I’ve had some really good pizza in my food documenting times. Living in NYC, I could not have been more spoiled. But, Miami has given some of my favorites a fair run for their money. I’ve come across a pizza in Coral Gables that is so good, I’m calling it my (new) favorite in all of Miami; topping the first pizza I had at Harry’s Pizzeria that I was sure couldn’t be toppled. It’s the above-pictured Argentina Pizza at Craft Miami.
Mozzarella, braised short rib, tomato, and green onion – a masterpiece of simple, high-quality ingredients coming together in a brick oven. The star was the beautifully braised short rib scattered generously on top. Each bite rich, beefy, and just fell apart in your mouth. Then you have the thinly sliced tomatoes, generously portioned throughout, with only a light tomato sauce so the tomatoes still provid the acidity. All married with the bright pop of green onions, the toppings made for a pizza that was both deeply savory and delightfully fresh.
At the heart of this pizza’s excellence is its authentic Neapolitan roots. Unlike your typical American pie, Neapolitan pizza has a few signature traits that set it apart. First, minimal ingredients in the dough. The tomatoes must be either San Marzano tomatoes or pomodorini del Piennolo del Vesuvio, which grow on volcanic plains near Mount Vesuvius. Then there’s the way it’s cooked – baked to perfection at blazing hot temperatures of 900°F or higher for just 60-90 seconds. CRAFT utilizes a special wood-fired oven with the classic domed shape and brick cooking surface that Neapolitan pies have been baked in for centuries. It may be a simple pizza, but this one transports you to Naples and Argentina all at once. That’s an impressive pie.
I decided to balance the pizza out with CRAFT’s Roasted Pumpkin Salad. Let me just say – whoever the culinary genius is that put this fall-inspired salad on the summer menu deserves a medal. It was the perfect mix of flavors and textures on a plate. Broccoli, curried lentils, goat cheese, cherry tomato, caramelized onions, green leaves, beetroot aioli. and pralines. Say that five times fast.
You had the creamy, caramelized roasted pumpkin playing off the crisp-tender broccoli and curried lentils which added an unexpected burst of warmth. The juicy cherry tomatoes brought pops of acidity while the tangy goat cheese and sweet/savory pralines lent a decadent creaminess. And tying it all together was that insanely moreish beetroot aioli dressing that was light enough to let all of the other flavors stand out.
This salad was a revelation – proof that you can eat seasonally and enjoy cozy, comforting fall flavors even in the dead of summer if it’s done skillfully. I cannot wait to try and make something like it at home.
Last, we ordered the Classic Burger. I was too happy with the pizza and only had a bite but this lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese, aioli, and ketchup on a brioche bun classic has rave reviews online and I need to tell you, it lives up to the hype.
The beef is no frozen, mass-produced patty; you can just taste the quality and commitment to using premium, responsibly sourced meat. There’s a gorgeous sear and caramelized outer crust coming from CRAFT’s blistering hot oven. Yet on the inside, it remains a sliceable, juicy medium-rare. The toppings are classic but executed flawlessly with a thick, blanketed with that gooey Cheddar cheese. Then there’s the brilliant brioche bun situation. So often burgers fall apart because the bun is an insipid, flavorless afterthought. But not here – CRAFT understands the power of a great bread journey. Add a side of fresh cut fries and you have another winning dish.
Branded as “Comfort food at its best,” the team at CRAFT in Miami has mastered the art of elevated, flavor-packed comfort cuisine. From their amazing Neapolitan pizzas to their creative seasonal salads, it’s no wonder this place has a stellar 4.7/5 rating minimum across platforms.
