in the mid-1980s and quickly gained recognition for his innovative approach to pizza-making. His commitment to using fresh, local ingredients and his skill in combining flavors and textures made him stand out as a pioneer. Since opening his debut restaurant nearly four decades ago, he has amassed a portfolio of pizzerias and bakeries, primarily in Phoenix. Bianco's influence extends beyond his restaurants, as he has mentored numerous chefs and contributed to the growth of independent pizzerias nationwide. His dedication to his craft was also highlighted in the 2022 season of Chef’s Table, on pizza, when he was featured as the first pizzaiolo in the series.
Pizzeria Bianco, Los Angeles, has been recognized with a Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide for its good quality cooking.
Bianco and his original Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix have won many accolades. In 2022, Bianco was awarded the James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurateur, further cementing his legacy in the culinary world. In 2023, Pizzeria Bianco was ranked fifth in the US by Top 50 Pizza; in 2024, The New York Times included Pizzeria Bianco in its list of the 22 best pizzerias in America, a testament to its enduring status in the culinary world decades after its debut.
