Casa D'Italia Market & Cafe
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: (206) 525-7747
- Price:
- $$
- Cross Street:
- 25th Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 4pm-9:30pm, Fri 4pm-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm
Editorial Review for Casa D'Italia Market & Cafe – by Anna Roth
The Scene
The cozy interior is jam-packed with tables, an antipasto-filled deli case and a limited stock of Italian imports, but outside, the large, leafy patio feels like an intimate backyard party. Owner Anthony Donatone is a whirlwind of energy around the place, personally visiting each table to explain the long list of daily changing specials written in Italian on a chalkboard. Service is leisurely, sometimes to a fault.
The Food
There is a printed menu, but the restaurant's treasures are found in the inventive daily creations. On a given day Anthony might feature spinach ravioli with a tomato-based sauce of wild boar, antelope and brisket, or pasta in a cream sauce with spicy Italian sausage. The cold heroes are also a favorite--all come stuffed with cold cuts and cheeses, doused in homemade Italian dressing and have names like the Sinatra. Don't miss the not-too-sweet ricotta cheesecake.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
When to GoReservations aren't taken; go early or late or be prepared to wait.
Save MoneyThe portions are huge--pay the minimal split-plate charge and share or go home with leftovers.
What to DrinkThe Apertivo is the epitome of a refreshing summer cocktail, made with Orvieto white wine, bitters and a lemon twist and served cold in a wine glass.
The ExtrasCatering is available, including antipasto, cold cut, sandwich and Italian cookie plates. Call Anthony for other requests.
User Reviews for Casa D'Italia Market & Cafe
02/15/2008 Posted by jojoseattle
First if you aren't Italian or from New York I take what you say with a grain of salt, since I am both. In Seattle there are very vew legitimate Italian Eateries and especially ones that last longer than year. The fact that it has been open for years and they do have oustanding food and Italian-esq portion makes it a must visit.
Pros: Food, Staff, drinks, patio
Cons: Size
02/14/2008 Posted by kerramichele
This was the worst food served to me in a long time. My boyfriend and I decided to go here because we both LOVE Italian food (I've lived in Italy and he's half Italian) and we really like little hole-in-the-wall, mom-and-pop type restaurants -- not to mention the Citysearch editors recommended it in last week's e-mail. He ordered the caesar salad and I ordered the minestrone to start. His salad was practically inedible because so much vinegar (not balsamic, but regular vinegar) was dumped on top of it. The minestrone was basically a bowl FULL of oil with some random vegetables thrown in, which were clearly a jumble of every frozen veggie you can buy in the freezer isle -- and all over-cooked. For the main courses we both ordered a special; he a pasta in a goat cheese and pesto sauce and me roasted turkey over a bed of roasted potatoes and fresh vegetables. When I got my entree I was surprised to see that my dish was, literally, some turkey in a bowl with minestrone dumped on top of it. LITERALLY. I mentioned to my waitress that I had basically ordered two bowls of minestrone and she just said, "Oh, you're right. I never thought about that. Tee hee!" I was hungry to I started eating it anyway, only to find huge chunks of cartilage and a small BONE in my bowl. I never send things back but since all our food had been horrible that night (my boyfriend's pasta was the most oily thing I'd ever seen served) and it was a $15 dish, I told the waitress I wouldn't pay for it. She then asked the owner, who was sitting two tables from us in the completely empty restaurant, if I could send it back and he got really mad but said yes. He then proceeded to stomp around the 300 sq. ft. room bossing the wait staff around and scolding the guy in the kitchen. It was very awkward and uncomfortable. The dessert we had was good and they took my entree off the bill, which is the only reason I'm giving them 2 stars. If you want good, rustic Italian, I recommend Machiavelli.
Pros: Never busy
Cons: Unknowledgeable wait staff, poor food quality
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