Ten Five Hospitality’s CEO and co-founder, Dan Daley, has imagined a suite of electrifying spaces throughout his career in cities like Los Angeles, Las Vegas, New York, and Miami. From hotspot hotels to food and beverage outlets—including Thompson Hollywood, Mondrian South Beach, Desert 5 Spot, The Chap, and Mother Wolf—each embodies an alluring atmosphere informed by individualistic interior design, sumptuous cuisine, and an undeniable je ne sais quoi.
Photos by Wonho Frank Lee
Today, Ten Five Hospitality is celebrating the expansion of one of its most popular places: Mother Wolf. Building from locations in Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the popular eatery is highly regarded for sensational Roman cuisine by Chef Evan Funke, low-lit interiors filled with rich materials, and a buzzy crowd that embraces locals and celebrities alike. For the new Miami Design District destination, Martin Brudnizki Design Studio led the interior design, with styling by Bernadette Blanc, drawing inspiration from the timeless style and craftsmanship of Rome.
Photo by Michael Mundy, courtesy of Mother Wolf.
Inside, contemporary elements blend for touches of modern luxury, including hand-blown Murano glass chandeliers, Italian terrazzo flooring, damask walls, custom antique mirrors, decorative artifacts, and custom artwork inspired by Rome’s iconic fountains. Beyond a bespoke fountain wall and the opulent 30-foot-long bar, booths frame the open-air kitchen, featuring a pizza bar, and timber- framed banquettes and Horus gold marble tables are anchored by chairs and cushions dressed in leather and channeled brocade linen.
Whitewall spoke with Daley about bringing Mother Wolf to the Design District and how he hopes the space resonates with the Miami community.
Opening Mother Wolf in Miami
Photos by Eric Wolfinger, courtesy of Mother Wolf.
WHITEWALL: Mother Wolf has landed in Miami, led by Ten Five Hospitality. Why did you want to open a new location here?
DAN DALEY: Miami is an incredibly dynamic city that mirrors Rome in many ways. Both cities are cultural crossroads and incredibly passionate, social, and energized. It was a natural fit for who we are at Mother Wolf.
Photos by Wonho Frank Lee, courtesy of Mother Wolf.
WW: How will this space differ from its first Los Angeles location?
DD: Mother Wolf Los Angeles and Miami have distinct designs that reflect each city’s personality. Los Angeles is a bit more open and grander in scale. In Miami, where many restaurants are large format, we aimed to create a more intimate experience and a sense of closeness within a larger space.
Miami is an incredibly dynamic city that mirrors Rome in many ways
Dan Daley
Imagining an Intimate Space in the Design District
Photo by Michael Mundy, courtesy of Mother Wolf.
WW: How through the interior design did you achieve an intimate ambience?
DD: The design emphasizes rich, darker materials, giving the space a warmth and depth that stands apart from Miami’s typical lighter aesthetic.
WW: This is your first restaurant project in Miami. What’s special about the dining scene here that you hope to build on?
DD: Miami’s dining scene is vibrant and culturally diverse. With Mother Wolf, we want to stay true to our brand and the history of Roman cooking and hospitality. We hope that resonates with the community.
Miami’s dining scene is vibrant and culturally diverse.
Dan Daley
Photos by Eric Wolfinger, courtesy of Mother Wolf.
WW: How does this location play into your hospitality group’s large picture? What does it add?
DD: Right now, we’re concentrating on executing our potential at Mother Wolf Miami. We’re focused on quality and not looking to grow at its expense. For the foreseeable future, it’s Mother Wolf.
Chef Evan Funke’s Fantastic Touch
Photos by Wonho Frank Lee, courtesy of Mother Wolf.
WW: Chef Evan Funke is known for his dedication to the culinary arts, which plays out in dishes at restaurants like Mother Wolf, but also at Felix in L.A. and Tre Dita in Chicago, among others. How would you describe his work as a chef and how it impacts Mother Wolf’s success?
DD: I’ve never met someone more passionate about what they do than Chef Evan. His defining characteristic is a relentless and unyielding pursuit of perfection in everything that he does.
WW: What are you looking forward to experiencing during Art Week in Miami this December?
DD: The pulse of the city.
Photos by Eric Wolfinger, courtesy of Mother Wolf.
