Acclaimed chef Ralph Pagano, of Naked Taco, is officially opening his newest restaurant called Naked Lunch, a modern Jewish-inspired deli that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at the UM Life Science & Technology Park from 7:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Naked Lunch offers a modern take on a wide array of dishes inspired from traditional Jewish delis, coupled with Chef Pagano’s signature flair. For breakfast, which is served all day, diners can choose from selections such as deep dish Belgium style waffles topped with a choice of fried chicken, a fried egg, or fresh butter, homemade strawberry and cream cheese pop-tarts, tres leches banana French toast, served alongside fresh fruit and vegetable juices to drink. Lunch and dinner options range from fresh salads, fried mortadella pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, deli platters and a selection of signature ground beef burgers.
“I am excited to expand the ‘Naked’ brand with the launch of Naked Lunch in the heart of Miami. With my Italian and Lebanese background, I’m putting my own twist on the traditional Jewish deli to create something completely different than anything else Miamians have tasted before,” Chef Pagano said. “Our new concept is bringing culinary creations with big flavors for area residents and the district’s workforce to enjoy fantastic food and drinks.”
Since his iconic casting on the first season of Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen, Chef Pagano has become a celebrity-chef staple at home and abroad, and can be seen on The Travel Channel hosting his international cooking show Pressure Cook, on The Lifetime Channel as the host of All Mixed Up and heard every Tuesday on the FM Radio station Big 105.9’s Paul and Young Ron Show, the No. 1 rated show in South Florida. Chef Pagano also hosts The Ralph Pagano Happy Hour, a cooking and travel series that highlights the best of cuisine and lifestyle in Miami.
In 2014, Chef Ralph Pagano opened a casual Mexican eatery called Naked Taco, located at the Dream South Beach Hotel, and can also be seen cooking at The AmericanAirlines Arena and Marlins Park, showcasing his Naked Taco concept to South Florida’s top sports teams and their fans. He has also traveled extensively to uncover new flavors and in recent years, has made South Florida his home. More than just a call to cook, Pagano’s personal obligation is to create recipes and menus with ingredients and practices that are renewable, sustainable and traceable.
Naked Lunch will join the Park’s other retailers including Thea’s Pizzeria, UPS Store and Subway Café, and will offer full catering service capabilities to serve events at the park and in the area’s diverse business, artistic and medical communities.
The restaurant is located on the first floor of the University of Miami Life Science & Technology Park (UMLSTP), which is owned and managed by Wexford Science & Technology, a BioMed Realty company, and centered in Miami’s bustling health and innovation district. The Park is a state-of-the-art, class A development that is home to life science research teams, entrepreneurs and companies from around the world and fosters innovation and collaboration.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Pagano to our project, who will bring his culinary expertise to the emerging Health and Innovation District. Naked Lunch will draw patrons from the surrounding areas to experience great dining, lively atmosphere and expanded catering options,” concluded Bill Hunter, Director of Leasing UMLSTP.