Richard Paek recently launched a stylish pizza company called Lovebug Pizza with corporate chef/operations director Kevin Smith. Their first outpost is at Topanga Willows Shopping Center in Woodland Hills and specializes in delivery service using Volkswagen bugs, though you can eat on-site at a counter. 

Kevin says they’re working to build “a brand for delivery that’s a little bit more upscale, made fresh daily. Their motto is “California Freshness Delivered.” The space features a red awning, four metal stools at a counter that bookends the front door, and wall-mounted menu. Order at a counter that tempts customers with Rice Krispies treats and brownies.

Kevin met Richard three years ago, and they clicked on a “chef-inspired, high-quality food delivery business utilizing the freshest/cleanest possible ingredients and the most cutting-edge logistics technology including preheated delivery bags.” According to Kevin, the name “captures the fun, family, California sunshine vibe we were looking for!”

Lovebug Pizza debuted in Woodland Hills because of proximity to so many family homes, due to catering opportunities with nearby businesses, and since neighboring Starbucks draws so much food traffic.

The menu, of course, features pizza. Classic toppings include margherita (garlic, tomato, and basil), Hawaiian (ham and pineapple) and pepperoni. Lovebug Pizza offers chef specials like Buffalo Chicken with chicken breast, onion, cilantro, bleu cheese and spicy Buffalo sauce; Butcher’s Favorite with pepperoni, meatballs, sausage, ham and smoked bacon; and Mighty Mushroom with portabello and button mushrooms, roasted garlic, Parmesan, Alfredo sauce and white truffle oil. The menu also features six salads and sides like baked wings, meatball sliders and cheesy garlic bread.

Kevin explains what else distinguishes Lovebug Pizza from other pizzerias, saying, “As a chef, I am extremely discerning about what goes into my food. Every ingredient is sourced meticulously, even down to details like where the sea salt comes from. We are doing everything a little better! Our dough, pizza sauce and most of our menu are prepared fresh in-house daily. The pizza sauce is made with sun-ripened California tomatoes with over 1 pound of fresh herbs and extra virgin California olive oil in each batch. We use non-GMO, local and organic wherever possible. Our meats are very clean labels with things like antibiotic-free/hormone-free chicken breast and nitrate-free/nitrite-free gourmet pepperoni available. We also offer lots of vegan and gluten-free options, great appetizers and salads. We even have a grain-free crust offering that I developed using local almond flour, arrowroot and tapioca flour, which is suitable for Paleo diets.”

4902 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, 818-805-9313