Last October, Groot Hospitality and Tao Group unveiled Casadonna – an elegant waterfront destination located in Miami’s Edgewater neighborhood. Inspired by its historic origins as an iconic women’s club, Casadonna covers an impressive 20,000-square-foot space complete with indoor, outdoor, and bar seating areas.
Riviera-style Italian cooking takes center stage while the calm waters of Biscayne Bay shimmer behind. From its exquisite decor to its delectable menu, the venue stands out as an indispensable gem of local gastronomy.
Coastal Italian Cuisine
Casadonna Restaurant epitomizes Miami’s signature blend of modern energy with coastal charm. If you can’t take my word for it, simply google “is Casadonna in Miami good?” and see what everyone’s saying. Recently opened, this extraordinary dining experience brings patrons seamlessly into a world of culinary artistry inspired by coastal Italy; Casadonna serves Riviera-style dishes in an exceptional setting.
Casadonna is the vision of David Grutman of Groot Hospitality and Noah Tepperberg of Tao Group Hospitality – two leading hospitality groups based out of Miami-Dade County. Situated in Edgewater, its 20,000-square-foot Mediterranean Revival building once housed the Women’s Club but now hosts contemporary seafood dining with stunning views of Biscayne Bay.
Casadonna takes its name from the historic structure it now occupies; Casadonna is a portmanteau of two Italian words meaning “house of the woman.” This female-centric concept and decor pay homage to Women’s Club’s history of community empowerment.
The Riviera-style restaurant serves dishes inspired by coastal regions such as Naples and Positano, such as crispy young artichoke, royal dorade, Bistecca Fiorentina, and handmade pasta options such as campanelle bolognese. Additionally, an impressive wine list with rare vintages as well as contemporary selections is offered, quickly making this venue one of the favorites among some of Naples and Positano’s most notable socialites and celebrities.
Sophisticated Beverage Selections
Casadonna, Groot Hospitality’s inaugural coastal Italian-inspired restaurant, and Tao Group Hospitality’s inaugural coastal Italian-themed project pays a luxurious ode to Miami’s historic Edgewater neighborhood. The name, which is an anagram for “house of the woman” from its previous incarnation as Miami Women’s Club, pays a nod to this historic building’s past identity as a club for women; designed by Fulk – who also worked on Strawberry Moon for them – presents an unabashedly feminine take on old Hollywood glamor.
Fulk used dramatic lighting to bring this 20,000-square-foot space alive – from outdoor vaulted bar entryway, garden-inspired loggia dining room, intimate lounges leading to Ocean Bar and waterside Ocean Bar, Fulk created a lavish experience for every space in his 20,000-square-foot restaurant. Fulk used chandeliers, “floating lanterns,” rich blues, and dusty pink hues as accent colors to highlight each element in each room of this lavish affair.
Michael Gucfa of Lavo Singapore oversees an innovative menu that takes inspiration from coastal Italian cuisine, featuring dishes such as Riviera-inspired grilled octopus and risotto nero – traditional dishes updated with modern touches – on offer at this restaurant. For lighter fare options such as raw crudo (https://guide.michelin.com/sg/en/article/dining-out/how-to-distinguish-raw-meat-dishes) selection or salad options; couples are also invited to share one of Lavo Singapore’s impressive 36-ounce dry-aged tomahawk steak offerings!
Stylish Atmosphere
Casadonna delighted crowds during its inaugural week by serving Riviera-style cuisine in an exquisite space designed by Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality, both powerhouses of Miami scene-sters. Spanning over 20,000 square feet – double height atrium bar and large outdoor living room style terrace – with plenty of room to lounge, dine, and sip expertly crafted cocktails and wines, Casadonna quickly established itself as one of Miami’s premiere scene spots.
Grutman and Fulk collaborated with AD100 designer Ken Fulk from AD100 Designer Ken Fulk of AD100 Designer Ken Fulk on Goodtime Hotel in South Beach to craft an opulent atmosphere at Women’s Club building, emphasizing its feminine history by using dusty pink and blue colors with an emphasis on lush flora.
Fulk’s strategy for designing his restaurant involves treating it as a series of interconnected rooms that slowly reveal themselves over time, in keeping with its Italian name which translates as the House of the Woman.
Celebrity Spotlight
At Miami’s vibrant Edgewater neighborhood lies Casadonna – a coastal Italian-inspired restaurant that blends time-honored tradition with modern flair. An unprecedented collaboration between hospitality powerhouses Groot Hospitality led by local entrepreneur David Grutman and Tao Group Hospitality (known for their club-like eateries around the world), Casadonna occupies the historic Mediterranean Revival building that once housed Women’s Club of Miami; with Ken Fulk designing an experience bursting with femininity as its inspiration.
Fulk’s vision captures the spirit of Miami culture while honoring the Women’s Club heritage. Using dusty pink and blue hues, Fulk created an inviting 20,000 square-foot space featuring double-height atrium bar seating and expansive outdoor lounge space – as well as an extensive wine list to complement Riviera-style Italian food.
Since Casadonna opened its doors to Miami residents and travelers alike in late October, it has quickly become a must-visit spot. From Riviera-style cuisine and sophisticated cocktails to possibly catching sight of celebrities passing through town, guests continue to flock to Casadonna.
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