Trattoria Casa Mia (Umtentweni)

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

Reviewed by The Fay Way

Casa Mia is a family owned Italian pizzeria located on the banks of the Umtentweni river. As a part of the Umtentweni waterfront, the little restaurant offers a very relaxed holiday atmosphere both to holiday makers and locals alike.

Casa Mia is, perhaps to most people, a funny little place. Difficult to gauge when they’re open as they take their family holidays to Italy at (what would sometimes seem) odd times of the year. But those of us who have grown to love the little eatery, are happy to put up with the strange business hours so that we can partake of their delicious fare.

We've been to Casa Mia for dinner on a hot summer evening and for lunch in the middle of winter and I can tell you that no matter what time of day, or what time of year, the setting is just perfect. The wooden deck offers shaded seating that overlooks the manicured lawn just this side of the wild riverside vegetation and mellow river beyond. Inside seating is surrounded by chalk board specials and a friendly bar/nook covered on one side by a collection of children’s drawings depicting exactly why “we love Casa Mia” and reminds us that the restaurant is part of a loving Italian family, one that we are invited to be a part of when we visit.

I love doing these reviews; but for the most part I try to experience the restaurant as an “average” person. I look at the menu and select my dishes as varied as I can, often forgoing my favourite dishes in favour of those that will most likely show the heart of the restaurant. BUT. Casa Mia I’d arm wrestle you for. And yes, you guessed it: I won. Anti pasti starter for two. Priced really well considering the ingredients are imported from Italy, and you will get no better quality anywhere. Copa, parma ham, provolone cheese, sundried tomatoes and olives with freshly baked bread. So delicious and simple, even the exquisite flavour of the olive oil dressing could shine.