Pizza Rustica

Pizza Rustica Restaurant Review:

Since the proliferation of brick oven pizzerias producing truly authentic Italian pies, Pizza Rustica no longer seems as special as it did in the mid-1990s, when the original South Beach shop's meal-size slices and whole rectangular tray pies evoked square suns lighting up South Florida pizza's Dark Ages. These days, one can't help noticing that PR's crusts, though thin, lack the now-familiar char bubbles that ultra-high temperature wood or coal-burning brick ovens produce. But toppings are still high quality and abundantly applied. Especially recommended is the signature Rustica loaded with tomato sauce, diced fresh tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes, plus fresh mozzarella, artichokes, kalamata olives, fresh basil and prosciutto layered on, as in Italy, after cooking. Also available: "create-your-own" salads and some panini, plus, for dessert, chocolate Nutella pizzas --- depending on location. There's outdoor seating at this self-service branch (which is often packed during the place's happy hour); its location in Miami's international banking district makes it convenient for a business lunch on the run, too.