Caragiulos Italian American Restaurant opens its new downtown Sarasota location Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 1833 Ringling Blvd.

The family-owned Italian spot has been a downtown fixture since 1989, known for its pizzas, pastas and signature salad. The restaurant was forced to find a new home after Sarasota-based Seaward Development targeted its longtime location in the historic Mira Mar building for 70 estate-style condominiums across two 18-story towers, as first reported by the Bradenton Herald.

The original Mira Mar space featured vibrant decor that reflected the building's Roaring '20s character. The new 4,300-square-foot restaurant seats 150 and takes its design cues from a different era entirely.

The Caragiulo family tapped longtime friend Luciano Botta, a Milan-based designer, to shape the interior. Botta envisioned the space as a set for a classic Federico Fellini film, drawing on 1960s Italian cinema for its richly detailed look, according to the Bradenton Herald.

"I think Luciano nailed it," owner Paul Caragiulo told the Herald-Tribune. He compared the finished space to a movie set: "If we were shooting a period piece, we could do it."

Caragiulo told the Herald-Tribune in June that the family wanted to create something memorable. "We like to put on a show and make spaces that are memorable and it seemed appropriate," he said. "I'm excited to see people's reaction and hope that they like what they see."

Patriarch Tony Caragiulo and his sons John, Mark, Rob, Anthony and Paul opened the original restaurant in 1989. It was one of the pioneers of downtown Sarasota's dining resurgence and earned praise from celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse, including an appearance on his Cooking Channel show.

The family held an invitation-only preview Wednesday, Oct. 14. Mark, Anthony and Paul Caragiulo posed with their mother, Anna Caragiulo, at the gathering.

When the Mira Mar location closed, the family offered everyone who dined there tickets for the Caragiulos Collectible Raffle, featuring artwork, tabletops, gift baskets and opening-weekend dining tickets at the new spot.

Several longtime employees worked at other family-owned restaurants while the new space was under construction. The restaurant expects many of those familiar faces behind the counter when doors open Oct. 27.