La Casina Part Deux

[davesmom]

When you choose to go to a restaurant twice in one week, with so many fantastic choices on one little island, you know it has to be the perfect combination of warm welcomes as if you are family, delicious food, fun, and exceptional value. Welcome back to La Casina, home of the truly adorable Mimi, owner and your new best friend, along with her manager, and our waitress, Elsa. These are people that truly care about their clients and know how to run a restaurant. With great fortune, we got to see Dennis and Ellen and the rest of the famille SBH, and raised a glass from our generous friend, Dennis, to Ellen’s birthday!

After a larger than expected lunch at Le G., we were trying to go a bit lighter, so started with Veal tonnato, which was so delicious, I almost stole DD’s portion, too. Lovely creamy sauce on thin slices of veal with some arugula in the middle, sitting in a beautiful italianate platter. The dishes themselves are SUPER charming and obviously hand made for the restaurant. They are each a bit different, and the first time, DD had a prettier one and he noticed I was envying his, so we switched plates. This time, mine was prettier and you will want to take your plate home as a souvenir (not that I am suggesting such a thing as you do not want to end up in SBH jail..well, that is one way to avoid going home..)

So since we were doing the light dinner, we opted to share a pizza: Parma ham (prosciutto) as opposed to regular ham ham) and it was a lovely pizza from a real woodburning oven with edges done just right..I like the crispier edges. Apparently there is liquid pepper sauce in SBH instead of or usual red pepper flakes, which I need for my pizza. (Next time, I bring my little package of red pepper flakes from my Costco pizza lunch!) There are other choices, and if were not sharing, I might have gone for the truffle pizza, where a generous amount of truffles were being shaved upon the pizza and also the pasta next door to my table. Nobody is stingy at La Casina!

It was all I could do to not have the chocolate fondant lava cake for dessert but dessert 2x per day when you can’t work out might have done me in. Next time! And yes, we sang the Italian song when the pasta on the Parmesan wheel came out! I downloaded the words so I could sing along, so it was fun.

Just a note, my dear friend from Le G. warned me that Sunday night at Mondo, the club next door would
be loud and rockin‘ with the local workers celebrating the end of the work week. We did not hear anything at all, with the way the intelligent landscape blocked the sound. We had lots of our own good music at La Casina.

Gotta go..plane is taking off. Fingers crossed we get back sometime !

 

[cec1]

I can tell you, Gina, that the chocolate fondant cake was “to die for!” Fortunately, my cake was shared among five of us!

La Casina is a winner, I agree. However, the guests — overwhelmingly, it seemed, under 30 — have a taste for much louder music than I like. Of course, when the pasta wheel came out, the decibel level was seriously amp’d up. Some in our party also were bothered by patrons sitting near them who were smoking.

I’ll, nonetheless, return. The La Casina folks who I came to know in November remembered me graciously, & a seat at the former “Chef’s Table“ (in Zion days) is calling me back!

 

[davesmom]

I can tell you, Gina, that the chocolate fondant cake was “to die for!” Fortunately, my cake was shared among five of us!

La Casina is a winner, I agree. However, the guests — overwhelmingly, it seemed, under 30 — have a taste for much louder music than I like. Of course, when the pasta wheel came out, the decibel level was seriously amp’d up. Some in our party also were bothered by patrons sitting near them who were smoking.

I’ll, nonetheless, return. The La Casina folks who I came to know in November remembered me graciously, & a seat at the former “Chef’s Table“ (in Zion days) is calling me back!

Oh, I agree about the smoking..every restaurant had it and honestly, it made me sicker than I was but since it isn’t my culture, I really don’t think I have the right to complain. Honestly, more people seemed to be smoking and vaping than ever and I must say, I was mildly shocked with all the people who are so concerned with health and pollution in the French press. (Nobody smokes in California..we have enough problems with fire without cigarettes..)
As for mostly younger people, we saw a real mix and many tables had parents and young adults together, which was so nice. It seemed like most patrons were having fun, no matter the age. I just felt like it has the atmosphere that Andy’s had, with music and singing, and the congeniality of the guests. It was a happy place. ( We are good with loud music, though, obviously since we go to Nikki, which we felt was quite a bit louder this year, so La Casina did not seem too much in comparison.).

The cake for sure la prochaine fois!

 

[cassidain]

So, Greg and Mimi of Le Piment are the sole proprietors of La Casina ?

 

[davesmom]

So, Greg and Mimi of Le Piment are the sole proprietors of La Casina ?

I only met Mimi, so I don’t know, but Dennis is an “owner savant” along with Kevin, so I imagine they will have the answer.

 

[le_reve]

Went to La Casina last night for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it! I had also had a big lunch a few hours prior and was not super hungry, so I just had the Vitello Tonnato for my main course. It was delicious! I have to say it is right up there with the one at Le Sereno, but very different presentation. I practically licked my plate.

My dining companions had pasta and pizza and all said they enjoyed their orders. The vibe is friendly, and we went early, so the noise level was not too bad. One person in the restaurant did order the parmesan wheel with the pasta, and when you do that they play a song while they serve it that is just a little too loud and a little too long. I can see where this would get annoying if many people order the dish and you have to hear this song over and over again. (I have a feeling that this "fun amenity" will get old quickly with both patrons and staff and will be discontinued at some point...). Parking is also a nightmare, but that is not their fault, of course.

Overall it was a great experience that doesn't break the bank, and I am looking forward to our return soon so I can try more of the menu! Highly recommended!

 

[cassidain]

Parking is also a nightmare, but that is not their fault, of course.

Maybe they need a valet service.
In the meantime, there's always Dennis' technique of valet parking at ER and having your cocktail at the SandBarBar before strolling down to La Casina.

 

[amyb]

Went to La Casina last night for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it! I had also had a big lunch a few hours prior and was not super hungry, so I just had the Vitello Tonnato for my main course. It was delicious! I have to say it is right up there with the one at Le Sereno, but very different presentation. I practically licked my plate.

My dining companions had pasta and pizza and all said they enjoyed their orders. The vibe is friendly, and we went early, so the noise level was not too bad. One person in the restaurant did order the parmesan wheel with the pasta, and when you do that they play a song while they serve it that is just a little too loud and a little too long. I can see where this would get annoying if many people order the dish and you have to hear this song over and over again. (I have a feeling that this "fun amenity" will get old quickly with both patrons and staff and will be discontinued at some point...). Parking is also a nightmare, but that is not their fault, of course.

Overall it was a great experience that doesn't break the bank, and I am looking forward to our return soon so I can try more of the menu! Highly recommended!

The rave for your Vitello tonnato is a good start!

 

[dadto6]

Two weeks ago, I had the Vitello Tonnato at Le Sereno, really enjoyed the dish. Glad to hear the Vitello Tonnato at La Casina is just as good. Reservation in pocket and counting down the days to dine at La Casina with Anita.

 

[TERP37]

They did a great job redesigning the interior and the atmosphere was very enjoyable-my wife and I found the food and service to be just OK-I am willing to give it a 2nd chance next year as i know it is a new restaurant and everyone goes through growing pains-

 

[cec1]

They did a great job redesigning the interior and the atmosphere was very enjoyable-my wife and I found the food and service to be just OK-I am willing to give it a 2nd chance next year as i know it is a new restaurant and everyone goes through growing pains-

Your assessment, TERP37, is interesting because I think it highlights something about La Casina that’s important to note — it’s a restaurant that‘s distinguished, I believe, as a “casual dining” venue . . . as opposed to “fine dining.”

In this regard, I’d like to be clear that I’ve dined at La Casina a number of times (four, I recall) & like it a lot. The food is very good and comfortable, with a good variety in classic Italian staples — pasta, pizza, various types of sauces, protein & vegetable dishes, and desserts. High quality food, at a reasonable price, in a casual, relaxed setting. The staff also is hard working & very friendly (though, a bit understaffed, IMO). The proprietors also have been pleasantly omnipresent, circulating through the restaurant, checking on patrons’ needs and satisfaction . . . as does the refined, highly mannered General Manager.

La Casina, however, is not “fine dining” . . . by which I mean grande cuisine -- showing meticulous preparation, high quality ingredients, diverse flavors, elaborate presentation, & often small portions — highlighting a chef’s creativity & talent. This opinion does not diminish my respect for La Casina . . . which is successful, I believe, for its high quality, highly affordable, food & casual dining environment.

 

[le_reve]

I've only been to La Casina once, and I only had one item as you all may have seen from my previous review - the vitello tonnato. And, I have to say, it was delicious - - and although a different preparation, I think it is my second favorite recently to Al Mare, which has been my number one on the planet for many years now. I happen to love vitello tonnato, and I have had some very poor vitello tonnatos (tonnatoes?) over the years, many on this island. (The old Villa Marie had the worst one I have ever had...). For a casual place to have such a good one, IMO, is a testament to their potential. Of course, I need to return and try some other items before I wax poetic, but what I did have makes me want to do just that!

 

[dadto6]

I agree with Dennis, you cannot expect the likes of L'Isola or Le Sereno at La Casina when the latter is half the price, something has to give.

 

[davesmom]

I love the place and find it so much fun with a warm and caring atmosphere. I am partial to the lemon pasta on my first visit, which I reviewed in January. We felt very welcome and "looked after" both times we went. Not every restaurant has to be "fine dining" as Dennis so aptly described, and it is nice to have both to choose from on the island. I would make it my "first night" as Andy's was!