Philadelphia Restaurants: Caffe Casta Diva

Philadelphia's Center City--a district gone gastronomically mad with an astronomical number of tiny BYOB Italian restaurants. The inundation of dining choices is exciting, but can be overwhelming. Caffé Casta Diva, situated right off of restaurant-rich Rittenhouse Square, has been distinguishing itself among the constantly increasing competition for five years as of this writing. This romantic, operatically-themed restaurant offers simple cuisine prepared with fresh, top-quality ingredients.

Owner and chef Stephen Vassalluzzo spent many years in the service sector of the dining industry, and his formal training-though you'd likely expect it to be somewhere in the food arena--is, in fact, in physics. His analytical, detail-oriented, inquisitive mind thrives in the kitchen. Always finding time for comestible experiments, Vassalluzzo tweaks and tastes and recalibrates on a perfectionist's quest. Yes, he's gambled away a small fortune in saffron in the process, but take comfort in knowing that every dish on his restaurant's menu has earned its place via thorough development.

Vassalluzzo makes everything that he possibly can in his own kitchen, certainly exceeding the average Italian restaurant's on-premises output. Whether it's the hot focaccia served gratis before the meal, most of the pastas, an impressive feat like duck prosciutto, or any of the desserts (from gelato to chocolate espresso crème brulée to the tiramisu that Philly's premier food critic Craig Laban described as "easily one of the best in the city"), Caffé Casta Diva proudly creates it all.

Some further evidence of Vassalluzzo's vocational dedication is provided when he speaks of his specials. Restaurants generally offer specials for a few key reasons--primarily the use of leftovers and victuals near expiration. This is not the case at Caffé Casta Diva. The specials there are inspired by the chef's frequent excursions to sites such as the famed Reading Terminal and Italian markets. When Vassalluzzo spots interesting or exceptional ingredients, he buys them and hurries back to his kitchen to devise a befitting dish.

The food, the mellow ambience, and the arias combine to provide a great evening of dining out. Don't be surprised if the owner stops at your table to chat briefly and make sure you're enjoying yourself; whenever the opportunity presents itself, Vassalluzzo leaves the stove to greet his familiar regular customers and to meet his new ones.

Reservations are recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday nights; the restaurant is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Caffé Casta Diva, serving dinner only, is a cash only establishment-expect a three-course meal to run an average of $35-$45 per person.

Caffé Casta Diva

227 S. 20^th St.

Philadelphia, PA 19103

(215) 496-9677