Latest news with #RivieraDiningGroup
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Person Transforming Miami's Dining Scene And Redefining The City's Global Appeal
Robert Rivani in front og SLS LUX In a city that welcomed a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors last year, Robert Rivani is not just riding the wave of Miami's tourism boom—he's helping to shape it. The founder of Black Lion is considered somewhat of a disruptor in South Florida's commercial real estate space, scooping up unloved, underperforming properties during the height of the pandemic, when much of the world believed hospitality was on the brink of collapse. Over the past few years, Rivani has transformed those underutilized spaces into some of Miami's most magnetic dining destinations, helping fuel the city's evolution into a global culinary hotspot. 'The future of Miami is undeniably bright, this is a city writing its own chapter at an extraordinary pace,' said Greg Galy, Founder & CEO of Riviera Dining Group, behind several wildly popular and buzzy hospitality concepts including MILA, the second top independent grossing restaurant in the country. 'Robert has been instrumental in reshaping the city's dining landscape by attracting acclaimed restaurants and reimagining key spaces, he's elevated the region into a hub for luxury and experiential dining.' Rivani's portfolio of tenants includes celebrity-favorite names like Delilah, CATCH, GEKKŌ, and RosaNegra—all brands that attract international clientele and anchor Miami's culinary credibility. Go to TripAdvisor or Eater, and you'll find thousands of glowing reviews, many citing them as 'must-visits' and 'trip highlights.' Reservations are often booked weeks in advance, and celebrity sightings are common. From the 1920s supper club vibe at Delilah Miami complete with live jazz and velvet-clad interiors (famous fans include the Kardashians and Drake), or the open-air rooftop glamour of CATCH Miami Beach, where seafood towers meet skyline views–these are places where travel itineraries revolve around the reservation time. According to Rivani, the restaurants aren't just attracting locals—they're luring tastemakers and travelers from New York, the West Coast, Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. "For me, it's never just about filling space or collecting rent, it's about identifying marquee brands that elevate the entire neighborhood,' says Rivani. 'We're building destinations that draw global attention. Every tenant we bring in acts as a catalyst for cultural and economic growth, contributing lasting value to the area." Over the past few years, Rivani has amassed and now begun selectively selling off a portfolio of over $100 million in South Florida commercial real estate. He recently closed a landmark $38.25 million deal for the Brickell spaces leased to GEKKŌ and RosaNegra–both which will remain operating. The property where CATCH Miami Beach is located traded for a record $28.2 million. Rivani says it's validation for his vision, and a clear sign that Miami has firmly secured its place on the global stage.
Miami Herald
10-02-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
This new French-Mediterranean restaurant from a luxury brand has Brickell buzzing
A hospitality group known for its luxurious, upscale restaurants on Miami Beach and along the Miami River has found a new neighborhood to conquer: Brickell. Now open a little south of Komodo and just a bit north of RosaNegra on Brickell Avenue is Riviera Dining Group's Claudie, a French and Mediterranean restaurant that finds its inspiration in the South of France. Led by founder Gregory Galy, the group is also the brains behind Casa Neos, a glamorous waterfront Mediterranean spot that opened along the Miami River in 2024, and Mila, named last year as one of the most beautiful restaurants in the United States by People magazine and OpenTable. Brickell is the perfect fit for Claudie, Galy said, calling the downtown neighborhood 'one of the city's most dynamic and rapidly growing areas.' 'Brickell is the heartbeat of modern Miami, a vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhood where luxury, culture and a global culinary scene all come together,' he said. 'It attracts an international crowd that values both sophistication and unique dining experiences. Claudie feels right at home here.' The restaurant continues the brand's focus on hospitality and entertainment. Designed by OV & Co. and Lazaro Rosa Violan, Claudie offers a 2,408-square-foot indoor dining room with circular lights as its centerpiece (it's meant, not surprisingly, to evoke the sun's glow along the Cote d'Azur). There's also a private dining room with a Mediterranean-style mural. A bar bridges the dining room with the outdoor terrace, which seats 104 diners, with a fountain and greenery all around. The restaurant's evocation of the South of France is what sets it apart, Galy said. 'It's not just about the food — it's about the entire experience,' he said. 'Every detail is designed to create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and lively.' The food, however, is also not an afterthought. The Riviera group's head of culinary is Chef Michael Michaelidis, whose career began on the French Riviera and went on to include stints at several Michelin-starred restaurants and work with culinary greats like Alain Ducasse and Joël Robuchon. One of the restaurant's signature experiences is a twist on the usual table-side Caesar. Instead of Romaine lettuce and lots of cheese, Claudie offers table-side gazpacho service (with or without vodka). Other items include lobster pate, classic escargot, grilled shrimp truffle toupie macaroni and steak frites. There's also a seafood tower packed with shellfish. The menu may seem elevated (and it is), but Galy sees the restaurant as part of Miami's culinary evolution, a place where diners can slow down and relax as opposed to the high-energy atmosphere of other new upscale restaurants. 'Miami has always been known for its vibrant energy and diverse food culture, but I think there's a growing demand for dining experiences that feel elevated and intimate yet unpretentious,' he said. 'With Claudie, we've captured that balance.' Claudie Where: 1101 Brickell Ave., Suite 113 Hours: 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 5:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday Reservations and more information: or 305-990-1101
