Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality Set To Open Ken Fulk-Designed 'Casadonna' On The Biscayne Bay Waterfront in Edgewater

Casadonna, a first-of-its-kind partnership between Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, is set to open its doors in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood alongside Biscayne Bay on October 26. The ultra-luxurious Ken Fulk-designed waterfront destination spans 20,000 square feet across indoor, outdoor and bar seating, matching a sophisticated, storied atmosphere and an expansive, inventive menu designed around coastal Italian cuisine.

Accommodating up to 366 patrons, Casadonna’s Riviera-style Italian cooking takes center stage as the gentle teal of Biscayne Bay, and Miami Beach’s iconic skyline, shimmers in the backdrop. The menu features the freshest local and imported-from-Italy ingredients, with signature dishes including Crispy Young Artichoke, Royal Dorade Aqua Pazza, Bistecca Fiorentina, and a selection of handmade pastas including Campanelle Bolognese, and more. Recipes are based on classic culinary techniques found in seaside towns such as Naples, Taormina, Bari, Positano and Gaeta, yet each is presented in a contemporary and global fashion. A comprehensive crudo bar including Langoustine Ceviche, Tuna Carpaccio and Caviar elevates the aperitivo offering in tandem with traditional antipasti starters. Bespoke cocktails and an extensively curated wine cellar complete the spirit of seaside dolce vita.

“Casadonna is unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” says David Grutman, Founderof Groot Hospitality. “In partnering with Tao, I cannot wait to see our synergies take hold and for our guests to experience the unique magic we’ve created. From the fresh Italian menu to its unbeatable waterfront views, we see Casadonna bringing something new to Miami dining–and we know it will be unforgettable.”

“This is our first foray into the Miami market,” says Noah Tepperberg, Co-CEO of Tao Group Hospitality. “It’s an honor to be in such an important landmark within the city, and it’s exciting to have partnered with Groot Hospitality on this venture. David and his team know Miami deeply, and with our combined strengths, I have no doubt Casadonna is going to become an instant classic.”

Located in a waterfront landmark building that houses the Miami Women’s Club, Casadonna’s name pays homage to the restaurant’s site. The moniker’s compound elements–“casa” and “donna”– translate from Italian to English as “home” and “woman.” While the Miami Women’s Club was founded in 1900–making it one of the oldest formal organizations in the city–the current Mediterranean-revival structure opened in 1926, and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Miami Women’s Club has been instrumental in supporting educational programs and promoting community stewardship in and around the Magic City. Its members have also helped with state-shaping policy and activism. Among their most notable achievements: The Miami Women’s Club took a prominent role in the founding of the State Federation Royal Palm Park. The Royal Palm would evolve and be absorbed into none other than what is now Everglades National Park.

“We delved deep into the history of Miami architecture and this building, and we landed on a shared vision that added the grandeur of nearby Vizcaya and the exotic allure of the Long Bar at Raffles in Singapore,” says designer Ken Fulk. “We then inserted modern luxuries and really leaned into a slow reveal of spaces, which is a hallmark of the Groot and Tao experiences.”

Spearheaded by Fulk in collaboration with Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, Casadonna’s visual realization provides a highly transportive experience. A double-height Courtyard Bar welcomes guests–this stands in the building’s original atrium. Lush flora and a retractable roof give the space the feeling of a grand secret garden, replete with arched windows, open sky exposure and a second story arcade. As guests move further into the restaurant, with Biscayne Bay coming into view, a number of distinct chambers unfold, from The Garden Dining Room, which is designed to feel like a classic, plaster-finished conservatory, to the Loggia Dining Room, which boasts parquet wood floors, a coffered ceiling, detailed millwork, custom blown-glass chandeliers and breathtaking views of the Bay through the building’s original windows. The experience concludes at the Ocean Bar, which is composed of intimate lounges and al fresco dining areas that span the length of the bay-facing terrace. As guests move through this progression of rooms, the seductive waterfront views become more and more pronounced.

Casadonna will be open for dinner on Thursday, October 26th and for weekend brunch beginning on Saturday, November 11th 2023.

Limestone Acquires PLANTA Property In Miami Beach's Ritzy South-Of-Fifth For $12 Million

Miami-based Limestone Asset Management has acquired the flagship South-of-Fifth property which is home to PLANTA in Miami Beach for $12 million. The 7,835 SF building was completed in 2018 as the first built-to-suit and the first PLANTA in the state of Florida and sits on a 9,148-square-foot (0.21-acre) lot. The property is located at 850 Commerce Street, Miami Beach, FL, 33139 in the affluent South of Fifth neighborhood.

Kevin Sanz of Orion Real Estate Group represented the buyer, Limestone Planta, LLC. Alex Sharrin of JLL represented the seller, Commerce Street Properties, LLC. First National Bank of South Miami is providing financing. Limestone Asset Management is led by Ibrahim Al-Rashid and invests in and acquires real estate properties over all asset classes throughout North America. Limestone Asset Management is an affiliate of Orion Real Estate Group, its joint venture partner in the deal. Limestone Asset Management uses Orion Real Estate Group's expertise to complete all of its North America-based transactions.

PLANTA, a David Grutman project led by Founder and CEO Steven Salm and Co-founder and Executive Chef David Lee, is Miami’s premier location for innovative plant-based fine dining. Its goal is to expand the acceptability, enjoyment, and celebration of the power of plants. The restaurant’s owners are the lessees and will remain in the building until 2028.

Champions of plant-based living for better health, community, and the planet, the restaurant has locations in New York, Toronto, and Maryland, in addition to Florida, with plans of expansion in Chicago and California. Additionally, PLANTA offers nationwide delivery of its plant-based signature dishes, desserts, condiments, and sauces.

“PLANTA is a unique restaurant concept, and we are excited to purchase their flagship property located in the South of Fifth neighborhood,” said Ibrahim Al-Rashid, chairman of Limestone Asset Management. “Rarely do opportunities present themselves in this neighborhood. A block from Joe’s Stone Crab, one of America's most iconic restaurants, is a place every landlord would love to be.”

The Coconut Grove Restaurant Scene Is Buzzing Amid New Restaurant Openings Including A New Concept From David Grutman

Coconut Grove is alive and buzzing amid a variety of new restaurant opens that are bringing one of Miami’s most historic and beautiful neighborhoods back into its heyday. In December Major Food Group opened Sadelle’s, a breakfast-centric haven, power-lunch hotspot, and energetic dinner destination located in Park Grove at the former Tigertail + Mary space. Nearby, reclaiming its role as the epicenter of Miami’s Coconut Grove commercial district, the newly redeveloped CocoWalk is now 100% leased with the announcement of the new openings including The Key Club from David Grutman’s Groot Hospitality and a new concept from Ariete Hospitality.

The Key Club, which is set to open at CocoWalk in the upcoming weeks, is an energetic American grill. It’s menu will feature items such as seafood, steaks, salads and will offer a sushi component with an upbeat, party atmosphere. The restaurant is designed with nautical and nature vibes with indoor and outdoor seating. They are currently hiring for management, FOH and BOH positions. Groot Hospitality is the restaurant group behind Swan, Papi Steak, and Komodo, as well as nightlife destinations such as LIV.

Other recent openings include modern American restaurant Botánico Gin & Cookhouse, which opened in November, and Duck N’ Sum, a modern Asian restaurant serving classic flavors such as steamed bao buns and garlic noodles. Then, in December, Sushi Garage unveiled its unique culinary experience inspired by classic Japanese flavors created by Executive Chef Sunny Oh.

Ariete Hospitality Group, the culinary creators behind some of Coconut Grove’s most popular restaurants such as Ariete, Navé and Chug’s, will also open a new restaurant on property this year. Set to open in spring 2022 is Narbona Natural Foods & Farm Market, the 8,253-square-foot specialty market that will feature a butcher shop, fresh pastas, and a bakery along with a selection of gourmet cheeses, craft beers, wines, and coffees – all produced on its farms in South America. This will become Narbona’s second location to open in South Florida.

In addition to the new and exciting dining concepts, world-class cinema Cinépolis makes its highly anticipated debut with the opening of a brand-new movie theater this winter, marking the return of the neighborhood’s only movie theater.

“Our goal with the newly renovated CocoWalk is to reinvigorate the lifestyle destination and offer a more curated experience to those who live, work, and play in Coconut Grove,” said Michael Comras, CEO and President of The Comras Company. “The return of Cinepolis, the top shops already open and our upcoming restaurant debuts by several of Miami’s leading hospitality groups will further enhance the lifestyle, dining and shopping experience the new CocoWalk has to offer.”

The new restaurants join an already impressive and extensive line-up of curated national, regional and local concepts currently open at CocoWalk such as PLANTA Queen, Mister 01 Extraordinary Pizza, Sweetgreen and ice cream outpost Salt & Straw.

Images via CocoWalk

Dave Grutman's Groot Hospitality Files Plans To Bring Restaurant To Edgewater At The Historic Miami Women's Club

Dave Grutman, the founder of LIV Nightclub at Fontainebleau Miami Beach and Groot Hospitality, the brand behind the swanky Komodo, Papi Steak and Swan restaurants, has filed plans to bring a new restaurant to Edgewater at the historic Miami Woman’s Club. The Miami Woman’s Club was first built in 1930 and is being restored with approvals from Miami’s Historic Preservation Board. Groot Hospitality pulled a construction permit which was filed in August to build out the 14,838 SF restaurant. The restaurant will make use of renovating 11,396 SF as well as a 3,442 SF addition via a $6.5 million mortgage issued by Firstbank Puerto Rico. The renovation will include a rooftop lounge and a waterfront dining deck on Biscayne Bay. No restaurant concept has been publicly announced as of yet.