Casa Blanca Restaurant

07/05/11

Casablanca in Venice, California

by Augustus1 at Citysearch

The Casablanca Restaurant is a classic type of Venice restaurant that people can simply fall in love with. It might seem old and very thematic as patterned to the movie of the same name. While the cuisine may be slightly different than expected, alas, it’s a restaurant you won’t be able to forget. Well at least, I can’t. And did I say it’s Mexican?

As a big fan of themes, I instantly liked Casablanca restaurant. It’s easy to see how much effort the management and owners have put into creating a very distinctive restaurant. There are murals of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman together with pictures of camels and a wooden bar. These are all part of the Casablanca memorabilia. If you know the movie very well, it’s like you are inside one of the sets waiting for the actors to make their appearance. It’s that close to its theme.

Aside from the remarkable setting, the staff is also very efficient and friendly. I don't have anything to complain about when it comes to their services. There’s a woman at the heart of the restaurant making fresh tortillas. I sat near her to watch. I gave her thumbs up signs from time to time and was well rewarded with fresh tortillas. Not bad. The tortillas are very delicious. It’s probably one of the best I have tasted on the Westside.

Just when I ordered, I did not expect to get my food as promptly as they served me. I specifically loved the seafood dishes. If you are looking for a good Valentine’s Day restaurant then Casablanca is a good choice. They offer a Valentine’s Day Pre-fixed dinner that costs only around $18. It actually comes with three courses, pretty decent and well worth the price. From the tortillas to the seafood, the food is fresh and has been well cooked and arranged.

Another important thing to commend about the restaurant is that it provides non-cream based dish as opposed to a majority of Mexican restaurants. If you are up for something different than creamy or fatty then you would find it appeasing that Casablanca can cater to you. Unless you request it, Casablanca is not the type of restaurant that sneaks in lard or fat into their dishes. I was fairly impressed with that aspect of their service.

The movie-themed ambiance may seem ironic with its cuisine but I found the combination very interesting and in fact very satisfying. The contrast is very evident but I really did not mind because they were both good in their own ways, so I think this type of service and setting works. I will definitely come back and perhaps try out their beef burritos and chicken enchiladas.

Samanatha Brockman, World's Finest Coffees

11/12/09

Still love it after all these years!

by natrad101 at Citysearch

Greatest calamari steak with a garlicky butter sauce - OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Easy to fill up on the fresh made tortillas and salsa verde that are served prior to the meal.

Margaritas are pricey, but the strawberry version was fine for $15.

All in all, still a great place to eat after 20 years of yearly visits!!!!

• Pros: Fabulous fresh-made tortillas and sauce and calamari steak
• Cons: NONE

07/11/09

Very disappointed

by mrsdisappointed at Citysearch

My husband I decided to check out Casablanca based on the supposed great reviews....were we totally disappointed! We should have walked out when we first walked in b/c the restaurant smelled like fish. The tacky fake rose napkin holders with the god awful decor and the singer with a black eye said it all - "SAVE YOUR MONEY & LEAVE!!" But we decided to try it out anyways. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas and were disappointed again when the contents looked more like lemonade than refreshing authentic margaritas. What a joke. $22 for fake margaritas! Then the tacos had more onions, bell peppers and letuce than the few cold pieces of beef. Save your money and dine else where. I don't think the previous reviewers have had real Mexican food. This place does not compare to anything authentic!

• Pros: homemade tortillas
• Cons: Chinzy tacos and ready mix margaritas

07/06/09

Meh

by lorenelindsay at Citysearch

really wanted to like this place, but the food was simply just not good. The service was slow and the margaritas were flavored water w/ seemingly no alcohol! I must say that I did enjoy the fresh flour tortillas and the green sauce they served with them, but unfortunately, the tortillas alone were not enough to bring me back.

• Pros: food, parking
• Cons: fresh flour tortillas & green sauce

04/26/09

Greatest Mexican Seafood place

by belanro1 at Citysearch

If you like old movies and fabulous food, this is the place for you. Casablanca is patterned after the movie and has memorabilia all over the restaurant, including in the banos. My favorite dish for the last 20+ years is the Mexican Seafood Pasta -- covers my three favorite cuisines all in one scrumptious dish.

• Pros: Homemade tortillas to die for