Upon entering the restaurant the musical atmosphere is incredibly inviting. The restaurant has an airy space that make patrons feel as though they might be seated outside. The music is fun; showcasing a variety of traditional Spanish tunes while intermittently playing well-known pop bands such as Coldplay and U2 set to mariachi horns.
Although how tapas came about is uncertain, their Spanish origin is undisputed. What started as small appetizers used to curb appetites between the regimented mealtimes in Spain has grown into a British and American restaurant fad.
Casa Mia’s menu contains 15 small dishes that are to be ordered in larger quantity and shared between those having a meal to create a sizable entrée. For larger appetites there are also two soups and three salads to choose from. All tapas are $ 4.95 a piece and the soups and salads range in price from $3.00 to $6.00.
The soups, one chicken and rice and the other a creamy shrimp concoction are delicious. Warm and hearty they are served with small toast points instead of the American staple of crackers.
Other dishes include:
Salmon Valapraiso:
A skewer of grilled salmon with a mango-peppered salsa
Asado a la Vinagreta:
Thinly sliced steak served chilled and smothered in sweet onions
Queso Dulce:
A chilled sweet cream cheese like substance
Ceviche:
The majority of their tapas are served with some version of beef, chicken, pork, fish or shrimp. However for the vegetarian diner there are dishes devoid of meat.
It seemed that most popular dishes were those that were most “Americanized”. For example, the papitas bravas were delicious—petite potatoes cooked to have a crispy shell and soft middle. It was described by Nathan Williams (the boyfriend) as, “a round French fry”. The pinchos de carne (grilled steak skewers) were cooked to perfection – moist, medium well-done with the slightest wink of pink. However, I can go to Longhorn for steak and potatoes.
The empanadas are especially good, with a strong cheese filling (along with whatever meat you choose) and a flaky, doughy shell.
The tamalito llanero seems to be the most ethnic of the dishes—containing steak, pork, chicken and veggies steamed in masa and garnished with cilantro and fresh onions. The conglomeration tastes strongly of corn but contains jalepenos that result in an unexpected spicy aftertaste.
My personal favorite was the yuca frita – deep fried yucca bits that look like a mozzarella stick, served with the Casa Mia sauce. (It tastes suspiciously of honey mustard but with a rose color.)
The restaurant boasts an impressive wine list. Aside from a well-stocked traditional bar and a few domestic beers they offer approximately 20 South American wines for pretty reasonable prices. Their most popular order however is their house Sangria. Made fresh at the restaurant it is served by the pitcher ($20.00) or half pitcher with pieces of ripened fruit such as mango, apples, oranges and grapefruit. While strong and fruity my friend Sarah Benefield, who prides herself as an amateur Sangria connoisseur commented, “It’s really no better than the fake Sangria that I can buy at the store.”
Non-alcoholic drinks include, traditional fountain drinks, tea and fresh fruit juices. Blackberry, passion fruit, orange and grapefruit are their options. The blackberry or moya was frothy, served with an orange slice and very refreshing.
While the food is enjoyable, the service leaves something to be desired. My first visit with Nathan left me intrigued enough to try it again, but I cannot say after a second visit that I would return anytime soon.
Upon our first visit we were seated by an indifferent hostess that took our drink order and then forgot to relay it to the server. After receiving our drinks they were overlooked in the refill department. While our server seemed apologetic for any wait we might have had, the restaurant was relatively empty and there were other servers present. The wait seemed inexcusable.
Upon our second visit, which now consisted of a group of five, a different server seemed distracted and a bit confused as well. The drink orders (aside from the standard carafe of water and pitcher of Sangria) were completely ignored and we never did receive them. To their credit we were not charged for them.
To top it off, there was hair. Yes, the nightmare that every diner never really thinks will happen. There was a hair wrapped up in one of the rolls of silver, and there was another discovered in the chimichurri sauce served with the steak skewers. And once again, while our group dined with only two other couples we waited for over 10 minutes from the time we received our check to the time she returned to the table.
The food is recommendable—the restaurant is not. The chef is at a real disadvantage to the lack of skill executed by the front of the house. Casa Mia is however relatively new. They have a good location, an attractive facility and an ambiance that is inviting. Their prices are fantastic. They offer a variety of combination deals including a happy hour rates of “buy four tapas, get one free” or Sangria for half price. In summation they have a lot of potential, and it would behoove the owners to take a closer look at the staff they have hired. Perhaps the kinks will work out with time and in a few months I might be willing to try again for some more yucca.
WHERE: 269 N. Hull St., next to Last Resort
PHONE: 706-227-4444
WEBSITE: http://www.casamiatapas.com
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