Harry's Pizzeria Coconut Grove Opens Wednesday

The second location of Harry's Pizzeria is about to open in Coconut Grove. Michael Schwartz's second pizza joint, named after his son, will fire up the wood-burning oven tomorrow, October 7, for business.

The restaurant, located at 2996 McFarlane Rd., just across the street from CocoWalk and around the corner from Panther Coffee, is a much-welcomed addition to the family-friendly neighborhood.

For those familiar with the flagship, Harry's in the Design District, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary, the ambiance of the new location is much the same, with some changes to suit the neighborhood.

Wallpaper featuring cartoon pizza ingredients wrap the bar wall, which offers seating for eight and a good view of pizzas getting their turn in the 31-square-foot oven.

On the far wall, a flock of stuffed ducks flies over the main dining room, which seats 46. An additional 16 seats are located outdoors (complete with water bowls for the numerous dogs that like to dine with their owners in the tree-lined Grove). Two flat-panel TVs and a standing bar will ensure busy game-day action, and plenty of street parking (and municipal lots) will make spending time at Harry's an easy one. 

The menu is also similar to the one at the original Harry's, which offers snacks, salads, daily entrées, pizzas, and desserts. Daily pizza and soup specials will be featured, and pizzas range from $12 to $17. Favorites such as Harry's polenta fries with spicy ketchup ($7) are available and best served with a cold Michael's Genuine Home Brew.

Pies arrive hot from the hearth, which has up to three pizza cooks dedicated to it at peak hours. The oven will also turn out wood-roasted chicken wings ($12). 

For dessert, there's a panna cotta of the day ($6), which pairs nicely with local Panther coffee or JoJo tea.

Schwartz is dedicated to serving Coconut Grove, going so far as to introduce a "Harry's Pizza Box" column in the local Grovite newspaper, which will feature a seasonal recipe, a listing of events and offers at the restaurant, and a "Funny Fries" cartoon. The restaurateur, who recently announced a second Coconut Grove restaurant at the Park Grove condominium project, says, “We are so excited to get to know our new neighborhood and know it’s our number one job to make everyone feel at home at Harry’s. This second restaurant is going to be a great new adventure, but this is 100 percent not about reinventing the wheel. We are so lucky to welcome familiar faces from the original that now have a Harry’s in their community to call home. Everything is so shiny and new. It’s time to wear some tear into it, but not before relishing the new-car smell for a little while.”

The restaurant does have that new-car smell, by the way. On a recent trip to the Grove, I checked out the kitchen. The custom build-out is brand new, filled with sparkling pans waiting to be charred from years of use. The dining room has a clubby feel to it, down to the shelves filled with knickknacks over the bar. (Hint: Look for the Republic of Coconut Grove sign, which Schwartz fell in love with after seeing it adorn the village trash cans.)

Harry's Pizzeria Coconut Grove is open Monday through Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Thursday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. No reservations are needed — just walk or bike in.