Casa Nonna

Reviewed on: 2012-06-21 By: Karen Holly Berliner
Cuisine type: Italian
Price range: 15-30
Address: 310 West 38th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenue) New York, NY
Phone: (212) 736-3000

Julius Caesar is a famous and classic story, written by Shakespeare's and blending the historic events of the reign of this iconic Roman emperor. Currently performed at the Baruch Performing Arts Center, it is steeped in Italian romanticism and tragedy. Italy always conjures up good Italian home cooking.

When eating out, it’s nice at times to feel at home, comfortable and relaxed. Casa Nonna translates literally to grandmother's house in Italian and as in real life; this place exudes a visit to family. Enter and glance to your immediate right and notice the open kitchen complete with stools for casual dining. Warm caramel colored leather booths and nooks mingle with simple rectangular tables, offering the perfect contrast to the wall of eclectic artwork.

Traditional dishes with contemporary twists keep menu choices inventive, first esthetically in presentation and then interesting to the palette, where it counts the most. Perhaps start with some foccacia triangles baked with ricotta cheese, olive oil and rosemary. Next perhaps the fritto misto complete with calamari, cod, julienne vegetables and chive aioli or a prosciutto salad with poached pear in a wine vinaigrette, fresh, flavorful and dressed like flowers, coupled with a chunk of “drunken” gouda and buffalo mozzarella in a generous enough portion to share. Their calamari in the lighted tempura crust pulls off the fusion of Italian and Japanese beautifully, while the charred octopus with cilantro and sundried tomatoes adds another ethnic note to the mix.

House made Fennel Sausage with a salsa verde is a treat and the basic pizza margherita is a perfect choice for picky eaters. Sip on one of their specialty cocktails such as the Sicilian Lemonade mixed with blood orange puree, freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup and seltzer or have your server recommend a wine for pairing. For dessert, their tall glass dish of vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce with a shot of pure espresso poured over it, is heavenly, sassy and worthy of indulgence.

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