Casa

Bank Street

Melksham

SN12 6LG

01225 704997

www.casa-restaurants.co.uk

The old carpet shop in Melksham has recently been turned into a buzzing Italian restaurant that seems to be the talk of Melksham. Whenever I’ve passed, whatever the time of day, it always seems very well filled.

The evening we visited it had a variety of hungry customers, families with small children, what looked like a girls’ night out and groups of different ages. It's smartly turned out with high ceilings and with the kitchen open at the back you can see the action taking place. We think there was background music but the noise of the customers was so great it was hard to be sure until later on when it quietened down.

We chose for a starter a bruschetta (£4.75) smothered in chopped tomatoes on grilled bread with basil, garlic and oil and with tomatoes one of my favourite vegetables I was happy with the huge amount that there was served up. The other starter was meatballs in tomato sauce at just over £1 more. If you are thinking of the tiddly little ones usually served, think again. These two were as huge as my fist and enough for a first course for me so it was lucky it wasn’t my starter, but again very tasty. I pinched a forkful.

For a main course I had casareccia pollo picante: described as spicy chicken it was actually quite hot – not unbearably but more than I thought it would be. It arrived in a creamy pasta sauce with spinach and small tomatoes. The second main was lasagne ordered, so I was told, to see how different it was from mine. Luckily I wasn’t too far behind the Italian version! Both were £9.95.

Not giving up on the puddings we chose a tiramisu and a lemon cheesecake (both £4.95) and what a size. If I had known how large they would be I would have foregone or shared one as the previous courses were very substantial. By the time I had finished, good though it was, I felt overloaded with cream but then I’m not such a cream enthusiast though I can think of one particular friend who would have wallowed in it all.

Apart from pasta, pizza and risottos they also offer steaks, fish, pork and other chicken dishes plus a good selection of wine and a small children’s menu.

The staff gave friendly efficient service and the food was as good as had been recommended to us with, I was told, the meat bought from a local supplier. We would certainly be happy to go again.

*Takeaways with 10 per cent discounts

*Open Mon-Sat noon-10.30pm, Sunday noon-10pm.

*No parking on site but car parks nearby