| Casa Nostra Restaurant

Our Vision

Casa Nostra means Our Home.

Any Italian from the old country will tell you with unquestionable conviction that the very best Italian food has always been served at home.

At Casa Nostra, we strive to duplicate the flavor and comforting wholesomeness of those genuine dishes served in country homes throughout the various regions of Italy.

Our aim is to let you eat from the kitchen of a fine Italian Mamma. What her husband and sons did for a living is another story you don’t want to get into!

We’re all about simple, delicious food in generous portions using only the finest ingredients.

Welcome to Casa Nostra, our home! Please check out our Menu!

Our History

In 1991, our maestro Joseph Velardi opened up Casa Nostra Restaurant in Burlingame, San Francisco. It was hailed by critics and customers alike, including renowned celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain in his book “Kitchen Confidential“, as offering something special: old style, authentic Italian cuisine served in an innovative, refreshing way owing to the unique recipes and style of the food. The name “Casa Nostra“, meaning “our home” in Italian was also an ironic take on the “Cosa Nostra” mafia nickname, something that also reflected Joey‘s personal experiences from his youth in Las Vegas.

After moving to the Philippines, Joey brought with him his passion for this concept of delivering traditional Italian cuisine. He secured the franchise of Italianni’s for the Bistro Group (as well as TGI Friday’s and Outback) and opened up a series of hugely successful Italian restaurants including La Scala (famous for singing waiters!) and Mezza Luna amongst others . In June, the former La Grotta was bought and a new Casa Nostra restaurant in Manila born!

Below you can see (just click on the link) the menu and service manual from our Casa Nostra Restaurant in San Francisco! Our vision is as true today as it was then…

*******Old Casa Nostra San Francisco menu*******

Our Team

Capitano Joey Velardi.

It’s hard to know where to start or end when trying to summarize the bio of our owner, Joseph Velardi, but here is a brief summary…

In the food and hotel industry for some 50 years, Joey‘s CV reads like a “who’s who” of the F&B industry. In Korea, he set up and ran the Sheraton Walker Hill Resort and Casino. While in Seoul, he also happened to open (in 1972) a “Casa Nostra” type Italian restaurant called La Cantina, which is still going strong today! In Karachi, Joey set up the Clifton Beach Casino for Stanley Ho, while in Hong Kong he founded the first premier steakhouse: The San Francisco Steakhouse, a renowned success. Also in Hong Kong over a ten year period, Joey designed and built the Ah-So Floating Sushi Bar, the first of it’s concept in Asia, as well as Casa Mexicana and Lindy’s Delicatessen. Meanwhile in Taiwan, Joey managed the Dynasty Group- which included building and running the original TGI Friday’s and Hard Rock Cafe, as well as up-market restaurants such as The Marquis. In Thailand, Joey set up the Banana Fan Sea Resort, while back in Las Vegas he was responsible for the Shakey’s Pizza franchise.

In the Philippines, to say that Joey Velardi is well known amongst the F&B crowd would be putting it lightly- he is a legend. From 1995 to 1999, he built and ran the Mimosa Leisure Estate including two furnished hotels (Holiday Inn and Montevista) and the Hollywood-themed Regency Casino. In 1999, Joey was COO of of Fairways and Bluewater Resort, overseeing over 300 employees and building a the five star luxury villas, clubhouse, 36 golf course and the hosting of the Johnnie Walker Classic. From 2002, Joey took over management of the Bistro Group where he helped secure the franchises for the TGI Friday’s, Italianni’s and Outback restaurants- turning them into a positive cashflow within 12 months.

And the list goes on…need we say more?

Joey is backed up by an able crew of 18 staff, including his three musketeers:

* Exceutive Chef Venancio, after graduating from Makati College with a BSE in Science, gained his skill for fine Italian Cuisine at La Primavera, La Opera and Rialto restaurants in Manila over an eight year period.

* Sous Chef Frondozo after graduating from BSIT with an MSA in Food Technology, learned his trade as able chef with the SM Group of restaurants before joining the former La Grotta in 2006.

Restaurant Manager Jane Oregas, after graduating with BA Hons from the Philippine Women’s University in 2002, joined the Ciao Bar group where she worked her way to management status within three years before joining the former La Grotta in 2005.

Jane is ably joined by Monaliza Castro and Sanny Fontanilla in heading up our management team. Casa Nostra has a group of wonderful, friendly and loyal hosting and other service staff who we hope you appreciate as much as we do.

Recognition

During his long career, Joey Velardi has picked up many awards for his outstanding achievements in the F&B industry, including for Casa Nostra Restaurant, San Francisco. Many of his former projects (including those that he owned) have gone on to become recognized worldwide for the quality of product and service.