Two Iconic Historic Buildings are Rejuvenated as Hotspots
In 2023, several nightlife impresarios waived their magic wands transforming two unique landmark buildings into incredible scenester hotspots. First up, first half of the year, was the transformation of the old Paris Theater in South Beach into Queen Miami Beach. The second half of 2023 brought the revitalization of the Miami Women’s Club ground floor into Casadonna.
So what makes these two very different, but equally unique places so special?
Both are architectural wonders with magnificent exterior & interior spaces that are now decked out with dynamic décor serving fabulous food to satisfy foodie aficionados’ appetites. And extraordinary entertainment is the icing on the cake.
QUEEN MIAMI BEACH
Queen is an uber-exclusive modern Japanese restaurant and lounge. It is a nostalgic world of elegance, glamour, power, and magnificence. It breathes new life into the iconic Paris Theater, built in 1945, restoring its original glory with over-the-top 21st century splendor. The nostalgic design emulates opulence and allure, honoring the glam of the past, while envisioning the mystique of the future. From the Rat Pack era of the 1950’s to the hedonistic nights of the 1990’s, the Paris Theater has evolved with the times and is reborn for a new generation via Queen Miami Beach. The goal is to elevate nightlife to a new era of posh, Miami has yet to see.
Acclaimed interior designer, Samy Chams, is the visionary behind the project, meticulously designing the space and taking guests on the extravagant journey as they move through the curved Art Deco passageway entrance corridor to the elegant Salon Lounge before reaching Queen’s transformative main dining room. There are also mezzanine levels and an elevated members-only VIP Lounge.
World-renowned Chef Julien Jouhannaud serves as Chief Culinary Officer overseeing local Executive Chef Mitchell Hesse. Together the pair has created a carefully curated menu that blissfully marries French techniques with Japanese ingredients. Dishes range from small plates to a curated raw and marinated section to sushi platters and seafood towers, which segue into heartier main courses followed by desserts that are both sculptural and elegant. There is an extensive cocktail program as well as world-class wine and champagne lists.
The Salon Lounge area houses the main bar while a covert Omakase Counter lives on the second floor. While the décor and gourmet offerings may seem like the main course, it’s the upscale audience of beautiful people that adds to the overall ambiance. And the party really gets started at Queen when the live acrobatic show happens. A female performer dangling from ropes in front of the sensational gold iris does her magic, mesmerizing guests seated in their cushy banquettes. Dancing on the center stage is de rigueur for this avante-garde clientele who like to see and be seen. Matthieu Massa, entrepreneur, restaurateur, and sole owner of Queen Miami Beach said, “Our goal is to create the most beautiful, interesting, diverse and fun mix of people possible, on any given night.”
CASADONNA
Casadonna, a new Miami restaurant with Italian Riviera flair, is a first-of-its-kind partnership between two hospitality/nightlife guru groups, Groot Hospitality and Tao Group Hospitality. It recently opened its doors in late October in Miami’s emerging Edgewater neighborhood alongside Biscayne Bay. It is in a waterfront 1926 landmark building that houses the Miami Women’s Club that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The name plays homage to the Women’s Club with Casa meaning ‘home’ and donna meaning ‘woman’ translated from Italian to English.
The Casadonna cuisine is Riviera-style Italian cooking with culinary techniques found in seaside towns like Naples, Taormina, and Positano. Signature dishes include Crispy Young Artichoke, Royal Dorade Aqua Pazza, Bistecca Fiorentina and a selection of pastas. A comprehensive crudo bar elevates the aperitivo in tandem with traditional antipasti starters.
The design spearheaded by Ken Fulk in collaboration with owners, David Grutman, Noah Tepperberg and Jason Strauss, agreed upon a grand palazzo aesthetic with a playful palette of pinks and blues. They wanted to have a sense of discovery as guests walk through the place like walking in a home from room to room. There is the Courtyard Bar, Garden Dining Room, Loggia Dining Room, and Ocean Bar and Lounge. A DJ booth is also here, but not the main event. It is meant for background music for the hybrid of fine dining and social dining. Designer Fulk mentioned that “The intoxicating part about Miami is the fact that you can live outside,” so he created an open-air living room on the terrace for alfresco dining and drinking.
With the exclusive VIP and collaboration partners’ rosters, celebrity encounters have become commonplace at Casadonna.
To make a reservation, please click on the provided links below.
Queen Miami Beach : https://queenmiamibeach.com/
Casadonna: https://casadonnamiami.com/