This popular Fort Lauderdale restaurant just closed. A Miami steakhouse is moving in
For more than 25 years, at two different venues, Canyon restaurant fed Fort Lauderdale, first at the Gateway plaza, then further south on Federal Highway.
Over the weekend, the restaurant closed — and a Miami hospitality group has announced it’s stepping in.
Coming to the space at 620 S. Federal Highway is Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse from the Gioia Hospitality Group, led by Thomas Angelo, owner of the Michelin-recommended Italian restaurant Fiola Miami in Coral Gables. Daniel’s will highlight locally-sourced meats, fish and produce and is expected to open sometime in October.
For Angelo, opening a restaurant in Fort Lauderdale is a bit of a homecoming: his two children grew up there. He’s looking forward to joining the city’s dining landscape and learning what Broward diners crave and expect.
“Every community has its own ecosystem,” he said. “We’ll pay close attention to that just as we did in Coral Gables. We’ll get to know people and their preferences on everything from the hours we’re open to the food we’re putting in front of them. You have to understand what the demands are and hope to satisfy them.”
Canyon owner Mike Linder of SFL Hospitality Group called the agreement with Angelo’s Gioia group “more than just a sale.”
“It’s a passing of the torch to a brand that embodies excellence and creativity in the culinary world,” Linder said. “I have immense respect for Tom and his team’s commitment to innovation.”
SFL Hospitality announced the closing on Canyon’s social media accounts, thanking customers, staff and partners for loyalty over the years. The group plans to focus on its other concepts in Broward County, which include South Bar & Kitchen in Pompano Beach, YOT Bar & Kitchen in Fort Lauderdale and Jet Runway Café at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
“Since its inception, Canyon has been more than just a dining destination; it has been a gathering place where memories were made, celebrations were held, and friendships were forged,” the post said. “We have had the privilege of being part of so many special moments in people’s lives. It’s incredibly hard to say goodbye, but we believe it’s time for us to embark on a new chapter.”
The team at Daniel’s, which is the first of several restaurant concepts coming from Gioia Hospitality, will include Fiola executive chef Daniel Ganem as culinary director; Fiola’s Daniel Bishop as wine and beverage director and Fabiana Hernandez as chef de cuisine.
Ganem, who created the menu for Daniel’s, said that the restaurant hopes to source 50 to 60 percent of its meat, fish and produce from Florida. Once the restaurant is open, Ganem, known for Fiola’s marvelous pasta omakase specials, plans to feature a special “meat omakase” menu with different cuts of steak.
Overseeing two restaurants is, of course, twice the work, but Ganem is eager for it.
“It’s pretty fun just to work with so many things,” he said. “It’s all about organization, making sure people are accountable and getting the right people to work with you. My mission is to wow every guest, to have people come in and say ‘Wow, that was spectacular!’ when they leave.”
Next year, Ganem will add a new set of responsibilities to his already busy schedule. He’ll take on the executive chef duties at the upscale waterfront Italian restaurant La Cala, which Gioia Hospitality plans to open at the Grove Isle development in Coconut Grove.
