Gioia Hospitality Group’s newest restaurant blends Italian family heritage, handmade pasta, an ambitious wine program, and waterfront dining at Vita at Grove Isle.
Miami’s dining scene has welcomed a new taste of Italy with the arrival of La Sponda, the latest concept from Gioia Hospitality Group, which opened September 19 at CMC Group’s Vita at Grove Isle.
The restaurant marks the hospitality group’s first venture into Italian cuisine, following the success of Daniel’s Miami and Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse. But La Sponda isn’t simply another addition to the portfolio. For founders Thomas Angelo and Kassidy Angelo, the restaurant is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from their family’s southern Italian heritage and years spent traveling throughout Italy.
Thomas Angelo’s family roots in Puglia serve as an emotional starting point for the concept, alongside memories of family kitchens, meals shared around the table, and trips through Italy with his children.
“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,” Angelo said. “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.”
From Italy to the Miami Waterfront
Leading the kitchen is Chef Danny Ganem, who worked alongside the Angelos to translate those memories and travels into a menu that moves through different regions of Italy.
Fresh pasta is made in-house daily, joined by crudo, antipasti, pristine seafood, and dishes inspired by both family traditions and regional Italian cooking.
Among the highlights is Spaghetti alla Chitarra al Tartufo, prepared with Burgundy truffles, cultured butter and Parmigiano espuma. Paccheri al Campagnolo pairs Aquanaria branzino with Datterini tomatoes, capers and olives, while Branzino alla Vernaccia brings together Taggiasca olives, potatoes, tomatoes and basil.
For those looking beyond pasta and seafood, the menu also features an Australian L’Grow Ranch Wagyu Bistecca Fiorentina, a Wagyu porterhouse finished with rosemary, Balsamico di Modena and Gioia olive oil.
The menu reflects years of research beyond the kitchen. Thomas and Kassidy Angelo, Ganem and Wine & Beverage Director Daniel Bishop have traveled extensively throughout Italy, developing relationships with producers, winemakers, artisans and suppliers along the way.
Those journeys ultimately influenced everything from the ingredients and wine selections to the materials and atmosphere of La Sponda.
An Italian-Driven Wine Program
Wine plays a central role in the experience.
Under Bishop’s direction, La Sponda’s cellar is globally influenced but firmly anchored in Italy, moving from benchmark Barolo and Barbaresco from Piemonte to Tuscan selections, lighter Etna reds from Sicily, and wines from Puglia that directly reference the Angelo family’s heritage.
The coastal side of Italy is represented through bright, mineral-driven whites reminiscent of destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Taormina and Cinque Terre.
French, Spanish and California producers expand the collection beyond Italy, while select vintages reach back as far as 20 to 25 years. Rather than remaining static, the wine program is expected to evolve according to seasonality and guest preferences.
Italian Inspiration Behind the Bar
The cocktail program carries the same Italian influence while allowing for a more playful interpretation of familiar flavors.
The Summer in Amalfi Spritz combines Martini & Rossi Prosecco, St-Germain, Italicus Aperitivo, Condesa Gin Clásica, and cucumber for a refreshing nod to the Italian coast.
Zio Tony takes the Paper Plane in a more tropical direction with Angel’s Envy Daniel’s Cask Bourbon, Sarti Aperitivo, Amaro Nonino Riserva, passion fruit and lemon.
Then there’s the Garibaldi Fresca, La Sponda’s interpretation of the Italian aperitivo staple, pairing Campari with fluffy pineapple and orange juices.
Together, the wine and cocktail offerings give the beverage program its own identity while maintaining the connection to Italy that runs throughout the restaurant.
Italian Craftsmanship Meets Coconut Grove
The setting is equally considered.
Designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, La Sponda combines European elegance with the more relaxed character of Coconut Grove. Many of the restaurant’s elements were sourced directly from Italy, including handcrafted furnishings, imported stone, custom tables and artisan finishes.
Inside, white tablecloths and hand-painted architectural details establish a sense of classic formality, while a baby grand piano adds another layer to the dining room. A private dining space provides a more intimate setting for celebrations and special occasions.
The design also makes room for its Miami surroundings. Custom lamps were individually hand-painted by a local artist with illustrations inspired by Coconut Grove’s famous peacocks and tropical landscape.
With approximately 120 seats, the restaurant balances the scale of a destination dining room with the warmth and intimacy the Angelos wanted to preserve from the Italian homes and restaurants that inspired it.
Its location adds another dimension. Situated at Vita at Grove Isle, La Sponda brings the concept directly to Miami’s waterfront, continuing Grove Isle’s long history as one of the city’s distinctive dining and lifestyle destinations.
For Gioia Hospitality Group, the restaurant represents an expansion not only into Italian cuisine but into something considerably more personal: a restaurant shaped by family history, travel and the ritual of gathering around a table.
La Sponda is currently open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday, with reservations available through Resy.
La Sponda
Vita at Grove Isle, Miami
Instagram: @LaSpondaMiami
laspondamiami.com