‘It’s been crazy’: Crowds are flocking to this Italian restaurant in Coral Gables

These days, busy is a way of life for Marcelo Chopa.

The chef and restaurateur, who just opened Casa Vialetto on Alhambra Circle in Coral Gables, can’t quite believe the flurry of diners flocking to his new restaurant.

“It’s been crazy,” he admits. “It’s been nonstop. I need to catch up on paperwork! But I’m happy, so happy.”

The rush shouldn’t be much of a surprise for Chopa, who has been a Gables fixture since he moved to Miami-Dade from Buenos Aires more than 30 years ago. After working in restaurants around the city, in 1999, he and then-partner Ernie Fernandez opened the incredibly popular Italian restaurant Caffe Vialetto, which became a go-to spot for family milestones and friendly gatherings. Patrons raved about the food and the hospitality, praising the genuine family-style feel of the place.

Chopa and Fernandez sold the property and closed the restaurant last summer, setting off widespread mourning. Now, Chopa has opened Casa Vialetto, his first restaurant on his own, a sister to the original Caffe Vialetto. It’s still Italian, still warm, still hospitable. And Coral Gables (and beyond) is responding enthusiastically to its opening.

You can see it in the way Chopa greets every guest at the door, shaking hands or embracing them like old friends, grinning and eager to show off the new space.

“Almost all of them have been clients from Caffe Vialetto,” Chopa says. “There are a few new clients, and they have repeated already. But I can say 90 percent of them are old clientele.”

Casa Vialetto — the name is similar to its predecessor for obvious reasons — is smaller than Caffe Vialetto, but its size makes it feel warm and cozy.

Maybe a little too cozy.

“I think the inside of the last restaurant wasn’t as nice as this,” Chopa says, laughing. “One thing I’ve realized is people come to Casa Vialetto, and they don’t want to leave! They stay forever at the table even if I need that table for someone else!”

The menu is more or less the same as it was at the original restaurant, not surprising when you realize the kitchen crew is the same as it was at Caffe Vialetto. You’ll find carpaccio and calamari, all sorts of pasta and risotto, as well as insanely good short rib dishes.

And in a nod to one of Caffe Vialetto’s favorite specialties, Chopa and his kitchen serve up an inspiring mango-glazed hogfish, not too sweet, not too sticky, with firm, perfectly sauteed fish. It will always be on the menu, Chopa says — unless he runs out of mango because the restaurant is so busy.

“We had to serve a lycee mojito the other night instead of mango,” he admits. “We ran out of mango.”

Fortunately summertime means mangoes in Miami, so that’s unlikely to happen again any time soon. So far, though, the onslaught of diners shows no signs of slowing. The restaurant, which serves lunch and dinner, was going to be open daily, but Chopa plans to close on Mondays for now.

“My kitchen needs to rest,” he says. “It’s a good excuse to take a little break.”

There’s another reason Chopa is thrilled to be back in the restaurant business: He can work with his children. His son Lucas, 27, started working night shifts at 16 at Caffe Vialetto and is now making the transition to front-of-house manager.

“He told me he didn’t want to cook anymore, and I said, ‘OK, whatever position you want,’” Chopa says. “I trust him. It’s natural, to want to be with my son. My two daughters help with the social media, too.”

Despite the workload, he’s where he wants to be.

“I’m tired, but I’m smiling,” he says. “I’m so happy in the place I wanted to be for a long time.”

Casa Vialetto

Where: 276 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables

Hours: Noon-11 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday

Reservations: OpenTable

More information: www.casavialetto.com or 305- 926-1928

This story was originally published June 10, 2026 at 4:30 AM.