Antico Pizza Open in Miami for National Pizza Day
Giovanni Di Palma, famed New York-bred pizza maker and owner of the celebrity favorite restaurant group in Atlanta, has opened Antico Pizza in Miami Beach just in time for National Pizza Day on Thursday, February 8. Di Palma’s classic Neapolitan pizza is considered by many as the best in the USA, (ZAGAT gave the pizza a 28, highest rating ever for a pizza restaurant).
Taking over a bakery in a derelict neighborhood in Atlanta in 2009, DiPalma opened a takeout/counter pizzeria that instantly struck a chord with residents. Expansion became mandatory, with lines out the door, and in time he took over adjacent spaces, creating a neighborhood of restaurants that Atlantans dubbed their own “Little Italy.”
Celebrities took notice, and soon a mix of rappers and Hollywood types began coming by to make pizza with Gio and enjoy his award-winning pies. Jeezy, Usher, Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell, Snoop Dogg, Ed Sheeran, Paul Rudd, Ludacris, Gabrielle Union, Selena Gomez, Jamie Foxx, DJ Khaled, Rita Ora and Tom Hanks have all been to Antico Pizza in Atlanta; many on a regular basis.
Looking to expand outside Atlanta, Di Palma spent a long time searching for the perfect venue to house his brand in his first foray to another city. Inspired by Miami’s reputation as a growing culinary town, with a strong celebrity culture and its reputation as a world class city, he decided to open in the heart of South Beach, bringing the ten classic pies, as well as some of his most popular wood-fired Salerno panuozzos, and take-out and delivery options for his equally beloved Gio’s Chicken to Miami.
Opened quietly in December 2016, the large high-ceilinged space features a soundtrack heavy on Italian opera and Frank Sinatra, Italian posters and décor elements repurposed from Italian restaurants from Naples to New York. The menu features ten pizzas all made with imported Italian ingredients. Prices range from $19-22. Pizzas are made in special ovens that compress the time from ordering to service down to just a few minutes.
At the top of the list are the award-winning San Gennaro -salsiccia, dolce picante pepper, bufala, cipolline, and white pizzas like the Pomodorini with fresh cherry Vesuvian tomatoes, bufala, garlic and basil. Gio’s Famous Italian salad, topped with his proprietary Sorrento lemon vinaigrette, are also on the short but sweet menu.
Additionally five panuozzos, wood-fired Italian sandwiches, ($13-14) served on freshly baked ciabatta are on offer – including Chicken Parmigiano, Polpette (Italian meatballs), Caprese and Siciliano (tuna) but the standout signature sandwich is the Porchetta. Italian roast pork, rapini and melted provolone, pressed on ciabatta is the sandwich that dreams are made of.
Pizzettas are also available from the counter or on the street from the restaurant’s busy pizza window; where guests can line up for one of four different single size versions available for grab and go daily. A great selection of Italian wines, beers and soft drinks are available.
Antico Pizza, open seven days a week, also serves breakfast pastries daily from 8 AM; serving pizza from 11:30 AM until late night Monday through Friday; and from noon on Saturdays and Sundays. No substitutions are allowed. Pies specially developed for delivery are in the works and coming soon.
Gio’s Chicken will also be available – but only for takeout, delivery and private parties onsite. Again, wildly popular in Atlanta, Gio’s Chicken menu features both on and off the bone selections – with an emphasis on simplicity. With single portion and family-style sizing ($21/55), the chicken has become a favorite of the music entertainment industry and the NBA.
Sorrento Lemon is most popular, simply prepared on the bone; moist and tender with lemons, garlic, wild oregano, and olio di olive. Other popular preparations include the Amalfi – Castelvetrano olives, cipolline, olio di oliva, and garlic; and the Diavola – with heat coming from the Calabrian pepperoncini, garlic, crushed pepper and olio. All are accompanied by crispy focaccia and perfectly cooked potato wedges, as well as Gio’s Famous Dinner Salad.
Caffe Antico a private nook at the rear of the restaurant serving espressos, cappuccinos, filtered coffee and Italian desserts including cannolis, gelato and tiramisu and cordials, will open soon for guests who want to indulge their sweet tooth after dinner. Bar Amalfi, an indoor/outdoor lounge on the building’s second level is open for drinks and private parties.
Antico Pizza South Beach is located at 1058 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL. For more information, please call: 786-216-7908
[Source: News Wire]