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Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York

Casa Tua is opening a public restaurant and a private space for members inside The Surrey hotel on the Upper East Side.

Por: Rubén Carrillo
Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy
Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy

Since Miky Grendene, the founder of Casa Tua, launched the exclusive private club’s first location in Miami Beach 25 years ago, members have urged him to open an outpost in New York. Grendene initially expanded to Aspen and Paris, and now, at last, he has found a home for Casa Tua in New York.

 

“I looked at countless locations,” Grendene said earlier this summer from his house in Aspen. “For me, it’s about quality, not quantity. Most of the time, quality and quantity don’t go hand in hand. So it was very important that if we opened in New York, it had to be in the right location,” he added. “At The Surrey, on the Upper East Side, I found the perfect place for us.”

 

Casa Tua is located inside the newly renovated Surrey, a Corinthia Hotel, and serves as the property’s official food and beverage partner. 

 

Located on East 76th Street and Madison Avenue, The Surrey features 100 guest rooms and suites, 14 private residences, and an on-site spa.

Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy
Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy

“I think the Upper East Side needs new blood, new things, new energy more than downtown. I think Casa Tua will hopefully bring that to the Upper East Side.”

 

“Everyone asked me, ‘Why the Upper East Side? Why not downtown?’” Grendene explained. “I never follow trends. I don’t look at what others do; I do what I feel is right for us, for the brand, and for our customers. I believe the Upper East Side needs new energy more than downtown, and I hope Casa Tua will bring that freshness.”

 

Casa Tua will feature a restaurant and lounge on the hotel’s ground floor, open to the public. Like its other locations, the menu will focus on Mediterranean cuisine, specifically Italian with French influences.

Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy
Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy

The second floor will house a private members-only space, offering exclusive programming and personalized service. The goal is to create a home away from home for its nearly 3,000 members.

 

“Every client of mine is a celebrity,” Grendene said. “The club allows me to get to know them better, to understand exactly what they like and dislike, ensuring it’s a customized experience,” he added, emphasizing that there is no distinction in service between members and non-members at the restaurant. “The only difference is that they have a space with more privacy. Privacy is key for us.”

 

Casa Tua does not promote its celebrity clientele, though its locations are popular with tastemakers and famous personalities. During Art Basel Miami Beach, the restaurant is a favorite spot for VIP dinners and parties.

Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy
Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy

“Everyone wants to know about everyone,” Grendene said. “People are always trying to show off their private planes, huge yachts, and what they do. We aim for the opposite: creating a little oasis where you can still feel a sense of privacy, where we respect your privacy.”

 

The New York location was designed in collaboration with architect and designer Michele Bönan, reflecting Grendene’s own aesthetic sensibilities. 

 

“Casa Tua has always been, and will always be, the result of our lives,” Grendene said. “My wife and I travel the world, and like sponges, we absorb and integrate whatever we like into our design.”

Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy
Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy

While many openings follow hospitality design trends, Casa Tua takes a more unique approach. “We focus on being timeless, soulful, and elegant,” Grendene said. “We’re not looking to be trendy, because trends are by definition the beginning of an end,” he added. “We want a design that works now, would have worked 20 years ago, and will still work 20 years from now.”

 

With Casa Tua now established in New York, Grendene is already considering a fifth location, with Madrid being a strong contender.

 

 His son is currently studying there, giving him the chance to experience the city’s vibe. “When I’m in Madrid, I feel good. The restaurants are great, the people are fun, and they love dining out,” he said.

Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy
Casa Tua, the Swanky Miami Club and Restaurant, Expands to New York / Photo via courtesy

We hope you enjoyed this article about Casa Tua, If you did, please share it with others. You might also be interested in reading our article about Clase Azul Tequila, or browsing other reviews in our Luster English section.

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