Miami Chef, Boone Studios
Proving just how dynamic Miami’s pizza scene has become, a new concept bringing Japanese Neapolitan pies is already making waves as one of the country’s most anticipated newcomers. The prestigious Robb Report has unveiled its 15 Most Exciting Restaurant Openings in America This Fall, and among those selected is Florida’s very first Tokyo-style pizzeria.
Taking over the former Harry’s Pizzeria space on 1680 Meridian Ave, Royale Pizza Napoletana is set to serve the airy and perfectly crisp pies this October. The fast-casual setting will seat 65 guests and churn out the 30-hour fermented dough fresh from an 800-degree oven.
What exactly is Tokyo-style Neapolitan pizza?
For those unfamiliar with the concept, it looks a lot like your standard Neapolitan pie at a glance, but it’s all in the technique. It blends classic Italian pizza-making with the precision of Japanese cooking, resulting in a chewy charred crust and a bottom that holds its shape rather than collapsing into a soupy mess.
Boone Studios
That’s to say diners who head to Royale Pizza can expect a curated menu of four traditional pizzas and three specials, in addition to two pastas, two mains and antipasti.
“Japanese pizza is all the rage, and this Miami restaurant is pulling in the big guns from Japan to bring the cuisine to the 305,” the Robb Report list reads.
The restaurant is the brainchild of Jess Varughese, the entrepreneur and restaurateur behind Wynwood’s ultra-exclusive Haiku. After tasting the pizza for himself in Japan, he knew there was a need for it in sunny South Florida, so he went straight to Chef Bun (Bungo Kaneko) of Tokyo’s legendary Savoy.
Miami Chef
At the helm of Royale Pizza, Chef Bun will team up with a roster of culinary veterans, including Haiku Executive Chef Albert Diaz and rising star pizzaiola Dalila Sabatino.
You can find the full Robb Report list of exciting restaurant openings, which includes NYC’s Brasserie Boulud and Nashville’s Noko Yaki, here.
Dining and Cooking