|
Review content:
I am surprised to see the bad reviews of the food. I grew up in an Italian family in New York, and everywhere I go, I struggle to find pizza and Italian food that is as good as back home. Casalinga's food exceeds the quality of most Italian restaurants in the New York/New Jersey area, and exceeds the quality of the food cooked by my aunt's and uncle's at the many Italian weddings I have attended growing up. Please don't tell that to my family, they'd be insulted!\r
\r
I took my father to this restaurant, who grew up with Italian immigrants in the heart of Brooklyn, arguably the source of the best pizza on earth. My father, unfamiliar with the restaurant and the owners, tasted the thick crust Sicilian pizza and he said ""This reminds of of the pizza I grew up with in Brooklyn...in fact, it reminds of of the Pizza you'd get on 18th avenue in Bensonhurst."" I told him I happened to know the pizza cook moved to Raleigh from Long Island...and my father said ""Well, he may have moved here from Long Island, but this recipe is from Bensonhurst."" When we met the chef, sure enough, he was correct.\r
\r
In my opinion, the sicilian pizza available at Casalinga is the best I have ever had, anywhere. I have also sampled many other dishes there, and all I can say is that it ranks with the best. Amazing considering this place in Raleigh, about as far as you can get from Italian roots.\r
\r
As far as the comments on service...this place feels very European. If you've ever been to Italy or France, you would know the service is slow in restaurants, and the seating cramped. In Italy, they call it ""slowing down, enjoying your food, and getting to know your neighbor."" \r
\r
Otherwise, if you want snappy service, a formatted menu, and food that exactly matches what you expect, go to Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill.\r
\r
As far as the location, I agree it isn't that great. So that would b e the only negative for me. Hence the rating of 9 instead of 10.\r
Pros: Best pizza in Raleigh, great food
Cons: Bad location
|