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La Sponda Opened at Vita at Grove Isle

The new Italian restaurant launched with a 450-bottle wine list.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Dining Out

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La Sponda, a new Italian restaurant featuring Australian Wagyu and a 450-bottle wine list, has officially opened at the Vita at Grove Isle in Miami. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Diners at the Vita at Grove Isle building now have a new option as La Sponda has officially opened its doors. The restaurant features a menu of Australian Wagyu and seafood dishes developed through research across Italy.

Why it matters

The opening brings a new destination dining experience to Grove Isle, with early demand shown by strong sales on the restaurant's first night.

The restaurant recorded $20,000 in wine sales on its opening night with a 450-bottle list. Management plans to expand this collection to 550 bottles by the end of its first week.

The players

Thomas Angelo

Owner of the Gioia Hospitality Group that launched La Sponda.

Kassidy Angelo

Co-owner of the Gioia Hospitality Group and partner in the new restaurant.

The details

La Sponda occupies a curved space within the Vita at Grove Isle building. Owners Thomas and Kassidy Angelo developed the wine list and menu after conducting research trips across Italy. The restaurant is the latest addition to the city's hospitality scene, joining a market that has seen recent high-end openings in neighboring municipalities like Coral Gables.

Timeline

  1. September 19, 2026: La Sponda opened in Miami.

  2. First week of service: Wine list planned to reach 550 bottles.

Beyond the 305

This opening mirrors the trend of high-end culinary growth seen in the region, such as the 2025 opening of Daniel's Miami in Coral Gables. La Sponda continues this local expansion of curated dining experiences.

Residents and visitors looking for a new dining spot at Grove Isle can now visit the restaurant. Those interested in the wine list can expect to see an expanded selection of 550 bottles available by the end of the restaurant's first week.

The takeaway

The opening of La Sponda marks a significant new addition to the dining landscape at Grove Isle. Diners can check the restaurant's evolving wine list to see how the selection grows throughout the initial weeks of service.

Further reading

For more on the latest restaurant openings, explore our Dining Out coverage.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Wine Spectator.

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