Pizza Freak at Arlo Wynwood and A Celebration of Lucky at Batch Gastropub
Plus a St. Patrick's Day parade, a Pitbull cocktail, and a way to get Lucky forever
Pizza Freak at Arlo Wynwood Hotel
It’s no secret that Miami has a love affair with chef Brad Kilgore. For years, Kilgore has been one of the most innovative chefs in the Magic City, most recently crafting some beautiful dishes at MaryGold’s by Brad Kilgore at the Arlo Wynwood Hotel. What you might not know is that Kilgore’s also been working on perfecting the frozen pizza.
While we were all getting food drunk on Kilgore’s soft egg with caviar, the chef, along with partners Matt McKenney and chef Brad Daniels, launched Pizza Freak — a Philadelphia-based pizza place that delivers frozen pizza to your doorstep. And, the pizza is no ordinary pizza, let me tell you.
The pizzas arrive frozen with pre-cooked dough and sauce and non-cooked cheese. The pizza is flash chilled in a negative 40-degree Fahrenheit flash chiller and is vacuum sealed for freshness. The pizza comes in a Patent-Pending frame to ensure perfect baking “All you have to do is bake it for 20 to 25 minutes in a 350-degree oven and it comes out great,” says Kilgore.
I wrote about the pizza a few months ago for Broken Palate, but thanks to a Christmas bout with COVID I didn’t get a chance to try it until last evening.
Let me tell you something — this pizza in no way, shape, or form resembles frozen pizza. The scent of this pizza wafted intoxicatingly throughout Arlo Wynwood’s indoor/outdoor Higher Ground lounge space. When I finally got to taste the pizza it was fantastic — crispy on the edge and bottom, perfectly fluffy in the center, with a slightly sweet sauce to balance the pepperoni cups.
I don’t know how Kilgore works his magic — he seems like a lovely human and not some food warlock, but after eating that pizza I have my doubts whether or not some alchemy is in effect. And this hot take is from a native New Yorker who balks at most pizza outside the Big Apple.
But, don’t take my word for it — try some for yourself.
Pizza Freak pizza is now available at Higher Ground at the Arlo Wynwood. The Umami Mami, priced at $6 per slice or $35 per whole pie, is topped with pepperoni, garlic chili crisp, and miso-lemon ranch. The Trufflenator, available at $7 per slice or $39 per whole pie, features wild mushrooms, leeks, truffle crema, and rosemary. The Three Cheese Blend, priced at $5 per slice or $29 per whole pie is a classic, and Ezzo’s Pepperoni Cups, at $5.50 per slice or $32 per whole pie is a classic banger.
Or order it online and bake it yourself. Freakin’ Great!
Get your freak on at Higher Ground at Arlo Wynwood from noon to 10 p.m. daily at 2217 NW Miami Ct., Miami. Or order at pizzafreakco.com.
Lucky Fundraiser at Batch Gastropub to Benefit Help Miami Dogs
Do you love dogs? Do you love inexpensive drinks? Do you love winning stuff? Well, then get thee to Batch Miami this Tuesday, March 12 to celebrate the Life of Lucky — the Brickell doggo that stole everyone’s heart. The happy hour starts at 5:30 on the patio with happy hour specials and raffles for prizes. Then, stay on for trivia night, which starts at 7:30! Plus — 100 percent of proceeds benefit Help Miami Dogs — a local organization dedicated to helping low-income dog owners in Little Haiti, Miami, and surrounding areas with spay, neuter, food, and other pet health care that they otherwise may not be able to afford! Get Lucky!
Celebrate doggos on Tuesday, March 12 starting at 5:30 p.m. at Batch Gastropub, 30 SW 12th St., Miami; batchgastropub.com.
Pitbull and Dolly Cocktail
So 2024 already gave us a few items not on the Bingo card — like a Pitbull and Dolly Parton collaboration — “Powerful Women” features Dolly revamping her iconic “9 to 5” with a new twist in the song, released just in time for Women’s History Month. If you want to celebrate Pitbull during March, Delilah Miami has a Pitbull-inspired cocktail called “the Worldwide”. The cocktail costs $20 and is available through March 12, so go ahead and toast to Miami’s favorite son and the queen of everything! Dale and Dolly!
The Worldwide
2oz Bacardi white
.75oz Lime
.75oz strawberry syrup
1oz Watermelon Juice
Shake with mint, pour into a Collins glass with crushed ice, and top with soda water
Celebrate Mr. 305 at Delilah Miami; 301 Brickell Key Dr., Miami; delilahrestaurants.com
St. Patrick’s Day Hollywood
I live in Hollywood, which is great a few times a year — including during St. Patrick’s Day! The city goes all out with its annual St. Patrick’s Day parade and festival, which happens to be this Sunday. If you love old-timey parades, this is a can’t-miss — the parade goes east on Hollywood Boulevard, with floats provided by small businesses that toss beads around like it was a green Mardi Gras. Look out for the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corps as a special guest. After the parade, Hollywood Boulevard lines with food and drink stands provided by local restaurants. There are also live performances all day at the main stage at 19th Street and Hollywood Boulevard, culminating with a performance by a U2 tribute band. Slainte!
Wear green at Hollywood Boulevard east of US 1 to Young Circle on Sunday, March 10 from noon to 6 p.m.
Forever Lucky
Who doesn’t want to have luck in their life? We all want to be Lucky — in love, in finance, in happiness. If you want to be happy, you might want to start by getting Lucky — Lucky the pup, that is. Just like the abovementioned Lucky — having a pup with this name can only bring joy into your home. This Lucky pup is a 13-year-old doggo and his number is A1551042 and his kennel number is TH07. Get Lucky!
Batch Gastropub is the sponsor of our dog adoption section. If you adopt one of these guys (or any dog because of Miami Checklist), Batch will supply you with a gift card for the amount of the adoption from MDAS. So get a dog, get a burger…or something like that. Contact me for details.
Lucky is one of hundreds of dogs available at Miami-Dade Animal Services. If you’re looking to bring a new best friend into the family, this is the place to start your search. Adoptions are only done in person, and you should bring a current picture ID and proof of current address. Dogs older than four months carry a $65 adoption fee and puppies are $85 — all dogs come home fully vaccinated, are dewormed, and have been spayed/neutered. In other words, adopting a dog is the best deal in Miami. Gorgeous!
Get Lucky at Miami-Dade Animal Services. 3599 NW 79 Ave., Doral; 305-884-1101; miamidade.gov/animals
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Hi Laine, loved the article on the frozen pizza. I'm ordering it! I also love your writing. I'm new to Substack (3 months and counting!) and would appreciate any tips and tricks you might be willing to share. Write on! Anne