Kings of hospitality David Grutman and Noah Tepperberg are “nervous” for the grand opening of their first collaboration, Casadonna.
Set to host a private soft opening Friday night, the Groot Hospitality and Tao Group founders tell exclusively that, despite their decades-long experience in the restaurant industry, they’re anxious for their joint foray.
“If you don’t get nervous, something is wrong,” says Tepperberg, whose restaurants include Tao, Lavo and Cathédral.
“I spiral,” adds Grutman. “I can’t eat. Can I get one more day?”
The pair are bringing in members of their teams from their other restaurants so they’ll have the “best players on the field.”
“With any sort of team sport or ensemble cast you’ve got to practice,” Grutman says.
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Grutman’s wife, Isabela Rangel, will also use the highly anticipated restaurant to host a fashion show Saturday night for her eponymous brand.
An al fresco Italian restaurant that sits on the Miami bay, Casadonna is Tepperberg’s entrance into South Florida’s nightlife scene, which he wouldn’t have done without his best friend, whose portfolio includes Papi Steak, Komodo, Gekkō and Swan.
“We’ve been waiting decades to find the right project to enter the Miami market, but I always knew I’d do it with Dave,” Tepperberg, 48, shares.
“It’s a serious investment — not just money but but also time.”
The Casadonna menu features a wide variety of homemade pastas, fresh fish and in-house made desserts, but both Grutman and Tepperberg have picked out their favorite dishes.
Grutman, 49, recommends the campanelle pasta with a white bolognese, while Tepperberg encourages diners — who no doubt will eventually include regulars such as Kim Kardashian, the Beckhams and more — to try the prime beef or the cacio e pepe.
“My son’s a picky eater, and he loved the [cacio],”…
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