I ate here for dinner while visiting friends in Fort Wayne. Â They had previously been to a different Casa location and raved about their Chicago-Style pizza which I was excited to try.
This location did not serve the pizza which was a big disappointment to all. Â However, the food overall was very good. Â Service was very slow and our waitress was a little bit forgetful, was not quick with waters or refills of bread or drinks. Â
We each had the side salad. Â The salads were very big for just a side and were tasty too. Â I ordered the stuffed salmon with mushroom risotto as my entree and was not disappointed. Â The portion of risotto was ginormous, almost as big as an entree portion should be. Â The salmon was a little dry (as usual for stuffed and baked salmon) but the stuffing was delish and even better was the spicy tomato and calamari sauce it was served with.
The atmosphere was nice and we only waited for about 15 minutes.
Seriously? I don't understand why this place is recommended by anyone. Horrible, slow service, overly salted food, and a pretty dismal drink selection.
Many of the reviews raved about the "casaburro salad" which turns out to be a packaged salad mix (mostly iceberg) and their house dressing--pretty much a bland caesar. Our server said that every single item on the menu was "awesome" (that's the only description she could give) so I decided to try the veal cannelloni, my go-to standard for Italian restaurants. It came out on a plate covered in goopy thick cheese (maybe provolone?) resembling a wet burrito more than a pasta. The taste wasn't much better: salt.
Add to that the hair in my water and the server continually referring to people as "bucko" and I'd put this down as one of the worst meals I've ever had.
I have never been to this Casa before. Â It is a lot different than the "newer" style Casa's. Â That might be good, because I have heard complaints that the newer ones are quite loud. Â This Casa was busy for dinner, but we were seated within 3 minutes and our server was great. Â Usually, I have to ask for parmesan cheese and olive oil, but our server brought it to the table immediately. Â That was refreshing, to get bread right away - it seems lately that I have to wait for the rolls/bread until almost the meal arrives. Â The fried ravioli appetizer was good, ravioli was crispy on outside and had good flavor. Â The minestrone also had a good flavor. Â Spaghetti and meatballs was a little "watery", like they didn't drain the pasta enough before they plated it. Â Pasta was perfectly cooked, however. Â So many places over cook the pasta and it becomes mushy. Â Had the chocolate cake for dessert. Â YUM! Â I wish it came with ice cream, though :) Â All in all, it was a good meal and we had great service. Â I will be back to this "older" Casa.
Review Source:We enjoy eating at Casa's several times each year. Â My wife and I typically shovel down a large Insalata Casaburo salad, a pasta dish or two, maybe some minestrone and a glass of pinot grigio. Â Room for dessert?...not usually, but if there is, then an Espresso and a Cannoli might be in order!
Specifics:
1. The aforementioned signature house salad is AWESOME!!! Â I think they suggest that the large salad is good four servings, but like i said, the two of us (with a combined weight of about 275 lbs) finish it no problem because it is soooooooo good.
2. Minestrone: Â A hearty tomato based soup with a deep flavor. Â Looooooove it!
3. Pasta: Â I usually get something like the Linguine Tutto Mare or Linguine Con Gamberetti (both have seafood, usually in their casa marinara, or their spicy marinara.) Â Both are wonderful!!! Â If i want to go a little bit more on the simple side, i'll just get the Capellini con Salsa di Pomodoro (with both olives and mushrooms) and I enjoy that a bunch also. Â The one dish that I have had in the past and I really don't enjoy is the Cavetelli con Quattro Formaggi (4 different cheeses combined in a cream sauce over pasta.) Â I guess if you like a ton of cheese, that dish is for you.
4. Kids pasta: Â When we take the kids, they all love the Mac & Cheese.
5. Dessert: Â Usually pretty good, but I have had the occasional somewhat dried out piece of cake, or kind-of soggy cannoli, but like I said, they are usually pretty good. Â We do miss the frozen sorbet's that they used to have many years ago (sniff, sniff.)
6. Ambiance: Â OK. Â Very casual, in a pretty small eating area. Â I prefer to eat in a more formal setting, and some people may think that this is, but the interaction with the staff (host & wait staff included), the seating areas, and the general presentation of the food is pretty casual...so just expect that before you go. Â (and I always have to ask for a spoon for twirling my pasta...and I think that should already be on the plate.) Â Sometimes I think the host/hostess seats you in the most inconvenient place...like the time the place was 1/2 full, but instead of seating us (a married couple out on a date) in a table off by yourselves somewhere, they plopped us down right next to a single guy who looked like he was straight out of Monty Python's "Meaning of Life", Mr. Creasote, i think, saying, "Oh, I suppose, just one tiny little mint." Â Not pretty. Â If that happens, just ask to be reseated somewhere else!
Overall though, I'd recommend this and any of the Casa restaurants to people in the area....and you can purchase bottles of their salad dressing to take home! (not quite the same as in the restaurant...but close.)
I was in the area and based on the previous reviews I decided to give this place a try. When I entered, the host tried to seat me at a 4-top table right in the middle of the room. I was by myself and the place was nearly empty prior to lunch. Since there were plenty of cozy 2-top tables I asked to be seated along the wall. The host did not hide his annoyance.
The waitress offered me Pepsi products. I requested hot tea and was pleased with the way it was served with a lemon wedge and an additional pot of hot water for a second cup. She seemed in a hurry and did not describe any of the specials as I overheard another waitress at a nearby table do.
I ordered a cup of the lentil soup and the Manicotti lunch special that came with the house salad. The soup broth was tasty but the vegetables were cooked to death and mushy. The house salad was simply a bunch of chopped lettuce absolutely drowning in dressing so that the lettuce was all wilted and a salty/oily mess. The small loaf of bread was okay, but nothing special. Just flavorless white bread. The Manicotti was on single shell, stuffed with flavorless ricotta cheese and swimming in a boat of red sauce that was enough for about 10 shells. The flavor of the marinara sauce was okay and I think if I had just ordered spaghetti I could have enjoyed it.
I definitely won't go out of my way to eat here a second time. There are better options for Italian food in Ft Wayne.
Amazing house salad. I come here JUST for the casaburro salad. But that's about all I can say. The pasta and sauces are just average. You would think an Italian restaurant would know how to do it right. I've been to some great Italian restaurants in Youngstown OH and they put Casa to shame. Hoping some changes are made in the future and Casa goes towards a fresher, more natural menu.
Review Source:Wow what can I say, except my husband and I were the only ones without a hearing aid. That must mean the older generation learned how to use yelp. Because no one in their right mind would give this place a good review. The Mt Dew tasted a mix of lemon, soda water & koolaid. The garlic bread was like Texas Toast from the grocery (which was the highlight if the meal) & requesting a sauce change to alfredo will cost you 3.99. The real Italians over at Olive Garden will welcome you with open arms.
Review Source:This is my favorite Italian restaurant in the US, and I have been to many! Â I have enjoyed coming here for years, and every single time and at every single location, Casa has never failed to deliver extraordinary Italian food. Â There's a huge variety of choices on the menu, and many dishes come with a side of pasta in the sauce of your choice. Â A particular favorite of mine is the linguine alla carbonara (the Alfredo sauce is the best I have ever had!), but I've never had a dish short of excellent here. Â The cream sauces are flavorful and obviously made with real cream, and the marinara sauce is sweet, with just a few whole tomatoes (enough to make it interesting). Â The bread with olive oil and freshly grated parmesan cheese is tasty, but it would be nice to have some balsamic vinegar for the oil. Â My husband and I make it a point to come here from Indianapolis, over-order, and bring a cooler so that we can eat Casa during the rest of the week. Â There is no reason any Olive Garden in a 1-hour radius from any Casa location should ever survive!!!
Review Source:my mom and grandparents dont even have to ask where i want to eat when i vist any more.. its always casa! Â
It is a quiet little place and its very cute inside..
we have been eating here since.. i .. well since ever...
the salad... i love the salad... soo much.. my mom actually gave me 4 bottles for christmas ! haha its so good and the bread that the serve with it... its so crusty on the outside.. light and airy on the inside..
the cheesy bread is my favorite appetizer,
for my meal i either get spinach raviolli, or tutte mare which is clams and such in linguine..
they wait staff is very friendly and always keep our teas full!
im sad i have to wait another year or so before i can eat here again.
My wife and I enjoyed our dinner at Casa. Careful, the sign at the street says "Casa Ristorante Italiano" and it's also known as "Casa Mare," but it's the only Italian restaurant on Parnell just across from the Coliseum.
I had the rigatoni bianco, which was wonderfully cheesy and had very tasty sausage baked into it. My wife had the tortellini burro, which was served in a butter sauce that she described as "perfect."
The only downer was the service. Not bad, just inexperienced, and he seemed to be in a big hurry. I would have had a beer instead of a soft drink, but he jumped right to "Pepsi products" so aggressively that I assumed they had no beer, just wine. I saw another diner drinking a beer shortly thereafter, though, but decided to stick with my sugar water. He also offered to get us boxes within a few minutes of getting our entrees and every few minutes after that. They weren't terribly busy for a Wednesday night, and he said he was going to be there "all night," so I'm not sure what the hurry was, other than inexperience. He also didn't offer any dessert (not that I'd have had room with the sizable entree, but you need to ask).
All in all, a very pleasant dining experience, and highly recommended if you like Italian food.
Vegetarians- try the pasta con vedure with asparagus. Â It's tasty! Â Unfortunately the complimentary bread leaves a lot to be desired. Â Fortunately their main courses make up for the sometimes crunchy, sometimes soft, always bland bread. Â One final tip: Â the casa's salad has anchovies so request the veggie dressing.
Review Source:Ya know, maybe it's just me, people. Â Maybe there is something very, very wrong with me but ... I'm about to be the downer on this group so far. Â My feeling on Casa is that they are so-so.
Don't get me wrong, I've been there many times, maybe 50 (to the various locations -- all consistent across the board).
I love their Casa Burro salad, the bread is crusty on the outside and soft and airy on the inside, and the butter is always soft enough to use way more than is necessary for your piece of bread.
The vegetable primavera is very good, nice thin noodles with a butter white wine sauce and beautifully not-too-soft, not-too-undercooked asparagus and other delectables. Â
They used to have this amazing, truly stunning, fried calamari with an (unless I was otherwise totally fooled) homemade aioli, all served on a bed of fresh greens. Â It was a great seafood dish for a (mostly) landlocked state. Â But, they went and ditched the aioli and serve it with a marinara which, to me, is simply adding a big layer of boring to the calamari. Â Seriously, can anyone tell me what happened to this beloved app of mine?
The other thing, the wine. Â There is nothing on the menu that excites me, and their price by the glass is outrageous for what you get in quantity and quality. Â
Anyway, you can go cheap there ... share a large salad with a friend or two, get a cup of lentil soup (always good), and you're in and out for less than $5.
To be fair, I've never had the pizza and hear it's very good. Â
I'm not going to never go to Casa's again, but I just don't often go out of my way to make the trip.
I love Casas! We go every time we visit home. Pretty much everything is delicious. The lasagna, tortellini verde, Insalata Casaburo salad...
We always split a large Insalata Casaburo and then get an entree. I leave stuffed but very happy. Very reasonably priced. Wait staff is always friendly, helpful, and responsive.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Fort Wayne! Â
First off, I love their food. Â Great Italian food, not terribly expensive. Â I've never had a bad experience there. Â I have to say I like it better than Biaggi's.
They have a tempting display of desserts in the lobby (I think you can order a whole cheesecake or whatever) but I've never had any. Â It looks really good though!
Secondly, great, lovely atmosphere. Â Nice place for a date, or a group of friends. Â There's a fun colorful mural on the wall that adds a lot of character to the place.
I've had wonderful, friendly service every time I've been there.
Last year my fiance and some friends planned a surprise birthday dinner for me there. Â It was wonderful- good place to go for a special birthday :)
Lastly, I must add a little warning- do not park in the Kittles parking lot next to the restaurant, as big, empty, and inviting as the parking lot may look. (I tried to once when Casa's was full) Â Cops watch over it and they will remind you that it is for Kittles customers only and if you park there your car will be towed... yikes.
So, all in all, awesome place. Â Definitely worth checking out!
How are there no reviews for Casa?
Back in high school, we used to call ahead and order a bunch of salads and someone would go get them during our (open) lunch -- delicious, though not nearly as healthy as we imagined. Ah, memories.
Technically this one is Casa Mare, and they specialize in seafood. All of the Casa D'Angelo family restaurants have a slightly different focus, but they are all delicious. Of course, they are most known around FW for the aforementioned Casa salad, which is a delicious mix of greens, tomatoes, croutons, parmesan and the best dressing around. Makes you want to lick the bowl.
But you can't go wrong with the rest of the food, either. Italian specialities from pasta to chicken to fish, crusty warm bread, and homemade desserts... a great place for a family meal or a special night out. I miss Casa. Can you tell?
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