This charming Italian spot is open in the former Miami Beach home of Cotoletta

When 84 Magic Hospitality group opened its second location of Cotoletta, the Italian restaurant in Miami famous for serving only one dish, co-owner Mattia Cicognani had reason to believe his team would be successful again.

The first Cotoletta, on Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove, was an immediate hit and still draws lines of diners eager to try the restaurant’s veal Milanese (which not incidentally is the only entree on the menu).

Cotoletta 2.0 opened in Miami Beach late in December of 2025. But its South of Fifth neighborhood proved swiftly to be a different sort of community, with customers looking for a different sort of dining experience.

Cicognani knew what he had to do, and he didn’t want to wait. He and partner Ignacio Lopez Mancisidor closed the restaurant for about 10 days, did a little renovation and at the end of May re-opened the space as San Marco, a traditional Italian trattoria.

Now, a little more than a month after reopening, customers have responded positively, and Cicognani says he is glad they made the change.

“It was a great thing for us,” he says. “I always put my ego apart when I choose to change everything. I try to understand and listen to my customers.”

Named for Venice’s famous public square, the new trattoria is what Cicognani, who was born in the Romagna region of Italy and grew up in a hospitality industry family, calls “old school European.” It’s a small but homey space that seats anywhere from 45 to 50 guests indoors, with tables outside that can serve up to 15.

“It’s charming but not too sophisticated,” Cicognani says.

The menu features well-known and popular Italian dishes, with different menus for day and night. During the day, you’ll find a smaller number of offerings, such as panino with cotoletta (veal Milanese), proscuitto and fontina cheese on toast, turkey breast on a croissant. There are gelatos if you just want a snack and a small menu of coffee or wine, depending on what appeals most.

At dinner, you’ll find Italian comfort food like spaghetti al pomodoro, ragu pasta, even a vodka pasta that is flambéed and served tableside. There are a smattering of salads and main dishes like roasted half chicken, branzino, filet mignon and steak tartare.

“These are dishes people already love,” Cicognani says.

Mancisidor says that hospitality also has a starring role at San Marco.

“Italian hospitality is truly a unique excellence, made of attention, warmth and details that aren’t taught but passed down,” he said. “That’s exactly what our guests will find at San Marco.”

The brand has faced other changes recently. Former partner Andrea Fraquelli has left the group. The brand’s original Cotoletta remains open, as does San Lorenzo, its Italian spot near Little River, which offers only two entree choices (carne or pesce?)

But Si Papa, the group’s tiny lasagna-only restaurant near Cotoletta in the Grove closed June 28 when its lease was up. Happily, Miami hasn’t seen the last of that tasty lasagna, which comes in meat or vegetarian form. Cicognani just started a 10-day pop-up at Studio 24 Coffee at 1250 S. Miami Ave. in Brickell.

The coffee shop will use the premises during the day, and Si Papa will serve lasagna at night. The pop runs from 5-11 p.m. daily through July 18. If it works out, the partnership may continue, at least for a while.

Meanwhile, Cicognani hopes to continue building the customer base at San Marco, where he’s beginning to see repeat local customers.

“As an Italian, I’m superstitious,” he says. “But I have a good feeling about this restaurant. I would love to be the spot for the neighborhood South of Fifth. Simple food, not a crazy price — yes, I have a good feeling.”

San Marco

Where: 840 First St., Miami Beach

Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Reservations: Resy

More information: www.sanmarcomiami.com or 305-397-8150