I‘m always excited to hear about new arrivals to any dining scene, and when I got wind of one of San Diego’s finest coming to El Segundo, I was anxious to give it ago.
I wasn’t familiar with Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill, already with 17 locations throughout California and Nevada, but I’m a big fan now. Owner Sami Ladeki, is an elegant man, and his worldly finesse permeates the wide range of items on the menu. Inside, you’ll find a variety of woodfired pizzas, salads, entrees, tapas, desserts, and everything in between. A big hooray for those items that are organic and gluten-free.
This is a fun place, full of activity and conviviality. It’s family friendly, yet the food is interesting enough to appease discriminating diners as well. There’s a nice global fusion to the food with enough twists and turns to keep my two dining companions and me endlessly enthused.
Our starters included their Polynesian Crab Stack ($13) easily enough for three people to share, with its cylindrical rainbow of mango, pea shoots, crab, organic cucumber, tomato, red onion, avocado, and peanuts, all laced with a spicy ginger lime dressing. Voila!
We also enjoyed their Chicken Lettuce Cups ($10) mixed with a medley of scallions, water chestnuts, and a black bean hoisin sauce. I liked these lettuce cups even better than the ones served at PF Changs, a nearby popular Chinese restaurant chain. Both tapas were delightful, and certainly curbed our appetites until the main courses arrived.
Salmon lover that I am, I was very impressed with their Oak Roasted Salmon Filet ($15), coupled with a frisee salad, cucumber, edamame and ponzu sauce. I was feeling oh-so-healthy with each bite, and the presentation was a visual treat as well.
My pal ordered their one of their Neapolitan pizzas. The Tuscan ($12), came with prosciutto, artichoke, kalamata olives, fresh mozzarella, homemade tomato sauce and topped with organic arugula and extra virgin olive oil. Again, this was a very healthy menu item, and went over well at our table.
Another winner was the Ahi Tartare & Avocado, ($15) with organic frisee, organic spinach, red onion, edamame, roasted red bell pepper and ginger dressing. I didn’t sample it, but I did put it on my list to try the next time I visit.
For dessert, we received a huge hive of pink cotton candy, dusted with chocolate. It took me way back to my grammar school days. Kids will love it!
I like this place. Almost everything on the menu is under $15, and this economy, that’s a winning combination. Couple this with the free parking and adjacency to Borders and Whole Foods, and you can see that this place is destined for success.
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill
780 South Sepulveda Blvd. (Across from Borders at Plaza El Segundo)
El Segundo, CA. 90245
(310) 335-9999
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