14 OctOber 26 - NOvember 1, 2023 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ EDGEWATER GROOT HOSPITALITY OPENS TAO COLLAB, CASADONNA More than half a decade in the making, two of the biggest names in the nation’s hospitality industry will open their first concept together later this month. Casadonna, billed as a first-of-its-kind part- nership between Miami-based Groot Hospital- ity and Las Vegas’ Tao Group Hospitality, is a coastal Italian-inspired establishment set within the historic building that houses the Mi- ami Women’s Club at 1737 N. Bayshore Dr. The restaurant opens on Thursday, October 26. Groot Hospitality founder David Grutman tells New Times the partnership and project is a “legacy space” for his latest endeavor. “Tao Group’s Noah Tepperberg is not only my best friend, but he’s been that person I may call three, four, or five times a day to talk through things. He’s been my rock,” says Grutman. “I’ve had an amazing camaraderie with him my entire career. Now, to have this project together, it’s very special.” For Tepperberg, Casadonna is like a home- coming of sorts for the Tao Group co-CEO. “Having lived in Miami in the ‘90s, start- ing my career in hospitality at the University of Miami, and now doing this project with one of my best friends, there’s nothing big- ger,” Tepperberg tells New Times. “It’s the best double whammy.” Tao Group owns dozens of restaurant and nightlife hot spots across the country, includ- ing Hakkasan, Omnia, and Marquee night- clubs in Las Vegas; Tao Asian Bistro in L.A., Chicago and within the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut; and Lavo Italian restaurant out- posts in London, Singapore, and San Diego. And then there’s Groot Hospitality, a quint- essential Miami-bred success story operating LIV Nightclub, the Goodtime Hotel, and buzzy Miami restaurants including Papi Steak, Komodo, and Gekko. Among its recent en- deavors, Groot Hospitality opened a Komodo outpost in Dallas, and will soon operate LIV, LIV Beach, Papi Steak, and Komodo at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas when the property celebrates its grand opening on December 13. When it opens, Casadonna will be able to accommodate more than 300 diners with a roaming space by designer Ken Fulk. The experience begins with a courtyard bar entry offering guests a secret garden-style ambiance with a retractable roof, arched win- dows, and lush floral components. It carries over to a garden-themed dining room, a sec- ond more refined dining room with parquet wood floors, and the Ocean Bar, which fea- tures multiple lounge areas, all with pan- oramic bay vistas. According to Grutman and Tepperberg, the restaurant took nearly six years to com- plete — a process that included navigating the complexities of working with both historical and waterfront elements. “Beyond Casadonna, it’s been great to see the Edgewater neighborhood re- ally come into its own over these last few years. It’s really its own community and home to so many young profes- sionals,” says Grut- man. “My hope is that this will be their spot.” The initial Casa- donna menu provided to New Times includes shareable plates like a crispy artichoke topped with Amalfi lemon and garlic aioli ($22) and focaccia dazzled with rosemary and Taggiasca olives ($15). Crudo selections include a Wagyu beef carpaccio and amber- jack with passionfruit and olive oil, priced $24 to $55 per plate. Mains include a veal chop with caramel- ized garlic and natural jus ($82) and a bran- zino al sal for two ($165). A favorite for Grutman is the pasta selection, which is “more olive oil than red sauce,” including a scialatelli al limone with caviar ($65) and spa- ghetti with squid ink and lobster ($38). Beyond the October 26 opening, Grutman and Tepperberg are open to future collabora- tions in South Florida and elsewhere. “We’re both known for scaling successful brands, and hopefully, we’ll be able to bring this to other markets,” Grutman shares, men- tioning New York, Las Vegas, Paris, and Lon- don on the list of possible future locations. “Working with friends and family can be touchy, but — in this case — it’s worked out really, really well,” he sums up. “We’re sure to do business together again soon.” Casadonna. 1737 N. Bayshore Dr., Miami; 305-475-2272; casadonnamiami.com. Tuesday through Thursday 6 to 11 p.m., Friday and Sat- urday 6 p.m. to midnight, and Sunday 6 to 10 p.m. JESSE SCOTT ▼ WYNWOOD THE GOLDEN GIRLS KITCHEN EXPERIENCE ARRIVES IN MIAMI Let me tell you a story. Picture it: Wynwood in 2023. You’re eating cheesecake on the la- nai. You’re flirting with hunky older gentle- men at the Rusty Anchor. You’re angry that you have to listen to another St. Olaf story. In other words, you might be having the full Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia expe- rience at the Golden Girls Kitchen, a tempo- rary pop-up restaurant headed for Miami next month. Tickets to the curated, limited- time event go on sale today. After successful stints in Beverly Hills, New York City, San Francisco, and Chicago, the ex- perience makes its Miami debut beginning Fri- day, November 10, at 350 NW 24th St. The fully immersive pop-up restaurant will send fans of all ages back to the 1980s, transporting them into the world of their favorite golden gals. But the Golden Girls Kitchen offers more than a chance to show off your best lusty Blanche pose on Instagram. It’s also a 90-min- ute themed dining experience with — as you may have guessed — plenty of cheesecake. The Golden Girls Kitchen was created by experience curators the Bucket Listers, whose president of experiences, Derek Berry, is a Mi- ami native. He’s also the man behind nostalgic pop-ups that include Saved by the Max, Good Burger, the Malibu Barbie Cafe, and — most recently — the Family Guy Experience. “The Golden Girls show was in Miami, and it was only right for us to bring it back,” Berry observes, who watched the show as a kid with his parents and has returned to it over the years for laughs. “Sometimes, I feel like I’m the fifth one.” Bucket Listers has created other viral events. For its Blockbuster Speakeasy in Los Angeles, guests at a rebuilt Blockbuster Video could grab VHS tapes marked with drink recipes and then “check out” the drinks at the counter. When Bucket Listers posted photos from their previous Golden Girls Kitchen events, fans went wild in the comments, begging them to bring it to Miami. Now, the Golden Girls experience, pre- sented alongside Swarm Events, is finally happening in Wynwood. The event runs through December 31, with multiple reserva- tions available every day but Monday. Each $39 ticket includes a 90-minute reservation, as well as a Golden main plate and a slice of cheesecake. Additional entrées, sides, and desserts are available for an added charge. Then grab a drink from the Rusty Anchor bar, which offers an assortment of specialty cocktails and mocktails, before heading off to explore some photo moments at Golden Girls-approved themed spaces like the lanai, the girls’ cozy kitchen, or even Blanche’s bou- doir. Lastly, check out the pop-up’s exclusive merchandise, ranging from a Chia pet and cookbooks to aprons and mugs. Perhaps the best part? Every 45 minutes, the staff does a group singalong to the most heartwarming theme we can mouth the words to, as well: “Thank You for Being a Friend.” But what sets this pop-up apart from oth- ers is that it’s really focused on dining. “People come to these events and are not expecting the food to be great,” says Berry. “Most pop-ups, a lot of it goes into how it looks. But, at this event, people will notice and appreciate the effort they put into the dishes. The food is as important as the Insta- gram-worthy moments. We take the food and beverages so seriously.” The menu features favorites from the show, be it Sophia’s lasagna al forno (meat or vegan); the Lanai, a Miami-style Cuban sand- wich; Blanche’s Georgia-style cookies; and a bacon-lettuce-potato sandwich in honor of Betty White, who once sold these almost BLTs at a construction site. Perhaps, most importantly, there will be cheesecake available in a variety of flavors. If you want to upgrade your dessert, try the Spi- erheoven krispies (a vegan option is also available), which includes strawberry cheese- cake and chocolate ice cream. A lovable Shady Pines waiter will serve all of the dishes, sides, and sweets. | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café Photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo Casadonna is located inside the historic Miami Women’s Club in Edgewater. “WORKING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN BE TOUCHY, BUT — IN THIS CASE — IT’S WORKED OUT REALLY, REALLY WELL.” Bucket Listers photo The Golden Girls Kitchen will pop up in Miami starting November 10.
