Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Pirolo.
Hi Jacqueline, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My career in hospitality began with serving tables at Restaurant Joanina in Huntington, NY in 2007. I for sure fibbed and said I had restaurant experience to get the job, which became very obvious in hour one of training. Thankfully the owners were willing to give me a chance and I worked there for close to 6 years.
I tried to at one point pursue a career in television/film production – but even kept a part-time job at Joanina because yes production paid me pennies, but also I loved the restaurant environment. This place truly sparked my passion for this industry.
My brothers and I decided to venture out on our own and opened The Saint Austere in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY; a small 30-seat neighborhood restaurant that was open for just shy of 10 years. My brother and his wife (now my partners) opened Macchialina in 2012. I moved to Miami to balance out the sibling equation in 2016. In 2025 we expanded and opened up Bar Bucce – a bottle shop, pizzeria and market in Little River. I love Miami and the camaraderie that exists here within the hospitality world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s not always a smooth road and at times still isn’t. Both The Saint Austere and Macchialina weren’t busy from day one. Trying to make yourself known while staying excited and confident in the product you’re putting out there in a slow restaurant that is having a tough time either paying bills, hiring people, or both is one of the hardest challenges I had to face. Your regular clientele, the people who truly support the restaurant day in and day out really helped. Opening a new business this year is quick reminder of how much work the early years are. It doesn’t matter how much time you spend developing your concept, it’s not until you’re open and operating that the space becomes alive and you really see what works and doesn’t. It’s been wonderful to open a concept that compliments our Macchialina story but manages to offer something totally different.
As you know, we’re big fans of BAR BUCCE. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Bar Bucce is our newest venture. It’s a bottle shop, pizzeria and market. Opened in May of 2025 – it’s been amazing to see how this space is able to be so many different things to so many different people.
A place where professionals work during the day, get a sandwich or salad, a mid day coffee with laptops open; a meeting spot for our daily happy hour; an after school slice shop; a meeting spot for friends to hang at night, pick out their own bottle of wine and chill over a pizza with a 90s hip hop playlist, all while folks inside are shopping for meat/cheese/crackers/pasta/sauce/wine to take home to the dinner party they are hosting.
How do you think about luck?
I’m not sure I believe in luck. I do believe in hard work, surrounding yourself with talented, passionate (and funny) people and taking chances. You don’t know if something will work if you don’t try. Surrounding myself with the right people keeps me inspired.
Pricing:
- $20 pizza Thursdays – all pies $20
- $4 NYer slice and BOGO cocktails 4pm-6:30pm daily at the bar
- FREE drip coffee everyday
- BOGO pizza on Uber Eats delivery
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barbucce.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbuccemiami/
Image Credits
@R.C.Visuals @mr.jacob.edenfield
