Gioia Hospitality Group built its reputation on steak; Daniel’s Miami was recently named the highest-ranked Florida steakhouse on the World’s Best 101 Steak Restaurants list, and Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse, has earned its own Michelin Guide recognition. Next, founders Thomas Angelo and Kassidy Angelo are turning to something considerably more personal. La Sponda, the group’s first Italian concept — opened on September 19 at CMC Group’s newly delivered Vita at Grove Isle — is built directly from Thomas Angelo’s family history in Puglia rather than a generic idea of Italian dining.
“I grew up in a family deeply rooted in southern Italy, where some of my favorite memories were made in the kitchen and my travels with my children to Puglia,” Thomas Angelo said. “Those memories became the foundation for La Sponda, and our hope is that every guest who walks through our doors feels that same sense of warmth, connection, and hospitality.” Kassidy Angelo echoed the sentiment: “This restaurant is incredibly personal to us because it brings together our family’s traditions with everything we’ve learned while building Gioia Hospitality.”
Chef Danny Ganem leads the kitchen, with fresh pasta made in-house daily alongside a rotating selection of crudo, antipasti, and seafood. Signature dishes include Spaghetti alla Chitarra al Tartufo with Burgundy truffles, cultured butter, and Parmigiano espuma; Paccheri al Campagnolo with Aquanaria branzino, Datterini tomatoes, capers, and olives; Branzino alla Vernaccia with Taggiasca olives, potatoes, tomatoes, and basil; and an Australian L’Grow Ranch Wagyu Bistecca Fiorentina finished with rosemary, Balsamico di Modena, and Gioia olive oil.
Wine & Beverage Director Daniel Bishop built the list around Italy’s most celebrated regions: Barolo and Barbaresco from Piemonte, Tuscan selections, lighter Etna reds from Sicily, and wines from Puglia specifically honoring the Angelo family’s roots, rounded out by French, Spanish, and California bottles and select vintages spanning 20 to 25 years. The cocktail program includes the Summer in Amalfi Spritz, the Zio Tony (a tropical riff on the Paper Plane), and a Garibaldi Fresca made with Campari and fresh-pressed pineapple and orange juices.
Designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the 120-seat restaurant blends European elegance with Coconut Grove’s more relaxed register. Nearly every material was sourced from Italy: handcrafted furnishings, imported stone, custom tables, and artisan finishes, surrounding an intimate dining room with crisp white tablecloths, hand-painted architectural details, a baby grand piano, and a private dining room for special occasions. The neighborhood gets its own quiet nod, too: a local artist individually hand-painted custom lamps throughout the space with illustrations of Coconut Grove’s iconic peacocks and tropical surroundings.
“Grove Isle has long held a special place in Miami, with a history as one of the city’s most celebrated waterfront destinations,” said Ugo Colombo, Founder of CMC Group. “La Sponda is a natural extension of that vision, bringing exceptional dining, hospitality, and design together to create a destination that enhances the lifestyle at Vita and once again establishes Grove Isle as a place for the broader Miami community to experience and enjoy.”
Haute Living’s Miami dining coverage, see The Haute Coconut Grove Guide.
Haute Black · By Haute Living
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