Gioia Hospitality Group Set To Open La Sponda on September 19 in Coconut Grove at Vita at Grove Isle

Building on the success of Daniel's Miami, recently named the highest-ranked Florida steakhouse on the World's Best 101 Steak Restaurants list, and Daniel's, A Florida Steakhouse, which has earned Michelin Guide recognition, Gioia Hospitality Group founders Thomas Angelo and Kassidy Angelo will open La Sponda, an elegant waterfront Italian restaurant inspired by their family's heritage, this September at CMC Group’s recently delivered luxury condominium Vita at Grove Isle.

Marking the hospitality group's first Italian concept, La Sponda represents a natural evolution for Gioia Hospitality, whose reputation has been built on exceptional cuisine, warm hospitality, and thoughtfully designed destinations. More than a restaurant, La Sponda is a deeply personal expression of Thomas Angelo's lifelong connection to Italy, drawing from his family's roots in Puglia and decades spent exploring the country's regional cuisine, artisans, wineries, and traditions.

"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,” said Thomas Angelo, Co-Founder of Gioia Hospitality Group. "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."

"This restaurant is incredibly personal to us because it brings together our family's traditions with everything we've learned while building Gioia Hospitality. We can't wait to welcome guests into a place that feels as warm and memorable as the homes and restaurants that inspired it,” said Kassidy Angelo, Co-Founder of Gioia Hospitality Group.

“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. “With Vita, our vision has been to honor that legacy while introducing a new expression of luxury and waterfront living. 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.”

While Daniel's introduced guests to one of the country's most celebrated steak programs, La Sponda continues Gioia Hospitality's culinary legacy, complementing that steak-driven foundation with handmade pasta, pristine seafood, exceptional wines, and genuine hospitality that come together around the table. Leading the culinary program is Chef Danny Ganem, who has worked alongside Thomas and Kassidy to bring the family's vision to life. Fresh pasta is made in-house daily, alongside an evolving selection of crudo, antipasti, and seafood, with signature specialties inspired by the founders' favorite dishes and family traditions, alongside dishes drawn from different regions across Italy. Highlights include Spaghetti alla Chitarra al Tartufo with Burgundy truffles, cultured butter, and Parmigiano espuma; Paccheri al Campagnolo with Aquanaria Branzino, Datterini Tomatoes, Capers, Olives; Branzino alla Vernaccia with Taggiasca olives, potatoes, tomatoes, and basil; and an Australian L'Grow Ranch Wagyu Bistecca Fiorentina, a Wagyu porterhouse finished with rosemary, Balsamico di Modena, and Gioia olive oil.

Complementing the culinary program, Wine & Beverage Director Daniel Bishop will curate a globally influenced wine collection anchored by Italy’s most celebrated regions and inspired by the Angelo family’s Italian heritage. The list will showcase benchmark reds, including Barolo and Barbaresco from Piemonte, celebrated Tuscan selections, lighter-style Etna reds from Sicily, and wines from Puglia that pay homage to the Angelo family’s roots. Bright, mineral-driven coastal whites of Italy will complement the collection, evoking the seaside regions and destinations of the Amalfi Coast, Taormina, and Cinque Terre. French, Spanish, and California wines will further round out the program, alongside select vintages spanning up to 20 to 25 years. The collection will continue to evolve over time, shaped by seasonality and guest preferences.

Signature cocktails include the refreshing Summer in Amalfi Spritz with Martini & Rossi Prosecco, St-Germain, Italicus Aperitivo, Condesa Gin Clásica, and cucumber; Zio Tony, a tropical riff on the Paper Plane, with Angel’s Envy Daniel’s Cask Bourbon, Sarti Aperitivo, Amaro Nonino Riserva, passion fruit, and lemon; and Garibaldi Fresca, a playful take on the Italian classic with Campari and fluffy pineapple and orange juices.

Over the past several years, Thomas, Kassidy, Danny Ganem, and Daniel Bishop have traveled extensively throughout Italy, immersing themselves in regional culinary traditions while building relationships with producers, winemakers, artisans, and suppliers. Every journey helped shape La Sponda, from discovering family-run wineries and sourcing exceptional ingredients to selecting handcrafted materials and finding inspiration in the timeless hospitality that defines Italy's most beloved destinations.

Designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the restaurant blends timeless European elegance with the relaxed sophistication of Coconut Grove. Nearly every element throughout the space was thoughtfully sourced from Italy, including handcrafted furnishings, imported stone, custom tables, and artisan finishes. Guests are welcomed into an intimate dining room anchored by crisp white tablecloths, hand-painted architectural details, a baby grand piano, and a private dining room tucked away for special occasions. While the restaurant is rooted in Italian craftsmanship, subtle nods to Coconut Grove can be found throughout the interiors, including custom lamps individually hand-painted by a local artist with illustrations inspired by the neighborhood's iconic peacocks and tropical surroundings. With seating for approximately 120 guests, La Sponda was designed to feel both grand and welcoming, bringing together refined luxury and the warmth of an Italian home.

True to Gioia Hospitality Group's philosophy, service will remain at the heart of the La Sponda experience. Led by an experienced front-of-house team, guests can expect warm, attentive hospitality inspired by the traditions of Italy, where every meal is treated as an occasion and every guest is welcomed like family.

La Sponda will initially open for dinner on Wednesday – Sunday. Reservations will be available on Resy.

Images via The Louis Collection

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Gioia Hospitality Group Behind Daniel's Steakhouse Signs Lease To Open New Waterfront Concept In Edgewater

Gioia Hospitality Group, the South Florida-based hospitality company co-founded by father-daughter duo Thomas and Kassidy Angelo, has officially signed a lease for a new restaurant concept at Aimco’s ultra-luxury development located at 560 NE 34th Street, Unit 101, Miami, FL 33137.

The forthcoming restaurant marks the next chapter of growth for Gioia Hospitality Group, the team behind Michelin Guide–Recommended Daniel's, A Florida Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale, Daniel's Miami, recently ranked No. 40 on the World's 101 Best Steak Restaurants list for 2026, and D's Sports Bar, named Best Sports Bar in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine.The group's portfolio also includes the soon-to-open La Sponda at Vita at Grove Isle.

Located directly on Biscayne Bay, the new waterfront restaurant is projected to open in late 2027 or early 2028. Spanning approximately 11,500 square feet, including 2,500 square feet of outdoor space, the restaurant will anchor the property's ground-floor and feature a dramatic waterfront setting with an outdoor bar positioned directly on the bay. The restaurant will showcase Daniel’s world-class steak program, pristine seafood and an elevated waterfront dining, bringing Gioia Hospitality Group's signature approach to sourcing, hospitality and guest experience to one of Miami's most exciting luxury residential developments.

The restaurant is being designed by Rockwell Group, the internationally acclaimed architecture and design firm founded by David Rockwell, known for designing some of the world's most celebrated restaurants, hotels, cultural institutions and entertainment destinations.

The lease transaction was brokered by Michael Silverman and Jeff Evans of Comras Company.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment for Gioia Hospitality Group and demonstrates our commitment to the South Florida market,” said Thomas Angelo, Co-Founder of Gioia Hospitality Group. “This special location and extraordinary space gives us the opportunity to create something truly special directly on Biscayne Bay. With the tremendous support of Aimco and their team, and the collaboration on the design with Rockwell Group, we are looking forward to developing a restaurant that reflects the best of Miami waterfront dining while staying true to the standards of hospitality, cuisine, and service that define Gioia. A special thank you to Lee Hodges and Aimco CEO Wes Powell and for believing in us and trusting us with this incredible opportunity.”

"I live in Midtown, so this project is especially meaningful to me," said Kassidy Angelo, Co-Founder of Gioia Hospitality Group. "This location allows us to introduce a whole new audience to the hospitality, quality and guest experience we've built at Daniel's, while making it much more accessible for residents of Midtown, Miami Beach and North Miami. We're excited to become part of this neighborhood and create a waterfront destination the community can enjoy for years to come."

“We are thrilled to welcome Gioia Hospitality Group to our waterfront development in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood,” said Wes Powell, CEO of Aimco. “Thomas, Kassidy, and their team have built a strong reputation for delivering exceptional dining experiences in South Florida, and their vision for this waterfront concept aligns perfectly with the standard of luxury, design, and lifestyle we are creating. We believe this restaurant will become a defining amenity for the property and a destination for the broader Miami community.”

Additional details on the restaurant’s name, culinary direction, and opening timeline will be announced at a later date.

Images via Louis Collection