Casa DiLeo expands for ninth season
With three updated dining rooms, a large bar, live entertainment and a friendly staff ready to take on the crowds, owner John DiLeo is looking forward to his ninth season at Casa DiLeo.
The Italian eatery on Rehoboth Avenue Extd. started with a five-seat bar and one room, DiLeo said. “But then we had some momentum going, and it sort of evolved. With a little foresight, we grabbed the place next door and expanded to the left. Then we took on another room to the right, being the Tuscan room, and tripled in size.”
Building his name and reputation for more than 20 years as an executive chef at other well-known restaurants in the Cape Region, DiLeo said in 2004, when he saw an opportunity to open his own place on Rehoboth Avenue, he knew the time was right. He opened Casa DiLeo and invited diners to enjoy his home-cooking.
Now offering authentic Italian fare in the main dining room, at an extended bar, in a romantically Italian-themed Tuscan room or the nautical family room, DiLeo said he is looking forward to serving summer crowds in addition to his loyal local following.
Authentic entrees such as veal osso bucco, offered along with inventive salads and slices roughly one-third the size of an entire pizza pie starting at $4 are part of offering value for his customers that DiLeo says has always been an important ingredient in his recipe for success.
“A lot of people will come here and get a slice and a draft beer,” he said. “It’s a nice place to hang your hat.”
General Manager Diego Lascano said he is pleased with the commitment to personal, friendly service and growth he has seen at Casa since joining the team last winter.
“Now that we are going into the ninth season, we want to put our name back on the map,” Lascano said. “We are the place locals come to hang out. We have the space where families come to celebrate a special occasion.”
As summer dates fill up with entertainment, the Lascano said he is still looking forward to offering more live acoustic entertainment at the eatery this season.
Newly recruited and Johnson and Wales-educated executive chef Chad Travis said he’s learned a lot in his short time at Casa with DiLeo as a mentor.
“There are a lot of big, positive changes happening here,” Travis said. “I get a whole lot of influence from the head honcho here, John DiLeo. He’s showing me the ropes of authentic Italian cuisine.”
For take-out, delivery, catering, reservations or more information, contact Casa DiLeo at 302-226-8660 or online at www.casa-dileo.com.
