Spicy Hospitality Group (SHG) officially welcomed Le Specialità to Miami with back-to-back grand opening dinners on November 5 and 6, 2025. The events, presented by World Red Eye and Reserva de la Familia Tequila, introduced the legendary Milanese restaurant to its new home in the Miami Design District ahead of its public opening on Monday, November 10.

Hosted by SHG Founder Andre Sakhai alongside Marc Lotenberg and Seth Browarnik, the invitation-only dinners drew a curated guest list spanning Miami's art world, tech sector, real estate developers, and entertainment industry.

From Milan to Miami

Le Specialità has been a fixture in Milan since 1977, when it opened on Via Pietro Calvi. For nearly five decades, the restaurant has represented what many consider the quintessential Milanese dining experience: straightforward but excellent food, personal service, and a commitment to Italian tradition.

The Miami location represents the restaurant's first expansion outside Italy, made possible through SHG's exclusive North American partnership with the original establishment. This marks the second opening for Spicy Hospitality Group, following The Joyce in Miami Beach earlier this year.

The Grand Opening Experience

Guests arrived to Italian Margaritas made with Reserva de la Familia Tequila and Limoncello Spritzes. Passed appetizers included Wagyu Meatballs, Salmon Tartare Bites, and Rosemary Potato Pavé topped with caviar.

The seated multi-course dinner featured classic Italian preparations: Bruschetta e Burrata, Cacio e Pepe, and Ricotta Truffle Ravioli. Dessert included Tiramisu and Bombolonis, the Italian filled doughnuts.

After dinner service concluded, the restaurant transitioned into an after-hours gathering where guests moved through the space with cocktails while a DJ played.

The Design and Art

The Rockwell Group handled the interior design, creating what the restaurant describes as "radical retro-chic" aesthetics that blend Milan's sophistication with Miami's energy. The space features sweeping curves and terrazzo finishes, materials that reference both Italian design history and Miami's architectural heritage.

Andre Sakhai curated an art collection for the restaurant that includes works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, KAWS, and Rashid Johnson, alongside vintage Italian photography from his personal archives. The collection turns the dining room into something closer to a gallery space where guests eat surrounded by museum-quality pieces.

Who Showed Up

The guest list represented a cross-section of Miami's power players. Alex Gartenfeld, director of the Institute of Contemporary Art, attended alongside fashion designer Esteban Cortázar. The tech world sent Brad Garlinghouse (CEO of Ripple) and Jon Oringer (founder and executive chairman of Shutterstock).

Real estate was heavily represented with Alex Witkoff (CEO of Witkoff Group), Michael Liebowitz (CEO of Douglas Elliman Real Estate), and Russell Galbut (managing principal of Crescent Heights). The hospitality scene included David Grutman, founder of Groot Hospitality, and Justin Landau, co-founder of El Car Wash.

Entertainment brought actress Claire Holt, film director Michael Bay, model Devon Windsor, and international DJ Blond:ish. Entrepreneurs Rohan Marley (founder of Marley Coffee) and Don Peebles Jr (chairman and CEO of The Peebles Corporation) rounded out the diverse attendance.

What's on the Menu

Le Specialità Miami stays true to its Milanese roots while adapting to local tastes. The menu centers on the restaurant's famous pizza offerings, supplemented by handmade pastas, seasonal antipasti, and contemporary Italian dishes.

The wine program features 260 labels, with a focus on rare Burgundy and Bordeaux vintages alongside an extensive selection of Italian wines including Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello di Montalcino. This represents a serious investment in wine inventory, suggesting the restaurant is positioning itself at the higher end of Miami's dining scene.

Spicy Hospitality Group's Vision

SHG was founded in 2024 by investor and art collector Andre Sakhai. The company's approach treats restaurants as cultural spaces where cuisine, art, and design intersect. Rather than just opening eateries, the group aims to create what it calls "storytelling" experiences.

The Joyce in Miami Beach and now Le Specialità establish SHG's footprint in South Florida, but the company has bigger plans. It's targeting expansion into New York and Los Angeles, with ambitions to bring more international restaurant concepts to American markets while also developing original brands.

The group describes its mission as "hospitality as a form of cultural expression," which translates to restaurants that function as much as destination experiences as places to simply eat dinner.

Location and Opening

Le Specialità is located at 40 NE 41st Street in the Miami Design District, a neighborhood that's become a hub for luxury retail, contemporary art galleries, and upscale dining over the past decade. The location puts the restaurant within walking distance of established names like Michael's Genuine Food & Drink and newer arrivals in Miami's competitive restaurant market.

The restaurant opens to the public on Monday, November 10. For more information, visit lespecialitamia.com or follow @lespecialita_mia on Instagram.

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