Maximiliano

Maximiliano (5930 York Blvd., Highland Park; 323.739.6125) is a casual, Italian spot opening up tomorrow. Decorated with red & white walls hinting at thrown spaghetti sauce, this spot is serving up thin crust pizzas, like specialty ones topped with eggplant (me fav), roasted peppers, olive tapenade, burrata & basil. Try the fingerling potatoes, spinach, sweet roasted garlic, ricotta, mozzarella, & reggiano pizza or the Bianca-Verde with three cheeses, garlic, arugula, and preserved lemon. They also have house made tagliatelle with bolognese, cavatelli with pancetta, local squid, light tomato sauce & bread crumbs and pan-roasted pork chop with sweet potato puree, cipollini onion, and a gastrique of sour orange. Wash it all down with a wine list of specialty, limited Italian wine.