Tao Group Hospitality has become known for its grand restaurants, and the company’s latest is no exception.
The Tao team has collaborated with Groot Hospitality to open Casadonna, a coastal Italian restaurant in Miami right alongside the gleaming waters of Biscayne Bay. The seaside location and marine-influenced design are paired with a menu that focuses on Italian ingredients and techniques, particularly those from towns like Naples and Positano.
“Casadonna is unlike anything we’ve ever done before,” Groot’s founder, David Grutman, said in a statement. “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.”
Signature dishes include crispy young artichoke, royal dorade aqua pazza, and bistecca Fiorentina. A crudo bar—with plates such as langoustine ceviche, tuna carpaccio, and caviar—offers light bites to precede heartier handmade pastas like agnolotti, campanelle Bolognese, and scialatelli al limone (topped with more caviar for good measure). All of that can be paired with the restaurant’s dolce vita–inspired cocktails and extensive wine list, with something for everyone’s liking.
The opening marks Tao Group’s entry into the Miami market, and it’s brought its maximalist tendencies to the Magic City. Located within a Mediterranean-revival building that sits on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Casadonna is a multi-room affair that can seat 366 diners in total. The designer Ken Fulk created discrete spaces that all have their own vibe: The double-height Courtyard Bar is meant to feel like a secret garden, with a retractable roof and second-story arcade. The Loggia Dining Room, meanwhile, showcases parquet wood floors and custom blown-glass chandeliers. In the back, the Ocean Bar leaves room for al fresco dining along the bay-facing terrace.
“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,” Noah Tepperberg, the co-CEO of Tao Group, said in a statement. “David and his team know Miami deeply, and with our combined strengths, I have no doubt Casadonna is going to become an instant classic.”
Given Tao Group’s lengthy list of well-known restaurants around the world, that seems like a safe bet.
Click here to see all the images of Casadonna.