Spicy Hospitality Group, the hospitality collective at the intersection of cuisine, culture, and design—and the team behind The Joyce, with several forthcoming concepts in Miami, New York, and California—announces the U.S. debut of Le Specialità in the Miami Design District.
A Milanese institution since 1977, Le Specialità is celebrated for its authentic Italian cooking, trattoria spirit, and iconic pizza—a local gem where honest food is elevated by grounded hospitality, exceptional ingredients, and a touch of glamour.
Since opening on Via Pietro Calvi nearly five decades ago, Le Specialità has defined the Milanese dining experience: simple yet sophisticated, seasonal, and rooted in the finest ingredients. Guided by the Italian philosophy that food, wine, and hospitality are extensions of art and lifestyle, the restaurant captures the balance between Italian familiarity and fine-dining precision, where hospitality feels effortless and deeply human. Its Miami outpost carries this legacy forward, channeling the creative pulse of its new home to create a setting where art meets taste. Here, the neighborhood trattoria elevates the most genuine, laid-back Italian dining experience through uncompromising quality, bridging Milan’s timeless dining culture with the city’s ever-evolving energy.
“Bringing Le Specialità to the U.S. marks a major milestone for Spicy Hospitality Group. The restaurant has long been a cornerstone of Milan’s dining culture and the Miami Design District is the ideal setting for its American debut, reflecting our vision to build a collection of restaurants that embody the creativity, ambition, and energy of this city.” – said Andre Sakhai, Principal & Founder, Spicy Hospitality Group in a statement.
MENU & BEVERAGE PROGRAM
At the heart of Le Specialità’s legacy is its dedication to simplicity and excellence. The restaurant’s approach to Italian cuisine emphasizes seasonality, quality, and authenticity, honoring the traditions that have defined its Milanese roots while introducing new creations inspired by Miami’s international palate.
The menu spans a refined selection of housemade pastas, seafood, and meats, complemented by the restaurant’s signature pizza offerings, a hallmark of its Milanese heritage. Known for transforming the classic pizza into a local legend—light, crisp, and precisely leavened—Le Specialità brings that same craftsmanship to Miami with selections including the Margherita, Truffle Pizza, and Piccantissimi with chili pepper pesto and pine nuts.
The secondi offerings pay homage to timeless Italian preparations with dishes such as Branzino alla Siciliana, Dover Sole Meunière, and Veal Milanese, each executed with balance and precision. The menu concludes with a selection of refined Italian desserts, including house-made gelato in pistachio, dark chocolate, nocciola, vanilla, crema italiana, and salted caramel, as well as a classic tiramisu layered with mascarpone mousse, espresso, ladyfingers, and cocoa.
The beverage program is anchored by a 260-label wine list rooted in Italy’s most renowned regions and complemented by select vintages from Burgundy and Bordeaux—among them 1990 Le Pin, 1986 Pétrus, and 1952 Pavie. The list features an exceptional collection of Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello di Montalcino dating back three decades. The program is rounded out by signature cocktails such as the Milano Mai Tai, Fragola Basilico, and Espresso Italiano, each designed to pair seamlessly with the menu.
ART & DESIGN
Central to the concept is an eclectic art collection curated by Andre Sakhai, featuring vintage Italian photography alongside works from his personal archives, including pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, KAWS, Rashid Johnson, Peter Saul, Joel Mesler, John Wesley, Takashi Murakami, and Richard Prince. Together, these elements create an atmosphere that captures the artistic soul of Milan and the character of its new Miami home.
“The art sets the tone for the whole space. It’s what brings personality and depth to the design. We wanted pieces that felt authentic to Milan but still made sense in Miami—something timeless, bold, and unexpected. The collection helps tell the story of two cultures that share a love for creativity, color, and expression.” — Andre Sakhai, Principal & Founder, Spicy Hospitality Group.
For its Miami debut, Spicy Hospitality Group enlisted the architecture and design firm Rockwell Group to create a space where Milan meets Miami. Drawing from Milan’s radical design movement of the 1960s and 1970s and Miami’s colorful, celebratory culture, the interiors embrace a “radical retro chic” ethos—sophisticated yet playful, glamorous yet unpretentious.
“The design concept for Le Specialita blends the bold, playful, and artistic spirit of Milan in the 1960s and 70s with the rich, dynamic, and festive culture of present-day Miami. Sweeping curves and oversized graphic elements define each space in the restaurant.” – David Rockwell, Founder and President, Rockwell Group.
Guests first encounter the 100-seat restaurant through a lively cluster of sidewalk seating before entering a dynamic interior defined by sweeping curves, bold geometries, and rich textures. Standout elements include:
- A green lavastone bar set with red leather stools, backed by a glowing mirrored wine wall with champagne-nickel accents.
- Terrazzo floors embedded with metal stripe inlay, echoing the diagonal wood beams above, nodding to Milan’s Supergraphic era.
- A dramatic pizza oven clad in black-and-white terrazzo mosaic, framed by a wood butcher block chef’s bar that allows guests to witness the action up close.
- Dining areas punctuated by striped leather booths inspired by vintage Ferraris, lavastone tabletops, and bold lacquered finishes.
- Custom furnishings and fixtures sourced in collaboration with Artemest, the destination gallery for Italian design and décor
The powder rooms serve as whimsical “portals” between Milan and Miami, with colorful chandeliers, pink terrazzo, and pastel custom mirrors. The outdoor terrace extends the vibrant atmosphere with striped canopies, colorful upholstery, and space for casual al fresco dining.
