The name, Italian for "The Shore," points to the restaurant's waterfront location and Mediterranean influence. The menu will be rooted in seasonal ingredients with dishes inspired by the Italian coastline. Service will include weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and nightly dinner. Interiors are by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the firm behind Soho Beach House Miami and Annabel’s in London, with plans for layered textures and European-inspired details with, of course, those legendary Biscayne Bay views. The restaurant will be open to the public, with direct access for Vita residents and club members.
Building on a Busy Year
La Sponda follows Gioia’s July 23 debut of Daniel’s Miami at 1500 San Ignacio Ave. The Coral Gables steakhouse opened in the former Fiola Miami space, which closed in June after six years.Fiola Miami, launched in 2018 as a partnership between Gioia and chef Fabio Trabocchi, was known for its seasonal Italian menu and polished service. Daniel’s Miami shifts the focus to a steak program alongside seafood towers, house-made pastas, and a redesigned bar for walk-in guests.
The original Daniel’s in Fort Lauderdale opened in late 2024 and was added to the Michelin Guide within six months. The Coral Gables location carries over much of Fiola’s leadership team - founder Thomas Angelo, Kassidy Angelo, culinary director Danny Ganem, operations director Scott Ozler, and wine director Daniel Bishop - along with the wine program that earned Fiola plenty of Wine Spectator acclaim.
The menu will be rooted in seasonal ingredients with dishes inspired by the Italian coastline. Service will include weekday lunch, weekend brunch, and nightly dinner.
CMC Group rendering
A New Chapter in Grove Isle Dining
Over the years, Grove Isle has been home to a series of notable restaurants. Mark's in the Grove opened in the late 1990s by chef Mark Militello, but wasn’t open long. Baleen followed as a well-known upscale waterfront spot before relocating off the island. Gibraltar replaced Baleen in the early 2010s with high-end dining and romantic views. Palmeiras Beach Club was the most recent major concept, part of the resort’s contemporary updates in the mid-2010s.La Sponda is set to join that list as Vita's flagship restaurant. It will anchor a property with 65 residences, 12 penthouses, pools, tennis courts, and a spa.
La Sponda. 4 Grove Isle Dr., Miami; vitagroveisle.com. Opening 2026.
