In the highly competitive and exclusive sphere of Palm Beach hospitality, where opulent dining venues abound, the establishment of a truly spectacular waterfront restaurant remains a remarkable rarity. For an island defined by its coastal elegance and surrounded by the shimmering Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, the number of dining rooms positioned directly on the water is surprisingly modest. This scarcity underscores the magnitude of the achievement for Gabby Karan and Gianpaolo de Felice, the husband-and-wife duo behind the celebrated Tutto il Giorno restaurant group in the Hamptons, who successfully secured arguably the most coveted piece of real estate in the Royal Poinciana Plaza. Their new venture, aptly named Tutto Mare (meaning "All Sea"), opened its doors in January, instantly redefining the standard for sophisticated, relaxed dining on the island.
The location, nestled alongside the newly constructed Glazer Hall performing arts center, is a strategic masterpiece. The successful bid by the de Felices was not merely a transaction for prime space; it was a validation of their unique, community-centric philosophy. Gabby Karan de Felice detailed the selection process, noting that WS Development president Samantha [Perry] David, whose family are long-time patrons of the Tutto il Giorno brand, appreciated their approach. "I think they loved that we’re a husband and wife who are involved in our community and not about a fancy, 300-seat restaurant," Karan de Felice explained, contrasting their intimate, high-quality ethos with the larger, more commercial concepts often favored in new developments. The vision was to integrate a European sensibility—a place where food, family, and art naturally converge—into the fabric of Palm Beach society.
The debut of Tutto Mare proved that David’s instincts were spot on. The opening festivities saw the restaurant hosting between 75 and 100 VIP guests daily, a feat that drew wide admiration within Palm Beach’s discerning social circles. The island’s elite are notoriously private, often preferring intimate gatherings to large public debuts, yet the de Felices managed to draw them out en masse. Karan de Felice attributed this immediate success not to aggressive marketing or name-dropping, but to the inherent atmosphere they cultivated. "Many asked how did you get all these people to come out of their homes, but the restaurant is warm and unpretentious with the candles, the music, flowers and the water view," she noted.
This warmth and inherent “soul” is a hallmark of the de Felices’ hospitality philosophy, a quality Karan de Felice compares to legendary, owner-driven venues like Indochine, Bar Pitti, and Keith McNally’s iconic restaurants—places where the spirit of the proprietors permeates the dining experience.
The narrative of Tutto Mare is deeply rooted in southern Italy, specifically Ischia, where Gianpaolo de Felice hails from and where the couple first met. This connection to the Italian coast informed every aspect of the restaurant’s 15,000-square-foot design. To execute their vision, the de Felices commissioned their longtime architectural partners, Bonetti/Kozerski, renowned for blending minimalist design with luxurious texture, and L’Observatoire International for lighting design, ensuring that the ambiance shifted seamlessly from bright, airy daytime service to candlelit evening glamour.
The commitment to authenticity extended to the sourcing of materials, which were imported directly from Italy. This included specialized Costa Group millwork, sumptuous Dedar fabric for upholstery, and rich travertine marble, all contributing to an aesthetic that transports diners directly to the Mediterranean coastline. The dishware, too, was sourced from Italy, ensuring a complete and holistic sensory experience.
Perhaps the most significant design achievement was the thoughtful reclamation of a piece of Palm Beach history: the former Royal Poinciana Playhouse’s Celebrity Room. Designed by the esteemed architect John Volk, this space once entertained Hollywood A-listers. Tutto Mare has painstakingly restored the original ceiling mural, featuring the likenesses of those past stars, and repurposed the landmark into an elegant, multi-functional lounge. Gabby Karan de Felice reimagined this area with luxurious Balinese teak furniture, creating a sophisticated waiting area where guests can enjoy aperitifs, high-end seafood towers, caviar, and even French fries while waiting for their tables. Crucially, the floor of this historic room was strategically raised during construction to maximize proximity and connection to the panoramic water views, a physical manifestation of the restaurant’s commitment to its unique location.
Tutto Mare is more than just a place to eat; it is conceived as a complete lifestyle destination. Recognizing the trend toward all-day engagement, the de Felices have integrated curated retail experiences directly into the venue. Diners can browse and shop for bespoke items, including ceramics by renowned artist Kelly Klein (a close collaborator and mentor to Karan de Felice in the Palm Beach venture), fine jewelry by Robert Lee Morris, and luxurious cashmere sweaters manufactured in Italy by Karan de Felice’s mother, fashion icon Donna Karan. The incorporation of a dedicated juice bar and high-quality coffee offerings reinforces the notion that guests should feel welcome to "hang out all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
The culinary program focuses intensely on Mediterranean seafood, executed with precision and flair. While full menus are rolling out as the season peaks, the initial offerings have set a high bar. Executive chef Agostino Petrosino, who helped launch the concept, and chef de cuisine Carmine Nozzolino, who is committed to the long-term stewardship of the kitchen, oversee a menu featuring delicate crudos, handcrafted crustacean pastas, and signature salt-encrusted whole fish preparations. These savory dishes are often complemented by refreshing lemon spritzes, echoing the citrus flavors of the Amalfi Coast.
Dessert is a serious affair at Tutto Mare, handled by two dedicated pastry chefs flown in from Capri. Offerings include traditional Italian sweets such as delicate pistachio profiteroles and the rich, flourless chocolate caprese cake. Gianpaolo de Felice, who oversees the beverage and coffee program, highlighted the importance of the after-meal experience. The restaurant works with regenerative coffee farms in Costa Rica, ensuring a sustainable and exceptionally high-quality espresso offering, available throughout the day alongside their other specialty coffee drinks. The coffee program is managed in partnership with Gally and David Mayer, local partners in the Palm Beach venture.
Looking ahead, Gianpaolo de Felice, who grew up immersed in boating culture, has a clear ambition to fully integrate the restaurant with the surrounding water environment. The ultimate goal is to offer true "dock and dine" hospitality, allowing guests to arrive directly by boat—a feature sorely missed in Palm Beach’s luxury dining landscape.
Should permitting challenges hinder a full dock installation, de Felice envisions at least deploying a classic 1967 Riva motorboat to ferry guests out to enjoy the spectacular sunset from Tutto Mare’s expansive 1,200-square-foot terrace. This vision encapsulates the entire spirit of the venture: sophisticated European luxury paired with relaxed coastal accessibility.
"We want to create what we’ve achieved in the Hamptons, where you can park your boat, have a spritz and a beautiful grilled fish," concluded Gabby Karan de Felice. With its unparalleled location, deeply authentic design, and commitment to creating a soulful, unpretentious hub, Tutto Mare has already established itself as Palm Beach’s essential new destination, successfully translating the intimate luxury of the Italian coast to the shores of the Royal Poinciana Plaza.