Donna Mare Italian Chophouse: A New Jewel in Miami Beach’s Culinary Scene
Donna Mare Italian Chophouse: A New Jewel in Miami Beach’s Culinary Scene
Adjacent to Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club along the Miami Beach Boardwalk, Donna Mare Italian Chophouse is Miami Beach’s latest authentic Italian restaurant where Old World charm meets contemporary sophistication. The intimate dining space was designed by New York designer Melissa Bowers, who has orchestrated a visual feast with velvet draperies and leather furniture with brass accents. At the center stands an olive tree, creating a welcoming, spirited environment perfect for romantic dinners or lively gatherings with friends.
In the kitchen, Milan-born Executive Chef Luigi Iannuario brings the soul of Italy to every plate. His experience, shaped under Michelin-starred masters, translates into a menu that honors tradition while embracing innovation. Consider the Mortadella Pizza ($24), where creamy Puglian burrata melts into pistachio pesto atop a crust born from 50-year-old mother yeast – a living testament to generations of Italian craft. The 45-ounce Fiorentina Steak ($214) commands attention with its perfected tenderness, while the Veal Cotoletta alla Milanese ($34) pays homage to the chef’s Milanese roots with milk-fed veal paired with arugula and tomatoes. Even seemingly familiar dishes reach new heights. For example, the Donna Mare Chicken Parm ($36) has a blend of five distinguished cheeses.
The pasta program, led by sfoglina Elena Montanari, produces dishes like the Lobster Chitarra ($70), where house-made pasta embraces tender Maine lobster in a sauce simmered for 12 hours.
On February 14, Donna Mare will present a specially curated four-course menu ($199++ per couple) for Valentine’s Day. The evening unfolds with shared plates: Big-Eye Tuna Tartare, crowned with pearls of caviar and potato beignets, and Roasted Baby Beets, accompanied by hazelnuts and strawberries and dressed with espresso vinaigrette. The first course presents a delicious dilemma: Choose the Tagliolini Scampi, where langoustines meet cherry tomatoes, or the unique Risotto al Cioccolato Bianco, where white chocolate and smoked salmon create an unexpected harmony. The main course offers equally enticing options: Wagyu Filet Mignon draped in chianti reduction or Basil-Crusted Chilean Sea Bass. The sweet finale arrives as a sophisticated combination: Chocolate and Passion Mousse.
Pair your dinner with a glass or bottle from the restaurant’s curated wine list, which includes bold Barolos and refreshing albariños, or an artful cocktail like the Velvet Sgroppino ($22).
Whether dining for romance or savoring Italian cuisine, Donna Mare Italian Chophouse is a sanctuary of connection, refinement and flavor. For reservations, visit donnamare.com or OpenTable. Follow @donnamaremiami for more!
