Gianpaolo & Gaby Karen de Felice
The iconic Royal Poinciana Plaza soon will be home to Tutto il Giorno restaurant group’s first Florida venture — Tutto Mare, a Mediterranean-style concept. It will be Palm Beach’s first and only intracoastal waterfront restaurant, seating 200 diners.
“When I first stood in the historic playhouse restaurant and looked out over the water, I knew we needed the world’s best Mediterranean restaurant to open its doors and spill onto the deck with the sun setting behind it,” says Samantha David, president of WS Development, owners of Royal Poinciana Plaza. “Tutto Mare brings something special and new to the island and we believe it will become an iconic destination for many generations to come.”
The restaurant is the culmination of a dream for husband-and-wife team, Gianpaolo de Felice and Gabby Karan de Felice (daughter of celebrated designer, Donna Karan), of opening a seaside outdoor dining experience reminiscent of Gianpaolo’s upbringing in Southern Italy.
The couple, along with Gally and David Mayer, opened the first Tutto il Giorno, an Italian restaurant, in 2008 in Sag Harbor, N.Y. Other venues are located in Southampton and East Hampton, N.Y. However, Gianpaolo always envisioned expanding to Palm Beach. When he saw the playhouse, he knew that this was the perfect new home.
The water-side Royal Poinciana Playhouse began 55 years ago as a producing theater. In its heyday it brought in nationally known comedians, club singers and orchestras. However, it was shuttered in 2004 after Clear Channel Communications, its last tenant, left. In 2022, construction got underway to redevelop the property. In addition to a new intimate theater seating 400, the property includes 12,000 feet of retail and gallery space.
Tutto Mare is located at 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach. For more information, visit tuttoilgiorno.com.