{"id":30920,"date":"2024-03-19T20:38:07","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T00:38:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/?p=30920"},"modified":"2026-01-02T21:50:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T02:50:16","slug":"beyond-esotico-miami-kaona-room-and-daniele-dalla-polas-cocktail-and-rum-adventures","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.slammie.com\/atomicgrog\/blog\/2024\/03\/19\/beyond-esotico-miami-kaona-room-and-daniele-dalla-polas-cocktail-and-rum-adventures\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond Esotico Miami: Kaona Room and Daniele Dalla Pola’s cocktail and rum adventures"},"content":{"rendered":"

The tropical drinks world became a less exciting and flamboyant place earlier this month when Italian master mixologist Daniele Dalla Pola closed up shop at Esotico Miami after nearly 5 years of crowd-pleasing cocktails and cuisine.<\/p>\n

\"Daniele<\/a>
Daniele Dalla Pola puts on a show while making his signature cocktails during the final night at Esotico Miami. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward \/ March 2, 2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But his influence and creative flair will live on at the adjacent Kaona Room<\/a>, which will continue to be operated by his son while Dalla Pola sets off on his next adventure. The remaining partners will transform the Esotico space into a new bar and restaurant concept, but the vintage Tiki-themed speakeasy remains open and serving some of the best exotic cocktails (and food) in Miami.<\/p>\n

Dalla Pola’s exit was sudden but not unexpected under the circumstances. Legal issues with his work visa make it necessary for him to leave the United States and return to his native Italy, among other destinations, in the coming months. He eventually plans to return to help run the Kaona Room with Billy Dalla Pola when he can legally do so. But in the meantime, he has multiple projects in the works.<\/p>\n

Full coverage below:<\/strong> Closing night at Esotico<\/a>
\nThe Kaona Room keeps torch burning<\/a> | Dalla Pola’s further adventures<\/a>
\nPhotos, video: Esotico Miami memories<\/a>
\nCocktail recipe:<\/strong> Esotico Rum Cup<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Esotico
Esotico (left) has closed its doors but its secret speakeasy, the Kaona Room, will continue with its intimate and authentically Tiki vibe and decor. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward \/ March 2, 2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Esotico opened on Aug. 15, 2019,<\/a> a joint venture between Dalla Pola and Miami’s Graspa Group. At 3,400 square feet, it took up a huge space in the ground floor of the Canvas Condominiums in downtown’s Arts & Entertainment District. [See opening photos]<\/a><\/p>\n

It closed March 2, a little more than 6 months shy of its 5-year mark. Dalla Pola posted a heartfelt farewell on his Instagram page:<\/a><\/p>\n

Aloha! Closing the bar today and writing these words is not easy, but this is a step I take because it’s time for a change, time to refresh, time to rethink, and to build something new. I step out from my project Esotico Miami which will move on under a new concept led by my trusted partners, Graspa Group.<\/p>\n

Although I will leave Miami for some time, my son Billy Dalla Pola, will continue what I’ve started at The Kaona Room. … As I move forward, I’ll be excited to announce something new, hopefully very soon. Stay tropical! <\/em><\/p>\n

\"Daniele
Daniele Dalla Pola didn’t waste any time hitting the road after the closing of Esotico Miami.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Esotico was the next evolutionary step for the acclaimed bar owner, who made his name in the drinks world with Nu Lounge Bar<\/a> in Bologna (in which he remains a partner). Dalla Pola first came to the United States more than 25 years ago, and his son was born in Miami in 1999.<\/p>\n

Dalla Pola represented rum giant Bacardi while bartending in Miami before establishing himself as a force on the worldwide beverage scene. His presentations on Tiki cocktails have always been well received.<\/a> Besides the bar in Italy, he owns a piece of the Alamea<\/a> brand of liquors, which was founded in 2016 and is now distributed in 14 countries.<\/p>\n

His career now comes full circle as he once again hits the road to attend events and spread the gospel about rum, cocktails and Tiki culture. His first stop after leaving Miami was Shanghai for the Asian Bar Awards, followed by more appearances across China sponsored by Bacardi.<\/p>\n

We’ll detail more of his upcoming plans below,<\/a> including a new signature rum and a cocktail book. But first, here’s what’s been happening in Miami. <\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The official announcement of the closing of Esotico Miami.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Closing night at Esotico: Inventive tropical oasis goes out in style<\/h2>\n

The end seemingly came swift at Esotico Miami. An announcement of the March 3 closing was posted March 1 on Instagram<\/a>, but we knew something was afoot when we talked to owner Daniele Dalla Pola a month earlier during the fifth Miami Rum Congress event.<\/a><\/p>\n

As became his custom during area rum and Tiki gatherings, Dalla Pola hosted a full schedule of nightly happenings. There were rum tastings with dinner and cocktails on Feb. 8 at the Kaona Room (hosted by Rum Wonk<\/a> Matt Pietrek) and Feb. 11 at Esotico (with Myssi Davis and Joe Horstkamp, aka the Rum Traveler<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Dalla Pola also participated in a Feb. 9 seminar<\/a> at the nearby Miami Beach Convention Center. Later that evening, Esotico hosted The Golden Tiki from Las Vegas for a cocktail pop-up, along with live music by fellow Italian Lorenzo Valdambrini, aka Surfer Joe<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Owner<\/a>
Owner Daniele Dalla Pola tends bar on the final night of service at Esotico Miami. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward \/ March 2, 2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was great to see the longtime “ambassador of instrumental surf music” finally make an appearance at his friend’s Miami establishment (see video below).<\/a> Valdambrini’s only previous appearance in South Florida was at The Hukilau in 2019, before the opening of Esotico. Everyone was in good spirits that night, but I knew something was up when Dalla Pola confided in me that he would be leaving the country soon for an extended period of time.<\/p>\n

In his farewell to Esotico on Instagram posted March 2, Dalla Pola wrote:<\/p>\n

I would like to thank each and every one of our patrons for your support and loyalty, especially my Rum Brothers and Sisters. You have all been a big part of our journey; it wouldn’t have been so fun without you. And to my amazing team who worked with us during all these 5 years! Every one of you has tried your best to make guests’ experiences at Esotico outstanding, and I am truly grateful for your hard work and patience with me, your sometimes-hard-to-handle-Italian boss.<\/p>\n

To all the brands that have partnered with us, thank you for supporting us every step of the way. Together, we’ve created some amazing memories – from fun parties to unique rum dinners. Our collaboration has been incredible; I learned so much from you and met amazing new friends. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"Daniele<\/a>
Daniele Dalla Pola welcomes friends and regulars behind the bar for photos on the closing night of Esotico Miami. (Photo by Hurricane Hayward \/ March 2, 2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many friends turned out that last night, when Dalla Pola held court behind Esotico’s expansive bar and wall of rum. As his son, Billy, and the other bartenders held down the fort, he spent most of the night making special drinks for his guests, inviting many of them behind the bar for hugs and photos.<\/p>\n

We enjoyed the biggest Big Bamboo<\/a> that has likely ever been made, Dalla Pola’s ode to The Mai-Kai classic<\/a> served in a massive vessel that kept everyone gathered around the bar busy for an hour.<\/p>\n

As adept as he is at making classics, Dalla Pola’s true calling is reimagining everything from the Pina Colada (his Sexy Colada<\/a>) to the Mai Tai (Nu Mai Tai<\/a>). On closing night, we were treated to one of his best, El Zombi<\/a>, a smoky and creamy version of Don the Beachcomber’s deadly creation featuring rum, mezcal and his own “Dan’s Mix No. 9.”<\/p>\n

\"Daniele
Daniele Dalla Pola welcomes Hurricane Hayward to the final evening of service at Esotico Miami, presenting his signature El Zombi cocktail. (Atomic Grog photos \/ March 2, 2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Other longtime Esotico favorites include Dan’s Special<\/a>, his riff on Don’s Special Daiquiri<\/a>; and perhaps the best version of the Missionary’s Downfall<\/a> since Donn Beach himself.
\n* Cocktail College podcast: Daniele Dalla Pola makes the perfect Missionary’s Downfall<\/a><\/p>\n

The other thing that set the cocktails at Esotico apart from the norm was the over-the-top presentation, from unique glassware and mugs to dry ice enveloping the bar as you were handed your exotic elixir. Dalla Pola thrives on theatrics, setting the tone with his bombastic (but always safe) fiery finishes to his drinks.<\/p>\n

And if you ordered one of Esotico’s communal drinks, such as the Volcano Bowl<\/a>, that’s when all hell broke loose. Multiple members of the staff would join in the flaming finale, conjuring up more sparks with handfuls of cinnamon as epic music blasted through the speakers throughout the restaurant.<\/p>\n

\"Daniele<\/a>
Daniele Dalla Pola mixes up a giant Big Bamboo while guests enjoy a Volcano Bowl during the final night at Esotico Miami. (Photos by Hurricane Hayward \/ March 2, 2024)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Those speakers also provided one of the most classic soundtracks you ever heard, nevermind that it was not in the least bit tropical … or even Miami-themed. In addition to Tiki culture, Dalla Pola has a particular fondness for American pop culture of the mid-century, and the music played at Esotico reflected this.<\/p>\n

His obsession with Elvis and passion for roots rockabilly music is authentic and real, so it never seemed out of place with Esotico’s tropical decor and drinks. It’s like the signature neon “Aloha Miami” sign that hung over the bar. The disparate elements all worked together in an intoxicating stew of retro goodness.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n