It is well-known that the experience of enjoying Italian food is all about spending time with family and loved ones, so it makes sense that Casanova was opened by three Italian friends; Antonio Cersosimo, Luca Montuori and Angelo Montuori. Having been in operation for more than a decade, the trio aim to bring authentic Italian dishes to Cardiff, using the best of seasonal, local produce.
Inside, Casanova is split across two floors, with both the downstairs and upstairs dining rooms featuring dark wood furnishings, pendant lighting and artwork on the walls. When it comes to Casanova’s menu, you can expect a seasonally evolving selection of dishes, which is kept relatively short to ensure that only the best produce is being used.
Begin your meal with starters such as sweet and sour sardines on toasted focaccia (a traditional Venetian dish), or beef carpaccio which is topped with mixed leaves, mustard dressing and Parmesan shavings which have been aged for 36 months. Moving on to main courses, you might find traditional pasta dishes such as slow-cooked goat ragu in a red wine sauce or pasta with king prawns and cuttlefish.
If you are not in the mood for pasta, you can instead choose from Casanova’s list of meat and fish based dishes. Order the likes of roasted rump of Welsh lamb with cauliflower purée and new potatoes, or the fish of the day. There is not a lot of choice for vegetarians, but wild mushroom risotto with porcini butter and truffle oil is a tempting option.
Prices are mid-range here, but set menus at lunch time mean you can enjoy a three-course meal for under £20. When it comes to drinks, there is an array of Italian wines to choose from, while all of the usual beers, spirits and cocktails are also available.