The name alone made Restaurant Buzz curious enough to try out this cheeky new pizza joint. As Purgatory Pizza’s saying goes, “Between heaven and hell there’s one heck of a pizza.”
Well, between the Industrial District and Boyle Heights is where you’ll find this relative newcomer, which shares the kitchen with Cakewalk Bakery and has taken over that shop’s dine-in storefront (the bakery now does catering only).
Purgatory opened in March, then closed almost right away for a lengthy revamp that brought in new management. Delivery started up again last month and has been making the rounds in a few of the residential buildings and watering holes Downtown – patrons at Bar 107 are known to order up a few pies.
The chef hails from Nicky D’s wood-fired pizza in Silver Lake, though here the simple menu sticks to half a dozen specialty pizzas and make-your-own versions with 17 toppings. There are no pasta dishes or calzones in sight, and the only additions include a simple green salad and four soft drink options.
Though you can now sit in or pick up, it’s just as easy to have it delivered, since it comes fast and hot. On a recent carb-induced evening, Restaurant Buzz ordered up three of their large specialty pies ($17.50 each): Dante’s Revenge, Terrestrial and Limbo. Purgatory’s claim to fame is its thin crust, which they dub “rustic.” While that may be a bit of a stretch, since most pizzas going by that description tend to come with slightly charred bits around the edges and a misshapen appearance, Purgatory manages to turn out a decent crust.
If you’re game enough to order from a pizzeria with a name like Purgatory, you’d better brace yourself for Dante’s Revenge – which comes fully loaded with pepperoni, chorizo, jalapeño slices, green peppers and a layer of their incendiary El Diablo sauce. You’re given fair warning that it’s spicy by the guy taking your order, but after consuming just one piece, it’s still a bit of a surprise when the sweat starts to bead on your forehead and seeps from the thin tissue under your eyes. It lives up to its name, but if you’ve got a stomach of iron, go for it.
The Limbo pizza is standard but very tasty with pepperoni, sausage, black olives and mushrooms. For vegetarians, the Terrestrial is topped with pesto, tomatoes, goat cheese and mushrooms. It borders on bland – at least compared to Dante’s. It could be improved with a bit more salt.
All in all, Purgatory is a nice addition to the Downtown pie. But if you order the Diablo Sauce, don’t forget to say your prayers.
At 1326 E. First St., (323) 262-5310 or eatpurgatorypizza.com. Open daily 5-10 p.m. Free delivery with $10 purchase.
A Fish ‘n’ Chips Revelation: Restaurant Buzz was tipped off to the much-improved menu at longtime Irish pub Casey’s. Looks like new chef Bart Allen has a passion for pub food. Our tipster reported on a spectacular lunch of fish and chips, which he promptly dubbed the best he’s ever eaten. Downtown bar owner Cedd Moses, who recently came on board as a managing partner, recommends the shrimp cocktail and Guinness beef pot pie paired with, what else, a hearty pour of Guinness. Jake Tringali has been hired as manager. At 613 S. Grand Ave., (213) 629-2353.
Double the Wasabi: After 16 years, high-end sushi restaurant R23 has taken over the adjoining gallery space next door to expand to twice its size – it can now seat 120. The new space includes another dining area and two private rooms for up to 25 people. There is also a new small sake bar and a revamped wine program (with consultation from the sommeliers at Learn About Wine). Located in an Arts District warehouse, R23 was Downtown’s first gourmet Japanese restaurant and continues to draw a wide clientele (including a few regular celebs). The minimalist brick-walled space still features its signature Frank Gehry-designed cardboard chairs. At 923 E. Second St., (213) 687-7178 or r23.com.
Small Bites: Restaurant Buzz has heard that British grocery chain Tesco is checking out Downtown for a new location. The company recently launched a slew of its Fresh & Easy stores across Los Angeles…. The longtime Industrial District eatery Central City Café has closed, with an as yet unknown venture replacing it…. Chef Antonio Chavez has joined the Wilshire Grand Hotel’s Cardini Ristorante, which is also sporting a new menu (Chavez was executive chef at Prego in Beverly Hills and Ciao Restaurant in San Francisco)…. Blue Velvet diners can now take advantage of the restaurant’s new shuttle that stops at five Downtown points including Staples Center and the Music Center…. As part of its environmental initiative, the L.A. Convention Center announced that its food outlets are 100% “green”…. Sports fans can now grab a slice of barbecue chicken pizza from the new California Pizza Kitchen restaurant in Staples Center.