Key Biscayne’s culinary community thankful for the support of the island’s residents
This year has presented the island’s restaurant operators with many challenges and opportunities.
Many culinary operations have struggled, and a few reluctantly closed their doors. Yet, we have seen others thrive. For example, The Golden Hog expanded its business. Costa Med Bistro + Wine in the Square focused inward and worked on menu additions adapted to the industry’s supply chain situation.
With nearly 50 dining establishments of all varieties, Key Biscayne offers quite a selection of places for residents to dine and socialize. Our weekly #tasteofkeybiscayne section – or as Councilmember Ed London calls it, “the island’s dining guide” – is an essential part of our editorial offering. Over the past three years, it has featured many of the island’s restaurants and culinary personalities. More importantly, our relationship with these hardworking and honorable individuals has deepened.
Thanksgiving is when we take stock and show appreciation for the people in our lives. It’s precisely the right moment to ask a few of the Key’s restauranteurs – the kind of people we love covering each week online and in print – to reflect on what they are thankful for.
(The Saturday after Thanksgiving is designated Small Business Saturday, so we ask readers to support and dine at these small businesses.)
The Golden Hog
The Golden Hog switches into another gear with the start of the holiday season, moving from Thanksgiving to the gift-giving season. “Our entire family looks forward to working Thanksgiving Day with our employees and personally thanking our friends and neighbors as they pick up their orders,” said Mariana Tello-Sucre, who, along with her husband Jorge Gonzalez Capiello, owns and operates the establishment’s market and bakery on Harbor Plaza, along with The Donut Gallery.
“We have so much to be thankful for this year,” Gonzalez Capeillo said. “Thanks to the community’s support, we have been able to grow our product offering this year, the latest being the expansion of our bakery and product offering.”
Boater’s Grill and more
Reina Gonzalez, who, with her husband, David Gonzalez and son, Danny Gonzalez, own and operate Boater’s Grill , Lighthouse Café and The Cleat inside Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, said first she is “grateful we live in the United States, a free country.” But it's the customers she most deeply appreciates. “Our customers have become friends, and I speak for the entire team when I say ‘Thank you for the support.’ ”
Reina and David are also thankful for their time with their two granddaughters, Poppy and JoJo.
La Scala Italian Restaurant
Chandra Silva has lived and worked in the island’s gastronomy industry for 43 years and now owns and operates the popular 42-seat La Scala Italian Restaurant in the Arcade Shopping Center. “I’ve been so fortunate to serve so many wonderful people on the island, and we are so thankful for our local clientele, who have become our friends,” DeSilva told Islander News. “We strive to create a place where locals and visitors alike come for a plate of pasta and a glass of wine and leave as friends.”
Costa Med Bistro + Wine
Antonio Braschi, owner and operator of Costa Med Bistro + Wine in The Square, said there are plenty of reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving.
Braschi, who also owns Kazumi in the same shopping center, said, “We are thankful and do not take for granted the trust and confidence (that) our patrons, many of whom we call friends, place on us.”
Operating a high-end establishment means customers expect the best. Braschi, along with Maitre d' Harold Ramirez, shares this commitment. “We won't settle for less than the best for our customers, from the ingredients we use and to the over-the-top level of service our staff strives to provide,” he said, adding:
“Thanksgiving encourages thankfulness, and being thankful is good for us, and I’m grateful to be able to share some time with many of our customers and friends as they dine at our restaurant.”
Tutto Pizza and Pasta
Chef Joao and Luissell Oliveira, owners of Tutto Pizza and Pasta in the Galleria Shopping Center, appreciate the community’s support. “As small business owners, we are thankful for our loyal patrons and the beautiful community of Key Biscayne.”
Bistro Novecento
Javier Cividini, the Argentinean Bistro Novecento operator in the Winn Dixie Shopping Center said, “I am extremely thankful for the group of people that I have worked around me for 14 years. Thanks 900 Key Biscayne!”
Over at Kebo Spanish restaurant in the Key Colony Plaza, Jose Castellano, who owns and operates the restaurant with Ester Tarin, took a global approach to his Thanksgiving message.
“2023 has tested both our individual and collective limits. We’ve seen inflation, food insecurity, the energy crisis,” in addition to “international security conditions.”
Castellanos said 2023 led them to reinvent themselves. “For this Thanksgiving Day, in my humble opinion, I believe it is when we should show the most love...
“If difficult times come,” he added, “it will be upon us to change our current habits, which, with a lot of understanding and respect for others, will make it more bearable for us.”
As for the staff at Islander News, we are thankful for the support of these and all of the island’s culinary artists, and we encourage our readers to continue supporting them.
