Incomparable Italian

Reliably spectacular is a tough standard to meet for any restaurant, but Casa D’Angelo in Boca Raton gets it right. Every. Single. Time. It’s one of my favorite restaurants on the planet for many reasons.

There’s a cozy bar tucked away to the side as you enter. Here you will find one of the most impressive wine-by-the-glass menus in South Florida. Guests seated next to us were experiencing this to the fullest as they enthusiastically tucked into their South African Calamari appetizer – huge rings that are fragrant, fresh and lightly fried, served with zucchini strings and a side of marinara sauce.

For us, the creamy Burrata is irresistible. It’s uniquely served with Parma prosciutto that is aged for 24 months, ripe Beefsteak tomatoes, roasted peppers, and arugula. Our new favorite is the Polpo, grilled octopus presented “dragon tail-style” with organic power greens, Taggiasche olives, roasted tomato, and white balsamic vinaigrette.

When it comes to entrées, I also can’t resist Casa D’Angelo’s ultimate luxury: fresh shaved truffles on a variety of dishes. The restaurant also is popular for its sophisticated specials: The black spaghetti served with generous helpings of lobster and shrimp delivers a refreshing variation for those who love Frutti di Mare.

Casa D’Angelo’s pastas are truly unparalleled, causing choice anxiety with one look at the menu. For a lighter pasta, try All Time Favorite Mamma Fusilli – and not just because it’s Chef Angelo’s mom’s recipe. It’s fusilli graced with fresh tomato and basil sauce, fresh mozzarella, and Reggiano. The Fettucine Bolognese is a more hearty choice that features homemade fettucine with beef, veal, and pork ragu, served with Reggiano.

Speaking of meat, there’s also plenty of it in its finest form at Casa D’Angelo. The Costoletta di Vitello, a 16-ounce grilled veal chop served with fresh vegetables, has a richly satisfying wild mushroom Marsala sauce.

As a lifetime fan of tartufo, I was thrilled to savor Casa D’Angelo’s: it’s big – like all desserts should be in my humble opinion. It also has generous dollops of smooth pistachio ice cream encased in a just-right-sized layer of dark chocolate and is served with a cascade of ripe raspberries and blackberries.

Now you know just a few reasons why Casa D’Angelo keeps me coming back for more.

Casa D’Angelo is located at 171 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton. For more information, call 561-996-1234 or visit casa-d-angelo.com.