Austin B.
Yelp
tl;dr the burrata salad and innovative thin-crust pie at this mini pizzeria chain truly are "extraordinary"
Pizza purists (read: die-hard New Yorkers) warned me to steer clear of the Miami pizza scene. But the Miami-based Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza might have something to say about that. Mister O1 is owned and operated by Chef Renato Viola, an Italian citizen and recipient of the O-1 Visa (reserved for individuals with extraordinary talents or abilities). The original "hidden" South Beach location was a viral phenomenon, and the brand has expanded throughout Florida and Texas.
The Wynwood outpost looks unassuming from the outside: the whitewashed facade is dull against the vibrant neighborhood street art. Even during business hours, the front window (which peers into the empty Mister O1 Pizza School room) is dark. The equally minimalistic dining room is pressed into the back of the restaurant. The monotone walls are decorated only by text explaining the O-1 Visa, and wooden tables and chairs are arranged neatly in the square space. Mismatched panels are placed around the open kitchen concept, and 50s rock and roll echoes around the room.
My family arrived for an early dinner, and we were one of the only parties there. Nonetheless, the staff was immediately friendly and inviting, and their food recommendations were perfect. Based on their suggestions, we shared the Burrata & Italian Balsamic Glaze, the Star Luca Pizza, and the Coffee Paolo Pizza. The burrata arrived quickly, and the pizzas followed within a reasonable timeframe. The generously sized burrato ball was fresh and rich, with a chewy exterior and creamy interior. It was served beside 3 large tomato slices, crisp baby arugula, tart homemade balsamic, and whisper-thin rosemary "focaccia" flatbread -- this all culminated into the perfect dish for salad lovers and burrata lovers alike.
The pizzas both sported an ultra-thin but moderately sturdy, leopard-spotted crust. The toppings and sauce were pressed all the way to the edge. Our "star" pizza reminded me of an elevated pepperoni pizza (especially enhanced by shaved basil), and the ricotta-stuffed crust avoided the all-to-common pitfall of becoming soggy. Not to be outdone, the coffee pie was as delicious as it was innovative. It had a strong aroma of freshly ground coffee, and each off-the-wall ingredient stood out without overwhelming. My family agreed that it was our most exciting pizza in recent memory.
Throughout our meal, the staff was quick and efficient. Further, as first-time visitors, we were offered a complimentary Nutella Pizza. Although its crust was overly chewy, and the thin layer of Nutella was richly one-dimensional, we nonetheless appreciated the sentiment. At just under $70 (after tax and tip) for 3 people, Mister O1 felt like an extraordinary value for an extraordinary meal. If you're in the mood for sit-down pizza in Miami, Mister O1 is sure to be a hit.