When Casa Tua founder Giuseppe Miggiano first set up his café on Royal College Street back in 2013, it was an unlikely spot – diagonally opposite Camden Road station – for what has since become a local two-floor institution.
With its laidback Puglian vibes, homely interior, strong Italian coffee and quality pasta – not to mention eye-watering aperitifs – Casa Tua quickly became our personal go-to for a negroni, an oozing burrata or meaty bowl of ragu.
Over the last decade we’ve lost count of the times we’ve nursed a spritz in the evening sun on its west-facing pavement terrace, with those cute barrels and semi-rustic foliage.
“The words ‘Casa Tua’ translate to ‘Your Home’ in English,” says Giuseppe, originally from Salento, Nociglia. “The concept of the restaurant is to create an experience of home dining in Southern Italy. The food is based on old Italian recipes from Puglia and Mediterranean influences.”
And despite its central NW1 location, it always has an enviable local feel, the emphasis firmly on repeat neighbourhood custom – rather than visitors. It soon picked up a gong or two, including a Time Out Love London Award 2014, and the prestigious Good Food Award in 2015. This success led to the opening of a second restaurant, Casa Tua Kings Cross in 2015.
“As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we are filled with overwhelming gratitude,” says Giuseppe. “As we reflect on the past decade, we’re humbled by the unwavering support and trust you have placed in us. Your belief in Casa Tua has been the driving force behind our success. We’re immensely grateful for each and every one of you who have walked through our doors, shared a meal, and made memories at your home away from home.”
Proof of its enduring popularity is the fact the menu still retains dishes that were first introduced in 2013. So what, in fact, are Casa Tua’s bestselling dishes over the last decade?
“Spaghetti carbonara,” he says, without hesitation, “as well as eight-hour slow-cooked Paccheri alla Bolognese (beef ragu) and parmiggiana di melanzane (baked aubergine layered with parmesan, tomato sauce and fior di latte mozzarella).” We can of course vouch for all three.
That’s not all that’s worth trying: there’s oozy truffle, mushroom and gorgonzola arancini, homemade lamb meatballs served with tomato sauce and parmesan cheese, gnocchi al pesto and black ink spaghetti with Parloude clams, Scottish mussels and tiger prawns.
Not to mention another of our favourites – orecchiette with Italian sausage, sautéed wild broccoli, parsley, garlic, chili and parmesan shavings.
And it’s not just pasta: mains include sliced breaded chicken thigh, caramelised peppers, wild rocket and parmesan shavings, or poached salmon fillet with capers, black olives, datterino tomatoes and hollandaise sauce.
A more recent addition is pizza, from the vegetarian Contadina – tomato sauce, fresh baby spinach, cime di rapa, caramelized onion and goat cheese – to the meaty (such as the spicy N’Duja-loaded Calabrese.)
During the 2020 lockdown Giuseppe refurbed the Camden branch with a new bar, new open kitchen – with airy natural skylight – in addition to the basement dining room.
And while the best-selling drinks are (of course) Aperol (or Campari) spritz, Giavi prosecco and Primitivo red wine, the cocktail menu lists other unique inventions like a lavender and bergamot bellini, or pink margarita. Saluti.
“Today,” he says, “we celebrate not only Casa Tua’s 10-year milestone but also the relationships we have built along the way. You are more than just customers to us; you are a part of our Casa Tua family.”
Here there’s everything from miniature almond croissants to classic Italian wines, bottled soft drinks, pasta. jars of tuna loin, preserved mixed vegetables and artichokes. There’s Italian sourdough baked on the premises, and a fresh produce counter selling anchovies and tortelloni filled with savoury mushroom or speck (smoked ham) and scarmorza. There’s also taleggio, pistachio cheese, guanciale (pork), 24-month cured parma ham, porchetta and a delicious Barolo cheese.
“As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, we’re excited to continue serving you with the same dedication, love, and passion that we had on that very first day,” says Giuseppe.
And if that’s got your mouth watering, you’re in luck: to celebrate ten years of Casa Tua and the new Casa Tua Delizie online store you can enjoy 20% off purchases throughout August (ending 31st) using the discount code #10THANNIVERSARY. So simply start shopping here.
Main image: Giuseppe Miggiano. Photo: Stephen Emms
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Casa Tua. If you wish to speak to thousands of north and east London readers, email info@kentishtowner.co.uk
