Feasting on an Italian Experience in Tujunga Village

Walk intand it suddenly feels like you’ve walked into a small bistro in Florence.  The smell of freshly baked dough from the kitchen make its way into the dinning area, comprised of a several wooden tables, and stools near the counter facing the kitchen.  The café’s atmosphere, with the enticing odors drifting from the kitchen and its casual dining ambiance, invites first time visitors to long time customers to stay, have a bite, and relax.

Caioti Pizza Café originally opened its doors at their location in Laurel Canyon.  Ten years ago, it moved to its current spot on Tujunga Village, and continues to serve its original brand of pizza, salads, and various entrées. 

Opened by renowned chef, Ed LaDou, Ciaoti’s offers three pizza styles: old world pizza, new world pizza, and New York style pizza.  Old world pizza is a thin crust pizza, imbued with Mediterranean flavors, such as their Pizzeta Antigua, Margherita, and Rustica.  New world pizza consists of contemporary ingredients such as smoked bacon, chicken, grilled eggplant, on a medium framed crust.  Their New York Style pizza represents their best version of an American Neapolitan classic with cheese, pepperoni and sausage, and pepperoni and     

Though pizza takes center stage on their menu, Ciaoti’s also serves salads, sandwiches, and a café fare menu that’s served after 4 p.m.  Some of the local favorites include the Chopped Salad Half, a concoction of romaine lettuce, olives, basil, pepperoni, mozzarella, chicken, and tomatoes, topped with Italian vinaigrette, and the lobster ravioli.

Though pizza takes center stage on their menu, Ciaoti’s also serves salads, sandwiches, and a café fare menu that’s served after 4 p.m.  Some of the local favorites include the Chopped Salad Half, a concoction of romaine lettuce, olives, basil, pepperoni, mozzarella, chicken, and tomatoes, topped with Italian vinaigrette, and the lobster ravioli.

On the weekends, they serve a breakfast menu from 9 a.m. to 2:30p.m.  The weekend menu consists items such as banana pecan pancakes, eggs benedict, corn beef hash, smoked Norwegian salmon, and a French scramble.

Each meal at Ciaoti’s starts with their freshly baked garlic knots---a roll of bread topped with garlic and butter.  A perfect way to start a unique dinning experience.  The service is always friendly, and you can be assured that Chef LaDou serves only the freshest ingredients to his customers.

Ciaoti Pizza Café is located at 4346 Tujunga Ave., Studio City 91604.  For more information, you can visit their website at.

( note: Ed LaDou passed away from cancer at the age of 52 in December 2007. The restaurant is now owned by his widow.LaDou was the original creator of the BBQ chicken pizza which he developed under Wolfgang Puck in San Francisco decades ago. He then brought it to CPK where he was one of the original owners.  Caioiti became famous when it was in Laurel Canyon for its "Theeeee Salad" which supposedly induced pregnancy when women were overdue. Pregnant women would flock there. There used to be journals at the restaurant with tales of women who went into labor because of the salad. Legend has it that it's something about the dressing.)