Thursday, July 18, 2013

Casaville- Moroccan/Spanish with Flamenco, tapas in Murray Hill

It was really interesting reading the reviews for this place-- Moroccan/Spanish with tapas and Flamenco-- because next to the raves were these really grumpy complaints, based mostly it seems to be me on "Groupons" ( I guess some form of coupon).

This place has been here for ages and is something of a neighborhood fixture in this part of East (Lower) Murray Hill on Second Avenue just North of 34th Street.

Here is Yelp:

Casaville

3.0 star rating
96 reviews Rating Details
633 2nd Ave
(between 35th St & 34th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 685-8558
Nearest Transit Station:
33 St (4, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St (7, 7X)
Grand Central - 42 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$$
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
Yes
Delivery:
Yes
Take-out:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Wi-Fi:
Free
Good For:
Dinner
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Noise Level:
Average
Ambience:
Casual, Trendy, Classy
Has TV:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "It was well made and the goat cheese was so creamy." In 10 reviews
  • "Reasonable wine list, nice atmosphere, especially for Murray Hill." In 13 reviews
  • "Brie Tied - warm (fried) brie cheese with fried grapes and honey." In 6 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Useful | Funny | Cool | Total Votes | Friends' | Elites'

96 reviews in English

  • Review from

    4.0 star rating
    7/17/2013
    A hidden gem in Murray Hill, Casaville never fails to amaze. The tapas are phenomenal and the service is always friendly and quick.

    Wish they offered more hookah flavors though.
  • Review from

    3.0 star rating
    4/23/2013
    Decent tapas bar in Murray Hill that seems to be around for two crowds of people-couples on first date and early 30ish/40ish ladies catching up.  Sweet happy hour with 2 for 1 drinks and tapas.

    The tapas were good but nothing particularly special.  Tuna tartar was fresh.  The flatbread was filling.  The Wednesday special is worth noting-$12 for a pitcher of sangria (2 big glasses) and 15.95 for paella.
  • Review from

    • 1 friend
    • 32 reviews
    3.0 star rating
    4/10/2013 1 check-in here
    Came here after scouring the area for a non sardine packed place to grab a happy hour bite. Found out we just missed the happy hour 2 for 1 special after I asked the guy pouring us water if there were any drink specials and was curtly told "your server can answer any questions". The rest of the night our table was visited by different servers with different personalities/attitudes.

    We ordered the guacamole hummus (my fav of our selections), Mediterranean pizza,  wild mushrooms and the chocolate pot de creme for dessert.

    The atmosphere was cozy and a relaxing place to get a glass of wine and plates to share, as long as you don't let the servers get to you.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 4 reviews
    4.0 star rating
    7/7/2013
    Food was excellent, service was ok,, water glasses were empty for a while, nice atmosphere.
  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 23 reviews
    4.0 star rating
    6/30/2013
    I came here after work with my husband for a well needed drink. We sat at the bar and the atmosphere was laid back and very enjoyable. They had a really great happy hour special on sangria so we enjoyed ourselves a few glasses and some very nice hummus with warm pita bread. The bartender was attentive and welcoming. They later had a problem with their credit card machine so we had to go take out cash but the manager was very gracious and helpful about it. Although it was inconvenient for us, the way she handled the situation was reassuring to us because she was not rude or forceful about it. I would return here again.
  • Review from

    • 25 friends
    • 47 reviews
    1.0 star rating
    2/24/2013
    I hate to be a negative groupon nancy... but I have to be.

    I had a groupon which required a reservation. I tried calling to make one around 11am, but I guess the restaurant didn't open until noon. So we showed up shortly after noon to see if we could be seated. The host refused to seat us, despite the fact that the restaurant was less than half full. He said the next reservation would be in 2 hours. We offered to sit at the bar, but he said no.

    The host was not even apologetic for this policy. He was extremely rude and basically chased us out of the restaurant. I was in shock. I would never return to this place.
  • Review from

    • 0 friends
    • 13 reviews
    4.0 star rating
    6/21/2013
    Totally underrated neighborhood restaurant. Dishes are delicious, generous and well priced.  Servers are friendly and they don't rush you. Be sure to try the garlic shrimp, lamb sliders and quinoa salad.
  • Review from

    • 16 friends
    • 29 reviews
    4.0 star rating
    12/2/2012
    I must say I was skeptical after seeing their general Yelp rating.  A friend suggested we meet here for a glass of wine.  I think he is partial to this restaurant because he has spoken to the owner who speaks French.  However, I really enjoyed the place.  The friendly bartender kept our glasses full after explaining it was happy hour 2 for 1. Awesome! Who doesn't love a good deal.  After two glasses we decided to sit at a table and order food.  Besides 6 other people we were the only ones...bad sign usually right but it was the day before Thanksgiving to be fair.

    What we ordered:
    Escargot- My friend being French was not impressed because they did not come in a shell.  They were in a sauce with mushrooms and garlic. For my first introduction I was pleasantly surprised they weren't gross haha  I thought they were great!

    Lamb sliders- a bit too heavy on the blue cheese but otherwise good.

    Chicken couscous- seemed really authentic and was delicious. Probably the best I've had to date.

    I met the owner- Very sweet Moroccan man.  And he sent us glasses of wine on the house.

    Charming place with comfy decor.
  • Review from

    1.0 star rating
    6/13/2013
    Food is ok, but....I came with a groupon that included an appetizer, main course and 2 drinks per person. HOWEVER, when they were preparing a bill, they added each item, then asked you to pay tax on that, and tip on the full price of all items. On top, they added a drink no one had and they on purpose tried to itemized a special ordered by another guest at the table that did not have a groupon. All in all, i will never come to this place because they do their best to stiff you.
  • Review from

    2.0 star rating
    9/3/2012
    BAD GROUPON EXPERIENCE:
    While I enjoyed most of the food here but I was disappointed with how Casaville honored the groupon deal I had. The groupon was for two appetizers, two entrees, and two drinks. Usually, in other wonderful groupon deals I had, you get to pick any entree or appetizer in the menu or there is a "groupon menu" that shows what dishes you can pick. Groupon menus are usually available when you are first looking at the deal, so when you purchase it is no surprise that you have a limited menu when you go to the restaurant.

    My groupon voucher made it sound like I can order anything from the menu and I was sorely disappointed when I was presented with a incredibly limited menu for brunch (fruit salad or regular salad for appetizers and a choice between a few frittatas). This is some shady ass business practice, manipulating customers into thinking one thing and then not delivering what you promised. I really cannot respect the owner who does this, considering how fancier restaurants were true to their groupon vouchers.

    AMBIANCE:
    A lovely homage to Casablanca, the decors are elegant and classy, the ambiance is reminiscent of older times. You feel like you are in an exotic locale and not in Murray Hills. The lovely setting helped me get over my disappointment with the whole groupon debacle.

    SERVICE:
    OK. Nothing memorable. I had worst (in Long Island, in Waterzooi, there was a bitch blonde waitress named Olivia).

    FOOD:
    My bf and I both got the Fruit Salad that was part of their on-the-spot-fake-groupon-menu. It tasted a little off putting to me and a touch weird. The fruit salad was a boring medley of cantaloupe, melon, and grapes topped with a watery spiced syrup. The spiced syrup had an odd taste to me. I did not like it.

    My bf and I also got the Frittata with Goat Cheese and Tomatoes. The frittatas were very dense and filling. It was well made and the goat cheese was so creamy. While I'm more of a fan of a runny yolk, I was pleased with the frittatas.

    The drinks we had were good. The mimosas were very tasty

    OVERALL:
    I had a pleasant and enjoyable brunch, but I mostly attribute that to the company of my bf. I loved the design of the bistro and the frittatas were delish but I couldn't get over their business practice. I bought the groupon voucher because it basically said that I can have any appetizer and entree of my choice, but when I got there I had to choose from their cheapest items. I did not have this experience with other restaurants. That just got on my nerves.
  • Review from

    4.0 star rating
    12/2/2012
    Casaville is a great little restaurant serving French Moroccan cuisine. First time we had a deal and went during peak dinner hour and got the last table. The waitress was a little over-tasked with the place being full but super nice and we weren't in a hurry.
    We liked it so much that we came back with a group of eight mature professionals who can afford any good meal, to bring some more business. Everyone was very pleased with the choice. We'll be back!
  • Review from

    1.0 star rating
    11/26/2012
    Awful experience here for the following reasons:

    - They were out of salmon during brunch, which is their signature dish.
    - One of our meals was burnt, the other was well done. We didn't return them, but should have.
    - The waiters are not professional. Ours sat down to eat at the bar towards the end of our meal. We waived to get his attention, but I had to walk over to him (vs. him getting up).
    - We ordered a second round of Mojitos that tasted different than our first round. The water said that the mix just ran out and thus was changed. When we asked if he could replace our drinks, he refused.

    Do not patronize this place.
  • Review from

    4.0 star rating
    10/16/2012
    A friend and I happened upon this place because of a really great groupon deal they offered. We both thoroughly enjoyed our brunch and would go back, especially for the appetizer brunch items and perhaps for the alcohol-content of the drinks.

    Here is what we ordered:

    APPETIZERS
    Briwatts- these were so fantastic!! really crispy and flaky on the outside and then warm and flavorful on the inside. crispy brick leaves stuffed with chicken, almond and cinnamon. not enough for a whole meal, but definitely a great starter and very shareable since there are 2 or 3 of them on the plate.

    Challah Bread French Toast- this was wonderful! kind of more like a belgian waffle to me but anyway: crispy on the edges and not soggy at all and the bananas and strawberries tasted really fresh.

    ENTREES
    Eggs Norwegian- we both got this. if you don't know, its basically an eggs benedict but substitute smoked salmon for ham. i liked this because i generally just like this dish, but my friend and i both agreed that it was good but nothing special. not disappointing, but nothing to rave about.

    honestly, if i came here again i would probably get the same two appetizers and then choose a third appetizer instead of getting entrees. or else split an entree.

    DRINKS
    Tent's Scent- this was a really nice wine-based drink. not too intense, good for brunch, and a pretty color. they were out of lychee, but it was still good.

    Kumquat Caipirinha- tropical and good, almost too strong*

    Vodka Lemonade- awesome, still pretty strong*

    Mojito Mulato- what you'd expect but also really strong*

    *i don't know if this is how their drinks are always made or if we just looked like two girls trying to get drunk at 1pm on a saturday (turns out we were), but i guess if you're sick of weak brunch mimosas and perhaps carry small quantities of juice with you- this could be your new place!

    NOTE: I completely disagree with one of the reviewers below who posted about using this groupon. You can't be outraged that some of the appetizers weren't available, because it was stated in the fine print of the groupon when you bought it. Not dishonest.

    NOTENOTE: This brunch menu was a little tricky to find so here is the one from groupon which they also gave to non-grouponers
    https://groupon.s3.amazo…
  • Review from

    4.0 star rating
    7/16/2012
    Casaville was a great surprise! Right in the heart of Murray Hill, Casaville is an unassuming spot to get some great tapas at a reasonable price.

    Came here on a Sunday evening after a long day of drinking. The place was empty, which normally would concern me, but summertime in the city is awful for restaurants. For two people, we ordered 4 tapas: spicy meatballs, baked brie, grilled calamari, and a chicken-filled pastry with powdered sugar  (can't quite remember the name of it, but it was by far my least favorite dish anyway so I wouldn't recommend it).

    The baked brie was absolutely delicious. Fried grapes and honey glaze perfected this dish. Spicy meatballs were great as well, and the grilled calamari were very tasty (albeit very garlicy).

    Service was so-so. Attentive enough, but very uneducated about the menu. The food itself is 4 stars. Service would get 3. The ambiance was very pleasant, and brings the place back up to 4 stars. Good job Casaville, but please have your servers know what each dish consists of, as some of us are not familiar with your ethnicity's food offerings.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered