Lunch hosted by Giorgio Rapicavoli and Tommaso De Simone

In a city stuffed with first-rate Italian restaurants, Luca Osteria remains an unqualified standout. In fact, we’ll wager that the cozy Coral Gables restaurant easily ranks as one of the city’s finest, Italian or otherwise. And frankly, that should come as no surprise given both the talents and track record of its Executive Chef, Giorgio Rapicavoli, who has remained something of a culinary darling since bursting onto the Miami dining scene over a decade ago. Still, the Michelin-recommended Luca – best known for its staggeringly delicious pastas – might just be the Chopped champion’s crown jewel. For this exclusive SOBEWFF® lunch, he’ll share the kitchen at Luca with Tommaso De Simone, Executive Chef of Lo Scoglio, the charming hotel and restaurant nestled in the small seaside village of Nerano along the Amalfi Coast. De Simone’s grandfather founded the restaurant in 1958 and since then, its enchanting deck overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea has attracted crowds of locals and celebrities alike. Like Luca, the centerpiece of Lo Scoglio is pasta – most notably, the restaurant’s signature spaghetti alla Nerano (spaghetti with zucchini, cheese, and basil) – which we’re hoping makes it onto De Simone and Rapicavoli’s multi-course lunch menu. As the prolific Academy Award-winning film director Frederico Fellini once said, “Life is a combination of magic and pasta.” This lunch, which seamlessly blends two complementary approaches to Italian cuisine, ensures you get both.