Harry’s Pizzeria Miami Design District-Wood Oven Baked Dishes

Harry’s Pizzeria Miami is one of the many eateries from Michael Schwartz‘s The Genuine Hospitality Group that calls the Design District home, including chef/restaurateur’s first restaurant, Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink.

The Miami Design District is a neighborhood north of Midtown. Once exclusively filled with high-end home décor showrooms patronized by interior designers, it has transformed into a luxury shopping as well as a cultural destination.

Despite the nearby haute couture surroundings, Harry’s Pizzeria has a cozy, rustic interior, a welcoming staff, and -a brick laid wood-burning oven. The small bar at the entrance offers four revolving craft beer taps, which included Blue Point’s Rastafa Rye Ale on my visit, as well as bottled brews and wines.

Although I came to sample their pizza pies, the Warm Brussels Sprouts and Stracciatella Salad caught my attention on the menu. The wood oven roasted miniature cabbages were mixed with chilled thin slices of Pear and covered in a creamy Parmigiana dressing, then garnished with chopped Pistachios and crowned with lattice-forming ropes of fresh Italian Buffalo Milk Cheese.

In addition to sweet, salty and savory flavor combinations, there was also textural play of crunchy nuts and doughy-soft cheese. A very successfully tasty and inventive dish.

Chef Chris prepared two pizzas from Harry’s wood-burning oven for my tasting. The first was the Mushroom on the regular menu. Both pungent and woodsy Porcini and the bold and nutty Cremini adorn this white pizza made with strongly flavored Fontina and Taleggio Cheeses and seasoned with fresh Thyme.

The next pie served was listed the chalkboard as the day’s special. This pie was covered in tender shredded Pork and crispy Kale with Ricotta Cheese and Red Onions, and seasoned with Red Chili Flakes. Another display of culinary originality shown with America’s favorite comfort food.

It became clear that creativity from the staff is prized as much as using locally-sourced produce, when the day manager thoughtfully offered to serve my glass of Strawberry Lambrusco topped with freshly ground Cinnamon for a mulled wine like flavor. The sweet and spiced, deep plum colored wine paired nicely with the rich-tasting pizzas.

The chef also sent what the menu lists as snacks; two of Harry’s signature appetizers. The golden stack of  Polenta Fries served with Jalapeno-spiced housemade Ketchup were full of flavor and texture. The Wood Oven Roasted Chicken Wings were caramelized in wonderful Agrodolce, an Italian sweet and sour sauce, and served with a savory Rosemary Cream dipping sauce. Both were delicious standouts, and great accompaniments for Happy Hour.

Harry’s Pizzeria Miami is located in the Design District at 3918 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127. A second location is in the Coconut Grove neighborhood at 2996 McFarlane Rd, Miami, FL 33133.

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