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Miami Herald

The steakhouse that took Fort Lauderdale by storm is opening in Coral Gables

When the owner of Fiola in Coral Gables announced in May that the restaurant was closing, longtime customers were surprised. The restaurant was considered one of the best Italian spots in town, known for its impeccable service, consistently good menu and an award-winning wine list. Now, diners will get the chance to experience the newest creation from Gioia Hospitality, already a hit in Fort Lauderdale. Daniel's steakhouse opens this week in the former Fiola location, with a brand new menu and a few aesthetic changes. But the heart of the restaurant hasn't changed much at all, according to owner Tom Angelo, founder of Gioia Hospitality. 'The team is completely intact, both front and back of house,' he said, adding that Gioia's culinary director Danny Ganem, and beverage director Daniel Bishop are along for the ride, along with Angelo's daughter and partner Kassidy. 'We're ready. We're very excited.' Daniel's, a concept that first opened in Fort Lauderdale in October of 2024, has already accomplished a lot in its first year, earning a spot in the 2025 Michelin Guide and opening the popular D's Sports Bar next door. Don't even think about popping in without a reservation on game night. The menu focuses on steak, obviously, offering a variety of different cuts including Australian wagyu and a wagyu prime rib that's prepared tableside in a nod to classic hospitality. But Fiola regulars will spot some old favorites on the menu, too, such as the rigatoni vodka and the basil Caesar salad, a Fiola specialty. What's new are twists on steakhouse classics: a rich lobster mac and cheese, oysters Rockefeller that use the delicate flavors of watercress instead of the usual mound of spinach, an artful crab cake that is most definitely not stuffed with filler. Also on the menu is the stunning corn pudding side dish, better than it has any right to be for such a modest name. Aside from a shift in the color scheme to a rich, dark green, which evokes and reinforces the steakhouse concept, the biggest change is the conversion of the bar into a more casual space. For starters, it now has two TVs. 'A good friend once asked, 'Can you roll in a portable TV so we can watch the Dolphins game?' ' Angelo said. 'That was feedback we got a lot — that people couldn't watch the Dolphins on Sunday, and they wanted to.' Now they can. Bar patrons can order from the regular Daniel's menu or the more affordable bar menu, which will include Chef Ganem's double patty smashburger, wagyu beef empanadas, cacio y pepe and the French dip sandwich from D's, which is one of the best on the earth. In another nod to affordability, Daniel's will be part of Miami Spice, the annual promotion that offers fixed price three-course menus at restaurants from August through September. Daniel's will offer lunch, dinner and brunch menus as well as a special five-course wagyu tasting experience. If it's half as good as last summer's pasta omakase special, it will be a hit. So many Fiola guests visited Daniel's in Fort Lauderdale that Angelo is confident the concept will find an audience. 'There are a lot of great Italian restaurants in Coral Gables,' he said. 'But a world-class steak house is missing, and I think we're going to provide that.' 'I think people will continue to come to the restaurant because they'll see the same level of hospitality as they did before,' he said. 'I think we'll resonate with them.' Daniel's Miami Where: 1500 San Ignacio Ave., Coral Gables Opening: July 23 Reservations: Resy