The English translation of Casalingo is homely or home-made, and there is perhaps no better description for this authentic and welcoming restaurant. In fact, it is the perfect place to take your mother, so good job she’s by my side as we enter a restaurant that has been thriving on Preston Street for over the last 30 years. Many a restaurant in Brighton has tried and failed to survive against the competition of this area, but Angelo and Geri’s Casalingo has lasted the distance.
The true mark of a top-notch Italian restaurant is one that attracts the Italians and foodies of the area, and this is exactly what Casalingo in Brighton does with its quality dishes and service. Its sophisticated yet simple décor centres around arches of elegant, white lights and traditional Italian pictures on the wall including Sophia Loren enjoying a bowl of Spaghetti Bolognaise.
My mother orders a glass of Rosé, which impresses her so much she immediately asks to see the bottle – Sella & Mosca, Alghero Rosato – for your information. As a tea-totaller myself, I am more interested by the warm olive bread and bowl of olives that arrives at our table. The bread is so light it could float away on a sea breeze, and dunking the airy deliciousness into an oil and balsamic vinegar dressing is a dreamy start.
Still with plenty of room, I order a starter of Prosciutto e fichi (baked figs wrapped in Parma ham filled with goats cheese) which is rich and warming. However, I cannot refrain from stealing fresh chunks of melon from my mum’s plate, as her simple summer special of Proscuitto and Melone also hits all the right notes.
So far so good, but it is about to get even better, with a Spaghetti alla Bolognese so delectable it would take mere mortals years to recreate in the kitchen. This is an authentic dish to savour, ideally with one of the fine Italian red wines on the menu. Proving it can whip up an Italian classic no sweat, Casalingo also excels at fish, with my mum thoroughly enjoying a fresh fish platter of fried calamari, cold-water-prawns, whitebait, king prawns, smoked tuna and smoked swordfish slices.
By this stage, we were full, but enjoying the brilliant service from the Italian-born waiting staff far too much to leave anytime soon. Whilst Tiramisu is one of my favourite desserts of all time, my eye was instead tempted by Torta al Limoncello – or what it should really be called – heaven. Made of fresh lemon, mascarpone cream and on a ginger biscuit base, this dessert is truly something special. I was recently made a cheesecake by a private chef in Tuscany and whilst it was of similar perfection, I think Casalingo’s just about pips it to the post.
And this probably says everything you need to say about Casalingo. The restaurant produces food to rival Tuscany because it is made and served by Italians who are passionate about bringing only the best of their cuisine to the shores of Brighton. We are grateful that we had the opportunity to visit this gem of a restaurant.
Website: https://casalingorestaurant.com/
Address: 29 Preston St, Brighton, Brighton and Hove, Brighton BN1 2HP
