Gioia Hospitality Group opened La Sponda on September 19 at Vita at Grove Isle, a waterfront condominium development in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood. The Italian restaurant is the latest venture from father-daughter duo Thomas and Kassidy Angelo, who also operate Daniel’s steakhouses in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, and D’s Sports Bar in Fort Lauderdale.
La Sponda is the group’s first Italian concept. It draws on the Angelo family’s roots in the Italian region of Puglia as well as their years of travel throughout Italy, often alongside chef Danny Ganem and beverage director Daniel Bishop. They immersed themselves in regional culinary traditions and built relationships with producers, winemakers, artisans, and suppliers.
“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,” Thomas 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.”
Martin Brudnizki Design Studio designed the 120-seat restaurant.
Ganem’s menu features antipasti and crudo, house-made pastas, seafood, and regional Italian specialties. A few standout dishes include fritto misto (fried seafood), caviar carbonara, linguine with Maine lobster, wagyu short rib cannelloni, a whole branzino, and a 42-ounce bistecca Fiorentina.
The wine list puts particular emphasis on Italian regions like Piedmont, Tuscany, Sicily, and Puglia, and the cocktail menu features riffs on Italian classics like spritzes and the Garibaldi (Campari and orange juice).
Martin Brudnizki Design Studio designed the 120-seat restaurant, using imported Italian stone, custom furnishings, and hand-painted details for the space. The dining room features white tablecloths and a baby grand piano. Custom lamps decorated with illustrations of Coconut Grove’s peacocks and tropical surroundings bring a local touch.
The menu draws on the founders’ roots in Puglia and their travels through Italy.
La Sponda’s opening comes as Gioia Hospitality Group prepares for further expansion in Miami. The company recently signed a lease for a new waterfront restaurant on Biscayne Bay, with an anticipated opening in late 2027 or early 2028.
The new as-yet-unnamed restaurant will occupy approximately 11,500 square feet, including 2,500 square feet of outdoor space, and feature an outdoor bar overlooking the bay. It’s being designed by Rockwell Group, and the company said its menu will feature Daniel’s steak program, seafood, and elevated dining.
“I live in Midtown [near Biscayne Bay], so this project is especially meaningful to me,” said Kassidy Angelo. “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.”