When Julia Roberts’s character indulged in a whole pizza Margherita at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele in the film adaptation of Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir “Eat, Pray, Love,” that scene put the Naples-based pizzeria on the map.

But foodies no longer need a passport to experience this famed slice of Italy.

In early to mid-May, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is slated to open its first U.S. location at 1534 N. McCadden Place in the former home of Café Des Artistes in Los Angeles, which couldn’t be more apropos.

“Clearly a pizzeria that was featured in a Hollywood movie would not have a better result than being in Hollywood,” said Francesco Zimone, the 45-year-old Neapolitan designer turn first-time restaurateur who has called Los Angeles home for the last 20 years.

The L.A. location isn’t a replica of the original pizzeria where the decor is dated and only pizza Margherita and marinara are offered on the menu. It was designed to look like a modern California home with seamless indoor and outdoor spaces for people to gather and enjoy a more expanded menu by chef Michele Rubini, known as the head pizzaiolo.

Rubini’s menu includes pizza using the same ingredients found in the original recipe, plus a few appetizers. Cheese and meat boards, as well as a wide selection of wines, are also in the works.

And Zimone doesn’t want to stop there.

He plans to introduce pasta dishes and vegetable appetizers, as well as the Neapolitan-style breakfast to the restaurant he envisions serving as a sort of Italian piazza.

“I want you to come with your computer, with your book; sit down; get a coffee; get dinner; meet like-minded people,” he said. “I don’t want you to feel like you’re coming for a specific reason.”