New York's La Pecora Bianca opens its first restaurant outside the city on Monday, Nov. 2, at The Shops at Merrick Park in Coral Gables, The Burn Miami reported. It takes the ground-floor space at 360 San Lorenzo Ave. that was home to Villagio, another Italian spot.

Founder Mark Barak has eight La Pecora Bianca restaurants in the New York area. Culinary director Ed Scarpone leads the kitchen, Haute Living reported.

What's on the menu

The restaurant has already posted its Coral Gables menu. Some picks and prices:

  • Rigatoni vodka, the dish the brand is known for: $27
  • Too Much Fried Mozzarella: $22
  • Whipped ricotta with truffle honey: $17. Pastas run $25 to $29, and gluten-free pasta is available on request
  • Truffle pizza: $29. Margherita: $23
  • Chicken Parmesan: $36. Filet: $58. LPB Burger: $26
  • Lobster spaghetti fra diavolo with a whole 2-pound lobster, made to share: $90
  • Tiramisu for Two: $19

Spritzes run $17 to $18. The menu also lists a happy hour with $8 snacks, $12 pizzas, $5 beers, $10 cocktails and $8 wine. The restaurant hasn't posted happy hour times yet.

The room

Design firm Urban Robot did the space, according to Haute Living. Seating runs indoors and out, with a palm garden. There's a wraparound bar with about 20 seats and a private dining room for up to 20 people.

Reservations are open on the restaurant's website, which lists Coral Gables as a location. It hasn't posted daily hours yet, so check before you go. The Miami Guide also has a first look at the exterior.

Getting there

The Shops at Merrick Park is on San Lorenzo Avenue in Coral Gables, south of downtown. The restaurant is on the ground level, in the old Villagio space.

It's a busy fall for Italian food in Miami. A Pasta Bar opened in Sunset Harbour last week, as we reported, and D's Rooftop opens in the Gables this week.

Open-air levels and walkways at The Shops at Merrick Park
Inside The Shops at Merrick Park, April 2024. Source