Toscana Divino’s General Manager Mauro Bortignon was honored Friday evening July 24, 2015 in Brickell.  Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado presented Bortignon with a “Key to the City” in a lively celebration attended by friends, patrons, and other distinguished members of the community. The Mayor thanked Mr. Bortignon for his contributions to the culinary ecosystem of the city and for being an important part of the renaissance of Brickell and Downtown.

“I am sincerely honored to receive a Key to the City on behalf of Toscana Divino and the Italian-American community here in Miami,” said Mr. Bortignon, “This is really a recognition to the rich culinary and viticultural contribution that Italian-Americans have made since the mid 1700’s when the first Italian vintners arrived in Florida. The opportunity to promote the unique culinary traditions of Italy in the midst of the spectacular transformation of Miami’s Brickell-Downtown area is both humbling and exciting for me, my partners Stefano and Tommaso, and the entire Toscana Divino team,” continued Mr. Bortignon.

Demonstratively touched, Mr. Bortignon highlighted that he was specially moved by the attendance to the event of our longtime patrons and friends Chelin and Alfredo Duran. “Their presence is not only a celebration of our friendship but it is also symbolic of the strong community bond Toscana Divino has forged since opening its doors in 2012,” he added.

Toscana Divino was built in partnership with the Consortium of Italian Business, Wine and Fashion in Florence, Italy, with the intention of promoting Tuscan cuisine and products in Miami. The restaurant is owned and managed by native Italians and restaurant industry veterans Stefano Cavinato, Tommaso Morelato, and Mr. Bortignon. When asked to comment on what it meant for a member of the Toscana Divino team to receive a Key to the City, Mr. Cavinato said: “Mauro really embodies the passion of Italian cuisine and culture and he brings it alive in the restaurant. The city’s acknowledgment is really an honor to all of us.”

In the same spirit, his partner, Mr. Morelato underscored that Mr. Bortignon was the perfect cultural ambassador for everything Italian. “Before joining our team,” he said, “Mauro spent several years in New York working for famous Italian chef Mario Batali. Here in Miami, he spent 6 years working for the iconic and world-renown Casa Tua. We are really proud to have him as part of our team.”

When describing the Toscana Divino experience, Mr. Bortignon states that: “We want our patrons to feel they are entering a world that is thoroughly Tuscan, but also thoroughly contemporary. We are creating a link between the Tuscan region and the Miami area, thereby building a bridge between our two cultures.”

About Toscana Divino

Since opening its doors in 2012, Toscana Divino, recently voted the best restaurant in Brickell by the Miami New Times, is known for presenting both the most contemporary and traditional Tuscan and Italian cuisine, including the world-famous Fiorentina steak. Toscana Divino’s menu, draws its inspiration from classic dishes found throughout Tuscany featuring pastas made fresh in house, fresh seasonal ingredients from local markets or directly imported from Italy.  Toscana Divino continues to inspire unprecedented praise and rave reviews from such publications as the Miami Herald, Thrillist, Zagat, Miami. Toscana Divino is located 900 S. Miami Ave, Miami, FL in Mary Brickell Village.   For additional information, visit www.toscanadivino.com.