If loving carbs is wrong, this month I definitely don’t want to be right. With October being National Pizza and Pasta Month it’s the perfect excuse to pause your low carb diet and indulge in high-end carbs at these Miami’s local favorites: Le Zoo, Makoto, Gekkō, Mi’Talia and PLANTA South Beach.
Le Zoo
Le Zoo, the chic French eatery nestled within the luxurious Bal Harbour Shops, has the ultimate high-end pizza-pasta combo for all the truffle lovers out there. Try their Truffle Pizza featuring egg and fontina, perfectly paired with their Tagliolini with truffle butter sauce and parmesan.
Makoto
Makoto’s Short Rib Yaki Noodle with tamarind soy and ginger aioli is a delectable noodle dish with a kick. And if you’re looking for a more classic nood, try Makoto’s iconic Chicken Ramen paired with yuzu oil and fresh scallions.
Gekkō
Brickell’s new popular Japanese-inspired steakhouse, Gekkō, is famed for its chophouse staples, but the restaurant also features plant-based offerings for all guests to enjoy with its Daring Plant-Based Chicken Rice Noodles. Completed with the works, bok choy, bell pepper and broccoli, this dish is full of flavor.
Mi’Talia
From the ricotta-filled mint and pistachio Pesto Ravioli, lemon-zested Sunflower Pizza with mint and pistachio pesto (have your phone handy too, this flower-shaped pizza will have your Instagram buzzing) and Not Your Nonna’s Bolognese with slow-braised veal, pork and beef bolognese sauce, these are just a few among their mouth-watering, carb-loaded menu. Mi’Talia
PLANTA South Beach
PLANTA’S signature Udon Noodles and Bianca Pizza are the perfect dishes to satisfy your carb craving, guilt free! The Udon Noodles feature a creamy truffle mushroom sauce topped with shaved black truffle, and the fresh and flavorful Bianca Pizza is loaded with rosemary potatoes, kale, and some hot chili oil to spice things up. Find these plant-based dishes at both PLANTA South Beach and PLANTA Queen Coconut Grove.
Patio Isola
Hot off the heels of its recent opening, chef/restaurateur José Mendín’s and Chef Santo Agnello’s inspired, coastal Italian concept Patio Isola is bringing a slice of Italian paradise to Miami. To hell with superstition! Celebrate National Pizza Month and get lucky in MiMo every Wednesday with Lucky 13 and indulge in the restaurant’s roster of house-made pizza pies all-day from 4PM to 11PM for just $13 a pie. Flavors include but are not limited to The Don Enzo – pepperoni, sausage, nduja, Mike’s Hot Honey, pecorino and fresh cut basil; Vecchia Signora – braised short rib with Taleggio white sauce, truffle oil and pecorino; Primavera – pomodoro, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and mozzarella; La Polpetta – meatball crumbles, ricotta, mozzarella, pecorino and fresh basil; and La Plazita – pastrami, ham, roasted chicken, mozzarella, papitas and pink sauce. Plus, exclusive to Wednesdays only, $6 slices of Chef Santo’s Detroit-style pizza as well as slices of Sicilian, Sfincione Traditional with anchovies, and Sicilian Upside-Down Cheese pizzas. Patio Isola is located at 6789 Biscayne Boulevard in Miami. For more information, visit www.casaisolamiami.com/
PizzElla at Time Out Market Miami
PizzElla by local chef Larry Galper located inside Time Out Market is the perfect place to celebrate National Pizza Month. Showcasing 10-inch pizzas (4 or 6 slices upon request) made Neapolitan-style, and cooked in 900-degree ovens to ensure a bubbly, crisp outside, while still being soft on the inside, its a pizza lover’s dream. Packed with locally sourced, high-quality ingredients, highlights include Cacio E Pepe Pizza, a white pie with Parm & Pecorino, Mozzarella, Peppery Ricotta Parm Crema, Garlic Oil and Black Pepper; Margherita Pizza, an original take on a traditional pizza with Red Sauce, Parm & Pecorino, Fresh Mozzarella, Fresh Basil; and Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza, with Red Sauce, Parm & Pecorino, Garlic Oil, Fresh Mozzarella, Pepperoni, House-made Sweet and Spicy Honey; Plant Lovers Pizza with Red Sauce, Parm & Pecorino, Fresh Mozzarella, Mushrooms (sauteed in garlic, rosemary and thyme), pickled Shishito Peppers and fresh Basil; Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza, with Red Sauce, Parm & Pecorino, Fresh Mozzarella, thinly-sliced Prosciutto, Arugula dressed with garlic oil and topped with shaved parmesan. Guests also have the option to “Modify Yo Pie” by adding extra cheese (vegan or regular), pickled shishito peppers, mushrooms, bacon, meatball, prosciutto and pepperoni. Time Out Market Miami is located at 1601 Drexel Avenue on Miami Beach. Telephone: (786) 753-5388; https://www.timeout.
BROWARD
Matchbox
Calling all South Florida Pizza Lovers! Matchbox, located along the gorgeous Las Olas riverfront, featuring delicious brick oven pizzas is the ideal dining destination during National Pizza Month. Matchbox will be celebrating with delicious rewards, swag and surprises. Guests and social media followers should be on the lookout for fun swag and surprise gift cards in their to-go bags and DMs, along with complimentary items while dining in. In addition, Matchbox loyalty members will receive double points with every pizza purchase through October. Membership perks include earning $10 in Matchbox rewards upon joining, one point for every $1 spent at Matchbox, and scoring a free pizza on your birthday. Signature pizza highlights include White Clam Pizza, a white pie with Little Neck clams, creamy white sauce, garlic, crispy prosciutto, arugula; Fig and Prosciutto Pizza, a roasted garlic puree, made with blue cheese crumbles, black pepper honey, mozz, arugula; and Fire & Smoke Pizza, a spicy chipotle puree, garnished with basil, Spanish onions, roasted garlic puree, roasted red peppers and smoked gouda. During ‘social hour’ Monday- Friday, from 4PM-6PM, 10” pizzas including Cheese, Holy Grail Margarita, Garden Veggie, Pepperoni, Chicken Pesto and Matchbox Meat Pizza are available at a discounted price of $10. Matchbox is located at 221 SW 1st Avenue, CU-1, in Fort Lauderdale. Matchbox is open Monday through Thursday; 4PM – 10PM, Friday; 4PM – 12AM, Saturday 11AM – 12AM; Sunday; 11AM – 10PM. For more information, visit and https://www.
