The Art of Fresh Pasta and Pizza at Donna Mare
When a 50-year-old mother yeast meets the dancing flames of a wood-burning oven, magic happens. At Donna Mare Italian Chophouse, nestled alongside the iconic Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club on Miami Beach, this isn't just dinner, it's a celebration of Italian heritage, craftsmanship, and the pure pleasure of gathering around exceptional food.
A Living Legacy in Every Bite
Mamma mia, if you want to know where our Chef Luigi Marco Iannuario's culinary journey began, it was destined from his very first breath in Milano! His mama was stirring a pot of sauce when the little chef decided it was time to make his grand entrance into the world. That kitchen became his sanctuary, where he literally slept as a child and where his culinary dreams were born.
At the heart of Chef Luigi's pizza-making lies a remarkable family treasure: a 50-year-old mother yeast born the same day he was. Created by his grandmother and carefully nurtured through the decades, this living legacy has been the foundation of his family's bread and pizza-making tradition. Luigi's earliest memories are filled with the magic of transforming dough in his grandmother's kitchen, where she taught him to work the ingredients between two wooden chairs, a technique as old as bread-making itself.
Now, he brings this cherished heritage to Miami Beach, along with a unique pizza recipe that marries two distinct styles. His signature dough represents a beautiful marriage of culinary cultures, blending traditional Neapolitan techniques with his family's time-honored methods, a recipe perfected over half a century. Each pizza carries five decades of family tradition in every bubble and char, emerging from our wood-burning oven with the perfect balance of crispy crust and tender, airy interior.
The Art of Pasta-Making
Step into the heart of Donna Mare's kitchen, the pasta room, and watch our Sfoglina's hands dance through flour and egg, transforming simple ingredients into pasta poetry. This isn't just cooking; it's culinary theater that captures the drama and artistry of authentic Italian traditions.
Like any proper Italian famiglia, the kitchen was the heart of everything for Chef Luigi. Under Nonna's loving gaze and his parents' gentle guidance, he learned the sacred traditions of Italian cuisine. The daily rhythm of selecting the most perfect pomodori at the market, mastering the art of rolling pasta just-so, and eventually taking the helm of preparing those beloved family dinners. These weren't just cooking lessons; they were precious moments that planted the seeds of his passion, where he learned that the simplest seasonal ingredients, treated with respect and love, create the most extraordinary flavors.
Experience Fresh Pasta Miami's Way
For those seeking homemade pasta Miami Beach can truly be proud of, Donna Mare offers more than just exceptional dining. Our pasta making class Miami experiences invite you to become part of our extended family, learning the time-honored techniques that have been passed down through generations.
Join us for our monthly series of pasta and pizza-making classes, led by Executive Chef Luigi Iannuario himself, each session delves into authentic Italian techniques, including hand-mixing, shaping, and cutting pasta. It's an intimate journey into the soul of Italian cooking, where you'll discover why fresh pasta Miami enthusiasts consider Donna Mare their home for authentic culinary craftsmanship.
Looking to turn your intimate event into something truly memorable? Book our private pasta workshop experience and discover the art of authentic Italian pasta-making. During this 60-minute private class, guests are welcomed with a glass of Prosecco and guided through the process by Executive Chef Iannuario himself. The workshop ends with a three-course tasting menu featuring an appetizer or salad, pasta entrée, and dessert, with wine pairings available as an enhancement.
Gather, share, and repeat, our generous portions are made for passing and praising. Reserve your table today.
