Bianelli's II

It can be heartwarming when a group truly "takes back the word", like African Americans did, with "word". Proving that "Hawaiian" pizza ain't got nothing to do with pineapples: Bianelli's II.

Run by a Del Mar native who spent 20 years in Kona and is now bringing some of its most revered 'za back home, BII dishes "Italian food served with the Aloha Spirit" (and no pineapple faux-"Hawaiian") in a Little Italy nook boasting bamboo place-mats, front patio seating, and a courtyard with a glassed-in central octagon, despite the fact that the only "ground and pound" there will be you fist-bumping with friends after finishing a delicious hamburger slice! Everything's made in-house daily (from sauce to dough), with specialty pies (available NY-style or deep dish) ranging from the garlic 'n herb sauced, buffalo mozz "Bianelli Buffala", to the mozz/ green pepper/ onion/ BBQ sauce "Barbecue Sirloin", to the "Gourmet Garlic" they nicknamed the "Anti Vampire", though it's pumped so full of the stuff, there's no chance you're getting any Sookie. Ever sensitive, they're also tossing ethnic numbers like the feta/ green olive/ green pepper/ onion "Greek" and the jalapeno/ sour cream/ cilantro "Mexican", all of which they recommend dipping in the sauces that made them "famous": a garlic vinaigrette, and a pizza gravy-esque, white wine mushroom/ marinara combo called their "Pink Sauce", which, considering he's not that famous, Carey Hart must be eating constantly.

Beer & wine's on the way, and real party animals can bring home ultra fresh pies they call "Take & Bake" -- also a mind-numbing activity that'll have you answering "word" to just about everything.