When does Lucali open in Miami and where?
Just reading NY magazine and noticed pizzeria Lucali is said to open in Miami. Does anyone know when and where that would be?
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CFByrne
Jun 5, 2013 06:15 PM
Finally made it to Lucali, Saturday June 1.
We arrived at 7PM and were greeted and seated promptly by the hostess. I needn’t have worried about lines or waiting, the place was actually very quiet. I think of the ten or so tables scattered throughout, perhaps 3 or 4 were occupied.
The hostess, waitress, and a manager who stopped by our table, all made for a pleasant experience.
While I freshened up after a harrowing drive from Marlins Park, my wife ordered the Fennel Salad ($9) and the Artichoke Hearts ($8, said to be from Italy I believe).
The hearts were spectacular, but the salad was the only miss of the night IMO. As far as I recall it was simply julienned fennel, arugula, red onion, and a very mild vinaigrette. It was fresh, plain, simple – but just not anything remarkable or especially notable or memorable.
With all that already ordered, getting both the calzone and a pizza seemed too much, so we got the plain pizza. It was fantastic as expected. And it is a very large pizza. Even with the large crust, we polished it all off.
Breaking news: The plain pizza price is now $24!
In the past month I’ve been fortunate to enjoy Roberta’s pizza in Brooklyn, Pizzeria Oceano in Palm Beach, Schuola Vecchia in Delray (essentially, a Keste close), and now Lucali.
Of the three non-classic-Neapolitans, I would rate Roberta’s #1, followed by PO and then Lucali. But it is very very close and if I had each again, I might just completely flip those.
Finished off the evening with an wonderful dessert - a pasty topped with nutella and filled with some sort of ricotta mixture.
Interestingly, when we left at 8PM the store was still not nearly full (there was a good takeout business going on though). As we went to our car, we passed PB and PB Sushi and they were slammed out the doors.
I did not care for the “resort tax” (what resort? Is this typical?) added to our bill, even if it was just $1.28.
Nor the 16.5% service charge also automatically added to our bill. I almost missed that, and if I had, and then tipped my usual 20% and then noticed that later, I would have been very annoyed.
Billing issues aside, overall, I thought Lucali was outstanding, the room is beautiful, service and food excellent.
I am eager to go back and try more pizza, and the calzone and the nutella pizza dessert!
Photos attached:
View of kitchen from dining room
The boys making pies
Fennel salad
Artichoke hearts
Plain pizza
DessertAnd just for kicks:
Roberta's Bee Sting Pizza
Pizzeria Oceano Plain Pie›3 Replies
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re: CFByrne
I believe the resort tax is charged at all Miami Beach eateries, the restaurants don't have a choice in the matter. The service fee is a restaurant decision, but seems to have become pretty ubiquitous on the beach due to the number of European tourists who aren't used to tipping. Still, I think some restaurants do a better job than others of informing customers that gratuity was already included.
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re: ajh05004
Frodnesor
Jun 6, 2013 02:29 PM
I have noticed an increasing number of restaurants that separately itemize either the Miami-Dade or the Miami Beach "tourist" or "resort" taxes (2%) in addition to Florida sales tax (6%) on the bill. No, they do not have a choice in whether to collect this.
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CFByrne
May 30, 2013 07:16 PM
Anyone been here lately? How is the wait?
I'm thinking of going Saturday, after 4PM Marlins game. So that would likely mean 7:30PM arrival.
I know SoBe can be "late" to heat up. But any idea on what I can expect around then?
Alternate plan, go at 2PM before game. Would prefer later, but I imagine this would be one of the quieter times.
Thoughts? TIA
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re: taiga
CFByrne
May 31, 2013 01:40 PM
Hah! I have other plans for the ballpark!
Tentative day's schedule:
Pregame: Pan con minuta and more at La Camaronera.
Game: Pork sandwich at Papo llega y pon
Postgame: Pizza and Calzone at Lucali
As you can see, this game is largely an excuse for a Drive Down to Miami and Eat All Saturday Long adventure.
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CFByrne
Apr 15, 2013 06:54 AM
According to their Facebook page, the hours are now firming up...
"Our hours aren't as "soft" as they used to be. Hours this week are:
TUESDAY THROUGH FRIDAY : 6pm - 12am
SATURDAY & SUNDAY: 1 pm - 12am"This was from March 21 and no further updates since, at least not on FB... If anyone has addtl info... please add... may be heading here this weekend...
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I heard the south beach location will have a full bar and specialize in bourbons -- just a rumor and and if it is true it will probably be some time after it first opens.
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re: MelisaG
We will see. I am excited too. They are saying by the end of this month. I think it will be by the end of December. Things are moving quickly there though...
Apparently the oven there was hand built by them and is touted as a more advanced version of the original (also hand built by them).
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re: tpigeon
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re: tpigeon
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re: tpigeon
One more thing. Mark (who makes the pizza's) goes back to Brooklyn today. Today is the first day someone other than Mark will be making pizzas and calzones (this may be true in the entire history of either Lucali location). This is why I have refrained from talking about it myself until CF's post.
You really don't know what is going to happen until you try it. Which I am going to do tonight btw...
Mark apparently has a longer term plan of coming down one day/week.
That is one hell of a commute...
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re: The Chowfather
non sequitur
Mar 1, 2013 10:32 AM
Did you get in?
There was a mouth-watering background and story that made me wish I was "friend or family":
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re: tpigeon
Blind Mind
Mar 3, 2013 05:47 PM
First impressions...
Sauce is awesome, tons of flavor. Dough is chewy. Too chewy for me. No crunch to it really. Crust had some nice bubbles but still chewy. Definitely a different style of pizza compared to other places down here. Pizzeria Oceano beats this place handily but after one visit I'd say it's pretty solid. Need to give it a few more tries to see how the dough/crust holds up on other visits.
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re: Blind Mind
I would not describe mine as chewy on Saturday, but it was certainly less crispy than Friday (but not worse in my opinion). They are still playing around with the pies. I think Saturday's pies had more sauce and cheese than Friday's. I did not mind this, but it may have caused it to be less crispy.
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re: tpigeon
non sequitur
Mar 4, 2013 10:36 AM
TP: We must have crossed paths: I was there Saturday at 6pm, must have had the first pie of the day, and I would echo your description
I haven't met a pizza I didn't like (well ONE: Jerry & Joes in the spot that now has yummy Kings County), but Lucali was the best I've had in South Florida, and certainly equal to anything I've had in NYC. I haven't been to Oceano in FL, or Keste in NYC, but I've had quite a few of the other "greats".
I was able to have the calzone also, which I HIGHLY recommend. At $10 I would absolutely have this if I were stopping in alone - it was a phenomenal deal.
I'm happy they take credit cards, but I wish the BYOB policy were imported from NYC (or a $5 corkage fee?).
All in all, it was fantastic, and I envy friends of mine that live across the street: 3 pubbelly places and now Miami's best pizza. I'd even consider an investment property in the area just based on the food!
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re: non sequitur
Blind Mind
Mar 4, 2013 10:04 PM
You reminded me of something I'd not thought of much at first...
1 mushroom pizza, 1 Cigar City Florida Cracker Ale, 1 Sprite, tax, tip = $45?
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re: SobeChower
Pricing is steep for pizza but it is really good. I think it is $28 for a margherita.
The calzone is pretty filling, is excellent (I like it as much as the pizza) and is $10.
I have not gotten toppings yet, so I can't say the price. Can't leave margherita land...
In context of pizza, it is expensive. In context of what you would pay for excellent food, not so much. You can get full on excellent food here for much less than other places charge for their food (excellent or not).
You would almost certainly have to pay more (considering travel, your time, etc.) to get a better pizza if you live near or in Miami.
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re: taiga
To each their own. I am not apologizing. I am setting context.
I guess that also means the $29 oxtail ramen at Momi is too expensive too because people in Japan say so. Well, I can't get near as good a bowl of ramen anywhere else, so I will keep paying...
If you don't want to eat these dishes because it offends your sensibilities, fine. More for us.
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re: tpigeon
Blind Mind
Mar 6, 2013 07:08 PM
Fair argument, TP. But I have to believe there's a significant difference ingredient-wise between what's in that ramen and what's on that pizza. Comparing Lucali margherita to Scarpetta spaghetti probably more accurate.
Lucali was a good pizza. I don't think it's as awe-inspiring as TP and Chowfather do but I also don't profess to be a "pizza expert". I need to go back a few more times with hopes of a better dough/crust performance to really form an opinion. I definitely want to try that calzone too because I really liked the sauce and saw it comes with a nice side of sauce.
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re: taiga
I agree. $28 for a margherita pizza is insulting -- especially when you can go to Harry's and get an incredible pizza with short rib (for example) for $16. You could go to Rosa Mexicana and get two Margaritas for that price (please don't bash me for bringing up R.M. on this site -- it was a joke/comparison). Other things you could have for $28.00 or less:
Order of medium stone crab claws at Joe's
3 course lunch at Milos
2 pizzas at Harry's
Leg of Lamb + Bibb Salad @ Michael's
Dinner for 4 (3?) at Shake Shack
. . . you get the idea . . .You could make the argument that a Margherita pizza could feed 2 people (are they that big?) and one order of mediums would feed one. However, I think you have to consider the average price of other similar items. If you feel like stone crabs, you know you are going to have to pay $25+ in a restaurant. For even "gourmet" pizza, $28 is so much higher than any reasonable alternative.
As TP states - to each their own. I consider myself open to spending money on good food; but I have to draw the line somewhere. How are they going to make it with those prices?!
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re: BigBonesBradley
They seem to be doing just fine...
edit. The new times doesn't think the pricing is so offensive...
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re: tpigeon
taiga
Mar 7, 2013 11:44 AM
I would like to try Lucali, but I think I must buy the carbon offset for the hand-polished San Marzanos if I am going to contribute the $28 and sleep well.
As far as Momi's $29 oxtail ramen, this is more complicated. In my years there and recent travels, I have never heard of such a price point for ramen. It's always $10 or less. On the other hand, $29 for a meal in Japan, where everyone routinely drops the equivalent of a hundred or two, would be a bargain. I won't try Momi however, because I'm going to Japan soon and prefer to slum with the 850 yen crowd.
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re: dlgc809
I'm still having trouble getting to $60. It sounds like you tipped twice or I'm really bad at math.
$26 for pizza + $12 for toppings + 3.50 for diet coke = $41.50 + 7% sales tax ($2.91) + 2% resort tax ($.83) + 18% included service charge ($7.47)
Grand Total = $52.71
There is no argument that the pizza at Lucali is expensive, but not nearly as expensive as your post indicates. Also, the artichoke hearts are double the price of every other topping.
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re: tpigeon
Blind Mind
Mar 12, 2013 02:18 PM
So it's basically a baked grilled cheese sandwich that you dunk in sauce? I thought it would've had sauce inside already like a normal calzone. Weird.
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re: Blind Mind
Miss Needle
Mar 14, 2013 06:11 AM
I've never seen a calzone with sauce inside in NYC. It's either no sauce or tomato sauce on the side.
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re: Miss Needle
Blind Mind
Mar 14, 2013 06:45 AM
I suppose maybe youre right. Living in Miami, it's been a long time since I had a calzone.
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re: Blind Mind
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re: tpigeon
The Chowfather
Mar 17, 2013 01:41 AM
TP, Best calzone I've ever had. Not even close. and I'm not even including the side of sauce...wow!
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re: The Chowfather
Ok. You, know what's really good? Before going to Lucali, get high quality ham slices (fancy spanish or italian of your choice is just fine..) to go at any of the following:
Fresh Market, Sardinia, Barceloneta
Bring it to Lucali and have them make the calzone with the ham. No need for sauce then. That is a calzone...
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re: tpigeon
Just had the nutella pizza there and it was outstanding. Far superior to the dessert calzone. Be warned that the pie size is the same 20 inch pie that the regular pies are (for now, I think they will reduce the size -- just too intimidating for most people). Unlike the regular pie, it is so rich that the vast majority of people who try to eat a slice will probably not finish it, so the pie literally feeds 8.
The pie costs $15.
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re: tpigeon
Miss Needle
Mar 18, 2013 12:05 PM
Funny, the Brooklyn location has ham on the menu for calzones. Maybe there are regional differences on the menu -- or they haven't found a good supplier yet.
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1930 West Avenue in Sobe, right next to Barceloneta. I was told 6 months but I would give it until the end of the year. Glad it was finally confirmed.
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