ABOUT VE

Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group
V&E Hospitality Group, which translates to Life and Style in Spanish is a culinary industry pioneer behind some of the most recognizable and finest restaurant concepts. The brand exudes a lifestyle concept that blends gastronomy, mixology, entertainment and a unique vibe into each location.

VE’s award-winning portfolio in Miami & Las Vegas, includes QSR Cortadito Coffee House, FSR concepts Havana 1957, Café Americano, Oh! Mexico, PaperFish Sushi Bar, Barsecco, Cortadito Coffee House, Marabu, Mercato Della Pescheria, the iconic News Cafe, Salty Flame & Donatella Boutique Hotel & Restaurant.

VE Hospitality Group
Proud Member of:

 

Board of Directors

Jamil Dib
Co-Founder & Owner | Testimonial

Jamil Dib, co-founder and co-owner of Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group (V&E Hospitality Group), which translates to Life and Style in Spanish, has been a pivotal and driving force in the local, national and international restaurant scenes for more than 34 years. In 1996, Dib and his childhood friend Simon Jacobo began making a name for themselves with the start of V&E Restaurant Group and alongside with Cuban restaurateur Eduardo Araoz, have been launching and operating globally inspired culinary brands across the country, from Miami to Las Vegas, ever since. Within the past two decades, V&E has opened and operated more than 20 restaurants.

Eduardo-Araoz

Eduardo Araoz
Co-Founder & Owner
Linkedin Profile

For over two decades, Eduardo Araoz has been a managing partner of V&E Hospitality Group. In 1999 he joined the group and since then he has been responsible for the U.S. expansion of the brand’s multicultural culinary concepts in South Florida and Vegas, including the opening and development of Havana 1957, Oh! Mexico, Marabu, Barsecco, PaperFish, Mercato della Pescheria and Cortadito Coffee House.

Prior to joining V&E Hospitality Group, Araoz worked for Meliá Hotels International in Spain, overseeing the company’s expansion in Cuba and the Caribbean where they opened 14 new hotels.

Born into a restaurant dynasty in Havana, Cuba, Araoz’ exposure to the restaurant business started at a young age in his native country and continued in Spain where he developed his skills in hospitality as Maître D’ and chef.

Araoz holds a degree in tourism and hospitality management with a specialization in restaurant management from the University of Barcelona. Thanks to his educational growth, his passion for Arts & Culture and experience as a restaurateur, he is highly regarded by his peers due to his natural affinity for hospitality.

Simon Jacobo
Co-Founder & Owner

With a long line of successful men in his family, Jacobo has been introduced to the world of business and commercial transactions. He was born and raised in the capital of Mexico, where his father mentored him in the textile business. In his early twenties, he took control of the family business and at the same time attended the “Universidad del Valle de Mexico”, obtaining a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Hospitality.

During his years in school, he demonstrated to be a natural promoter and night life ambassador, opening his first restaurant bar in 1985 in the Historical district of Mexico City. The success was instantaneous and over 2,000 eager guests partied every weekend at this location, making it a classic spot for food and entertainment.

He has two hotels in Marbella, Spain & Mercato della Fontanella restaurant.

Jacobo is also devoted to his family and children and the well-being of his employees. He is regarded as a charismatic leader and praised for his face-to-face relationship with his staff.

After 30 years in business, he travels extensively to find new opportunities and investments and developing the corporate structure of the Miami based group.

Matias Pesce
CEO & Owner
Linkedin Profile

A global business leader and hospitality executive with more than two decades of experience driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and organizational transformation.

As CEO and Owner of VE Hospitality Group since 2017, he has led the company’s evolution into one of South Florida’s leading independent hospitality organizations, recognized among the Top 25 Independent Restaurant Groups in the Americas, South Florida’s Top 100 Private Companies, Largest Employers, and Top 50 Philanthropic Companies.

Before joining the hospitality industry, Matias held senior financial and executive leadership positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Pride International, and Pan American Energy (BP Group). A Certified Public Accountant, he holds an MBA from Argentina and a Master’s degree in Finance from the United States.

Committed to advancing hospitality education and industry leadership, Matias serves as Vice Chair of the Executive Advisory Board of FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management and as a Board Member of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association.

Recognized among South Florida Business Journal’s Power Leaders in Hospitality, Matias combines strategic vision, financial discipline, and a people-first philosophy to create lasting value for guests, team members, and communities.

V&E Hospitality Group’s Timeline

Openings 2027

Cortadito Coffee House – Downtown Miami

Recognitions & Awards

Awards, Certificates, & Recognitions

2026

2025

  • Top 100 Independent Restaurants (Cafe Americano Caesars Palace #22, Cafe Americano Paris Las Vegas #48 & Mercato della Pescheria Las Vegas #77).
  • South Florida Largest Employers, Top 100 Private companies & Top 50 corporate philanthropy  by South Florida Business Journal.
  • Winner for Best Cuban Restaurant & Best Mojito in the New Times Best of Miami Reader’s Choice  (Marabu Restaurant)
  • Winner for Best Coffee House in the New Times Best of Miami Reader’s Choice (Cortadito Coffee House).

2024

  • Winner for Best Cuban in the New Times Best of Miami Reader’s Poll 2024 for 2nd consecutive year (Havana 1957)
  • Winner for Best Restaurant 2024 and Best Mojito (2nd consecutive year) in the New Times Best of Miami Reader’s Poll 2024 (Marabu)
  • Winner for Best Margarita at New Times Best of Miami Editorial 2024 (Oh! Mexico).
  • August – V&E included in the 125 Meet America’s Top Restaurants, VE #14/40 in the South by NRN.
  • Eduardo Araoz is honored with the Hispanic Heritage Month Award  in Miami Beach for his outstanding contributions.
  • Restaurant Magazine lists  Mercato della Pescheria Las Vegas in the Top  100 Independent Restaurants in #87.
  • V&E Hospitality Group –Largest Employers in South Florida

2023

2022

  • VE Special Events/ Havana 1957 partnered with Great Performances for BitCoin at the Miami Beach Convention Center
  • VE Special Events/ collaboratioon with Sodexo Live at the edition of Formula 1 at Miami Race track at the Hard Rock Stadium.
  • Co-Founder & owner Jamil Dib is honored with the Hispanic Heritage Month Award by the City of Miami Beach.

2021

  • VE Group awarded with Keys to the City of Miami Beach during a ceremony at City Hall followed by a cocktail party at Cafe Americano.
  • OH! Mexico is recognized with the Miami Beach HISPANIC HERITAGE Month AWARD in recognition of 25 years in service during ceremony on Espanola Way.

2019

  • Havana 1957 / V&E Restaurant Group received MIAMI BEACH HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Award Certificate of Recognition.  Miami Beach Hispanic Affairs Committee recognition to  Hispanic businesses that have contributed positively to Miami Beach with outstanding record of service and/or achievement.
  • Havana 1957 Roasted Pork Sandwich featured as Best Sandwiches across America for industry leader Restaurant Hospitality & also included in the Editor’s pick for the year.

Between 2010- 2018

  • FILMING INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS
    2021- HAVANA 1957 & CORTADITO COFFEE HOUSE partnership with HBOMax for RapSh!t series premiering 2022 at the ABBF2022


Media Inquiries
Chief Communications & Government Relations Officer.
Elba Machado / emachado@vehospitality.com

Phone (305) 824 7737