Il Casale

6 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

I have been here many times over the past few years. Always pretty good pizza, but they are starting slop their bases. I'm not a fan of that, too much wet tomato and cheese. I don't want to eat my pizza with a spoon thanks. That's called pasta, I believe.

I wish they would deliver too. Friendly enough staff although you should double check your takeaway order as they have got mine wrong a couple of times. A good option if you have kids as it's very noisy and family orientated.

I recently went back for pizza after a few years abstinence. Pizza bases are still soggy and this time I noticed some "hundreds and thousands" in the chilli on my table, a small gripe. Service is still lovely, nothing has changed.

Dec 28, 2011 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

No other restaurant on the peninsula embodies family generosity like Il Casale. We go there for a weekly meal and are never disappointed, and whenever we take family and friends they talk about it for weeks after. It’s the only place I can take my in-laws and know they won’t find fault.

The food is classic Italian—pastas and pizza literally spilling over the plate—and the house wine, which comes by the litre (or half-litre if you must) is the perfect accompaniment. The penne crab is a must-have and the spaghetti marinara boasts a fresh array of seafood in a light-but fragrant sauce.

The host and his wife are larger-than-life characters, who remember your order and treat you like family. If you have room, the desserts are also divine, with offerings of classic tiramisu, gelato and even a nutella pizza that the kids will love.

Balmain often suffers from taking itself too seriously. The only thing they’re serious about at Il Casale is the quality of food. Everything else simply makes for a great, and truly relaxed evening of friends, family and fun.

Nov 30, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  7      Value  8     

I been going to Il Casale for several years now! always found nice food and ambience, and always see same people going there for dinner! so the owners and staff they must do something right! I recommend to try.

Nov 07, 2011 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  2      Ambience  2      Service  1      Value  1     

We have been here a number of times over the years and as it had been awhile since we'd been there we decided to take the kids recently for a bite to eat. Hard to believe a place can go down hill as much as this place has or maybe in the past we got lucky. The senior staff (who I'd never seen cook) was the 'kitchen staff' for the night and a relative was greeting customers.

To start with she hates customers, even well behaved customers, that became pretty obvious straight away and we watched her for awhile serving tables. She seriously needs a personality transplant and Should Not be working in the customer service industry. As for her husband, to put himself in the kitchen cooking I can only assume they are on the way out and trying to cut costs.

The food was terrible and as people below have mentioned the prices are astronomical! I would be betting this place will be under new management soon, let's hope anyway. Until that time we certainly won't be back and we won't be recommending this place to anyone.

Jun 03, 2011 

1.5 Not Recommended

Food  3      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Give this place a wide berth unless you appreciate paying exhorbitant prices, being leared on/abused by the owner, being ripped off or generally after the worst night out of your life! The owner often struts about in a singlet top and bar/kitchen area leave a lot to be desired. The only hygeine you would be lucky to find here is a tall lady that goes by the name 'Jeanne'! Lots of other great pizza places to enjoy in Balmain that appreciate their customers so leave this one to the desperados.

Feb 26, 2011 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Terrible restaurant - rip-off merchants. Overpriced food, rude and no concern for the customer. Charged us $52 for 2 pastas and $50 for 2 salads! Highway robbery and when queried could only rant about the cost of rent and the price of groceries. There are too many other great authentic Italian wood fired pizza restaurants in Balmain to waste time here with overpriced food and people looking to overcharge you at every step. Since when did a small plate of fried calamari rings with a few sprigs of lettuce cost $28? Pizzas at $24. Overpriced and no customer service, rather the owner is rude and would rather abuse you with his swearing and rantings about prices than please the customer. Will not recommend - in fact locals, avoid this place! Many other kid friendly places in Balmain at moderate prices.

Jan 19, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  2      Value  3     

Have been here many times over the years but stopped going because of the burnt pizza crusts. This time around the service was very poor. Music blared out of a speaker above our heads and when we asked them to turn it down they led us to a different corner with another speaker blaring above our heads. The pizzas were Ok (only a little burnt) but the Pappardella was overcooked with hardly any prawns. We were given the bill before we finished eating as they wanted to shut up shop. Won't be going back.

Jan 06, 2011 

3.5 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  3      Service  4      Value  4     

Unfortunately, I've been there recently for a first date and I didn't make a good impression choosing this restaurant! I don't think the ambience is ideal for couple as kids are running around all the time. The music is way too loud, I could barely hear the girl. As for the food: big disappointment!

My main arrived half an hour after her pizza, which, by the way, was very oily, and with not enough toppings for the price we paid! The service is not very fast as the staff is limited to just 2 waiters. I would not recommend this restaurant to anybody.

Jun 28, 2010 

10 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  10     

I loved this restaurant, family owned and the food was so delicious! Prices were pretty good too so that made for a great dinner with great value, left feeling content and well fed! Yumm I'll be back for their house pizza and their gnocchi gorgonzola. It's very traditional italian, not fancy new age, just good honest italiano.

May 27, 2010 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  10      Service  7      Value  9     

The food is good to great, service is prompt, ambience and general atmosphere is uplifted by the wonderfully funny antics of the owner/maitre de. Have been back 4 times now and going again tonight. Note: one time I went service was slow because of a clustered booking, so just drank some more wine and enjoyed the company and atmosphere, the food was worth the wait.

Feb 06, 2010