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Casablanca On Elizabeth

Editorial Review

Editorial Review

Casablanca stars Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart adorn the walls; the owner/chef is a soccer-mad Fijian/Indian and the food is Italian - crazy, eh? But, like its namesake film, there's nothing crazy about the restaurant's longevity and success. Fifteen years after opening it's still packing them in, night after night: youngies, businessmen, partying groups and at least one lot of ladies who have eaten here every Monday night for the past 12 years. It's that sort of place. Drop-ins become regulars and regulars stay loyal. You don't have to look far to understand why.

Flavours are great, portions generous, prices reasonable, service spot-on, wines well-priced, and the menu is huge and changes regularly. Gargantua could start with a thin, crisp herb pizza, then choose from seven entrees, move on to any one of 19 pasta options before tucking into a saffron risotto, scallopine con pomodoro, chilli prawns, twice-cooked duck or pepper steak from a choice of 19 mains and round off with a simple dessert and excellent coffee. Or choose one of the best pizzas in town - from a selection of 28. That everything on such an extensive menu comes fresh and full of flavour is one secret of their success. The other is their casual, friendly and totally unpretentious and unforced generosity.

Graeme Phillips, June 2006