Is Quarter Sheets Pizza Club the Best Pizza in L.A.?
I received an urgent text in early June from my friend Jane Shin. “I just ate Quarter Sheets Pizza. Have you tried it yet?” I asked her to tell me everything, as I started to log it into my restaurant hit list.
My curiosity about the pizza grew in the following days while I coordinated a time that both my husband and I could stop in. We landed on a Friday afternoon for lunch and hoped the restaurant wouldn’t be packed. I performed my due diligence before our arrival and scoured their Instagram, studied the evolving Quarter Sheets menu developed by Chef Aaron Lindell, and read about the dessert-making talent at the hands of Chef Hannah Ziskin, who has been satiating local sweet tooths with her House of Gluten. She was the pastry chef at M.Georgina before it, unfortunately, closed due to Covid-19. Her resumé also includes California heavy hitters Chez Panisse and Bar Tartine.
We skipped breakfast that morning so we could arrive revved up for pizza. Upon opening the restaurant doors we were greeted by a friendly young hostess who was happy to engage with my many inquiries. She assured us that two slices per person would be plenty of food alongside the desserts we were equally psyched about ordering. Also known for their rotating selection of natural wines, we selected Orange Viognier and Rosso Frizzante to accompany our meal.
Is Quarter Sheets Pizza Club the best pizza in Los Angeles? I do not have the answer nor do these things matter to me anymore, but it is a question I legitimately asked myself when I walked out their doors. I usually prefer thin-crust pizza but QSPC had me rethinking my whole existence. I am excited to be a regular and eat as many of their creations as possible.
The Food
The menu is small and fluid, often a sign of an excellent restaurant. On our visit, five options of pizza slices were available. We selected two Silician Corners (vodka sauce, smoky eggplant, fior di latte, Calabrian chili, & pecorino), one Tomato Pie with burrata (red sauce, good olive oil, chili flake & basil), and a classic Pepperoni. Although my husband does not eat pork and I have minimized my intake of pig, pepperoni pizza is an all-time favorite of mine. I find it best served with a bottle of Coca Cola which I ordered in addition to the wine. Quarter Sheets serves a superb slice of pepperoni but it was the Silician Corners that blew me to pieces.
I can still remember the first bite. Saif and I shook our heads as we made an audible indication of pure pleasure. The smoky eggplant was a revelation. We were its newest converts. The combined flavors of the pizza were unlike any I had ever enjoyed before. At this moment, I knew we were experiencing a special meal. The bread was perfect. I began to wonder what magic was happening in the kitchen to create something so magnificent. Flashbacks of all the pizza slices that came before began to rush through my brain. I would never be the same again.
As the ultimate cake lover, I was eager to try the "Slab" Cake that I had previously seen on QSPC Instagram. Made with spiced honey chiffon, Blenheim apricot preserves, lemon verbena custard, and creme fraiche, the ingredients read like a blessed page from the heavens. The hostess remarked that we made an excellent choice but also drew our attention to the Dessert Special of the day, the Meyer Lemon Semifreddo, which she assured us was not to be overlooked. I am thankful she made that call out as this delectable dessert made with frozen Meyer custard, salty graham, creme fraiche, and slow-roasted peach was sublime.
The Scene
In my late teens and early 20s, I spent a lot of time on this block, hopping from Little Joy to Short Stop to the Gold Room. I have fond memories of late-night dancing under a disco ball, the tamale man, and free tacos on this stretch of Sunset Blvd in Echo Park. Quarter Sheets is a welcome addition when this city feels like it is being swallowed by corporate investors and Instagram aesthetic-focused cafés. Eating here reminded me of why I always loved Los Angeles. It’s a place where all people are welcome to pull up a seat and enjoy a slice. I appreciate the thoughtful attention to detail without any air of pretension.
Price & Service
Slices $5 - $7, Desserts $5 - $15, Natural Wine $14
Location
Quarter Sheets Pizza Club
1305 Portia St
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Open Thurs - Sun, check their IG for times
