Today we’d like to introduce you to David Cardaci.
David grew up in Orlando FL and learned at an early age that with hard work and determination the sky’s the limit. His role model and late grandfather Robert Harrell, known philanthropist and Senior Executive at Montgomery Ward in the 1980’s always said, “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” These are words David lives by.
In addition, his late father Sal Cardaci owned many companies throughout his life. Most recently Florida Scientific’s, David was always inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial spirit. He believed the small business owner keeps Americas heart beating.
After earning a Business and Marketing degree from the University of Central Florida in 2000, he landed a job with Roy Spear, founder of The Home Shopping Network. David worked with Spears’ team to create Marlin eSourcing Solutions, which is known today as Florida’s premier colocation and 3PL facility.
Following his success at Marlin, he accepted the Vice President position of Seascape Communications in Palo Alto, California, founded by Jim Clark creator of Netscape, Web MD, and MyCFO. It was with Seascape Communications and Jim Clark that he began to hone in on his love of design, creation, and consumer electronics. He worked closely with Clark and an intimate team to develop a consumer electronics audio video storage and distribution system.
The think tank like atmosphere set appropriately in Palo Alto was the fuel to ignite his creative fire. It was at this time that he began sketching build outs and designing projects that at that point were just a dream. He often says that his time at Seascape Communications strengthened his research and development skills and it was there that he learned the true meaning of collaboration.
After several years of working in the tech industry, he stepped out of his comfort zone and took an auspicious position with the stylish Nikki Beach group as VP of Sales and Marketing. During his first year at Nikki Beach, he worked to launch Nikki Style Magazine, a fashion, travel, and trends monthly magazine.
While developing the sales force in both domestic and international markets he also worked with the team that opened new locations and created events including the acclaimed Nikki Beach Cannes, hosted at the Cannes Film Festival. He spent the rest of his years with the group traveling the world and working with the likes of Valentino and Tom Ford and companies such as Delta and Coke-‐a-‐Cola raising money for corporate growth.
After traveling the globe opening hospitality concepts, cultivating nightlife and launching a style magazine with the Nikki Beach Group, he decided that he finally had what it would take to make a stake for himself in hospitality and decided to do it right here in South Florida. Everything he accomplished up until this point developed the skill and innovation that we see in him today.
He opened The Whole Enchilada Fresh Mexican Grill in 2008 and paid homage to his grandfather by naming a burrito after him, “The Bob” perhaps a coincidence that it’s a bestseller. He soon realized he had been bitten by the hospitality bug and there was no turning back. He has called Ft. Lauderdale home for over a decade and is very much invested in being a part of its growth and vibrancy.
He has spent more than eight years developing unique and successful hospitality projects, some of which he holds on to and others he has sold.
Never lacking innovation, he finds the sites, designs, builds and sources materials for his projects. Repeatedly, we see that he does not fall short, he is the hands-on CEO of The Whole Enchilada.
David also co-launched what has become Fort Lauderdale’s newest hotspot, Rhythm & Vine. However, he is best known for creating The Whole Enchilada Fresh Mexican Grill, a fresh take on fast-casual Mexican. Over the past eight years, Cardaci has opened three locations. One of which is in a community redevelopment area, where he has rehabbed a 1960’s auto repair shop.
The Whole Enchilada currently has two additional locations underway with several more to follow. Most recently, David and wife Vanessa have opened The Wilder, a new cocktail lounge concept, located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.
Having searched for the perfect drinking experience, shaped the vision for The Wilder, as it portends a unique departure from the standard Fort-Lauderdale-cocktail fare.
Has it been a smooth road?
It’s been an amazing journey to today. Any challenges that have presented have been learning experiences.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
The Wilder is a new cocktail lounge concept, located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, has opened its doors to Bon vivants with a vision. The creators, industry veterans David and Vanessa Cardaci, have searched for the perfect drinking experience which shaped their vision for The Wilder.
With the warmth of your favorite boutique hotel, The Wilder portends a unique departure from the standard Fort-Lauderdale-cocktail fare. With an ambitious offering of more than 20 cocktails, wine, bubbles, beer and small bites, The Wilder ensures every palate will find its respective match.
The design was inspired by a feeling; the feeling one might get when reminiscing thoughtfully on their favorite travels: playful but elevated. It’s the culmination of those shared experiences like trips to Monaco and Chateau Marmont that brought the Cardacis vision of The Wilder to life.
Guests can anticipate an artful synthesis of old-world charm with bold brass accents, grand bar shelving, opulent banquets and intricate fixtures with a preening peacock. The juxtaposition of new-world allure lends to its tropical details that adorn the hallway, the musical lineup and infused sous vide cocktails. Decor details enhance the mood like the coffered walls that were hand-aged by a local artist for a timeless look and classic feel.
The 3,500 square-foot venue consists of three rooms with distinct personalities – a revolutionary modern classic cocktail bar, The Front Lobby, that creates masterfully executed libations, as well as a patio terrace for progressive libations, and a Grand Room which is able to host near-nightly parties for a sophisticated collection of clientele.
Inspired by the ambiance of grand hotel bars around the world, the Cardacis have found their barkeep match in Marko Tomovic, The Wilder’s new Minister of Beverage. With years’ experience serving up drinks at globally renowned hotel bars and restaurants, Tomovic and his bar team are poised to elevate the downtown cocktail scene.
With a fresh, creative take on old favorites with their Reboots like the Pimm’s Cup or Dark & Stormy, while adding complexity, flavor, and balance with their Leading Roles cocktails like Ornaments & Ordinance (44 North Potato Vodka, Aperol, Strawberry, Watermelon, sous vide Kiwi and a dash of Peppermint) and Don’t Sleep on Me (Afrohead 7 year, Giffard Vanilla de Madagascar, Tato Milk Tea).
Indeed, guests are transported to a completely different time and place as soon as they step inside The WIlder. And the Cardacis are keen to provide more than cocktails and delicious nibbles, as they plan a robust social calendar with Benjamin Robbins, The Wilder’s Director of Culture and Guest Experience. Social events will be designed to connect people in an utterly new and exciting locale.
David Cardaci is best known for creating The Whole Enchilada Fresh Mexican Grill, a fresh take on fast-casual Mexican. Over the past eight years, Cardaci has opened three locations. One of which is in a community redevelopment area, where he has rehabbed a 1960’s auto repair shop.
The Whole Enchilada currently has two additional locations underway with several more to follow.
The future looks bright for the fast-casual Guru.
There is a buzz about David Cardaci’s innovation and he really sets the market apart with his bespoke style and ingenuity. You may see him standing in front of a vacant warehouse in Flagler Village or cruising around looking for his next success. Having found that balance between vision, strategy, execution and day to day details, if he is involved in a project you will find him on site wearing a baseball cap with a laptop in tow running the show in the sawdust.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
David Cardaci has called Ft. Lauderdale home for over a decade and is very much invested in being a part of its growth and vibrancy.
Pricing:
- Prices for cocktails are $14
- Beer, wine and bubbles start at $5 and go up from there
Contact Info:
- Address: 701 East Broward Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Website: www.intothewilder.com
- Phone: (954) 523-4050
- Email: TheGreatRoom@intothewilder.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_thewilder_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IntoTheWILDER
Image Credit:
Chris Carter
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