La Sponda Opened at Miami's Vita at Grove Isle

The new Italian restaurant from Gioia Hospitality Group launched with a focus on curated wine and seafood.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Dining Out

Screen-print poster illustration of a wine glass and shellfish, evoking the atmosphere of a refined Italian dining experience. — Gioia Hospitality Group has officially opened La Sponda, an Italian restaurant located within the Vita at Grove Isle building in Miami. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Gioia Hospitality Group officially opened its latest venture, La Sponda, within the Vita at Grove Isle building in Miami. The restaurant features a menu centered on Australian Wagyu and seafood dishes.

Why it matters

The opening marks a new addition to the local culinary scene, with the ownership team drawing directly from research trips taken across Italy to inform the restaurant's distinct menu and wine program.

The restaurant launched with 450 wine selections. Management plans to increase this variety to 550 bottles during the first week of service.

The players

Gioia Hospitality Group

This is a hospitality company owned by Thomas and Kassidy Angelo that manages upscale restaurant properties.

Thomas and Kassidy Angelo

They are the owners of Gioia Hospitality Group and the creators of the new Italian dining concept.

The details

Located in a curved space within the Vita at Grove Isle building, the restaurant highlights a menu and wine list developed after extensive research trips across Italy. The establishment is owned by Thomas and Kassidy Angelo, the founders of Gioia Hospitality Group.

La Sponda opened in Miami on September 19, 2026.
The restaurant plans to reach 550 wine bottles by the end of its first week.

Culture Shift

La Sponda follows the established pattern of luxury developments incorporating upscale dining venues to serve local residents. This move mirrors the broader movement toward integrating fine dining within high-end residential towers to create a destination atmosphere.

Residents of the Vita at Grove Isle building now have direct access to a new Italian dining option located on-site. Visitors to the area should note the restaurant's specific focus on curated wine lists and premium imports like Australian Wagyu.

The takeaway

The restaurant emphasizes a research-backed approach to its menu and wine list. Diners can expect a shifting selection of wines as the inventory grows from 450 to 550 varieties during the inaugural week.