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<\/p>\nNewport Beach is sometimes referred to as the \u201cCalifornia Riviera\u201d and the addition of CasaDami to the Peninsula Village helps to bring even more European flair to the coastal city.<\/p>\n
The all-day cafe and wine bar, which takes inspiration from the coastal regions of Southern France, Italy and Spain, celebrates its first anniversary this month.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe like to say we are \u2018Newport Mediterranean,\u2019\u201d said Allan Camarena, wine and beverage director at CasaDami. \u201cWhat that really means is we are here to give people what they love, what they enjoy, through our lens.\u201d<\/p>\n
Founded by Southern California residents Dave Shah and Camilla Caremoli, CasaDami is built on the best parts of European dining, which the couple categorize as \u201cunhurried, elegant, and full of heart.\u201d<\/p>\n
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CasaDami\u2019s croquetas are on the Golden Hour menu, which features a selection of tapas. <\/p>\n
(Emily J. Davis\/Outshine PR)<\/p>\n
There is a bar and a few inside tables, but most of the seating is outdoors, overlooking public boat slips at the marina. The space is decorated in tonal reds and blush pink with custom outdoor umbrellas in color-coordinated shades, similar to the beach umbrellas found along the Amalfi coast.<\/p>\n
La dolce vita aesthetic is also found on the menu by executive chef Rodney Gutierrez, who began his culinary career in New York City cooking at Eataly and Rosemary\u2019s, before becoming a private chef in Hamptons and eventually making his way to Orange County. Gutierrez presents a menu that features Spanish tapas, classic French dishes, Italian coffee and, of course, California produce.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main thing is the ingredients,\u201d Gutierrez said of the cuisine. \u201cWe always source high quality ingredients and let that be the focus.\u201d<\/p>\n
At brunch, buttery croissants are battered in custard to make a decadent French toast, topped with fruit from Harry\u2019s Berries, the famed organic farm in Oxnard. For lunch, there is Faroe Island salmon, with perfectly crispy skin, served in a green goddess sauce. <\/p>\n
Between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. CasaDami offers a \u201cGolden Hour\u201d menu with Spanish tapas staples like pan con tomate and croquets of manchego cheese and Serrano ham. There is also caviar, priced at $45 for half an ounce, served with creme fraiche and potato chips. The wine list, which favors regions in Italy and France for obvious reasons, earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2025.<\/p>\n
Coffee in also a particular point of pride, especially for Italian-born Caremoli.<\/p>\n
\u201cItalians complain a little bit about American coffee programs as a whole,\u201d said Camarena. \u201cWe do think our differentiation is focusing on the espresso itself.\u201d<\/p>\n
They use a La Marzocco espresso machine, widely considered the Ferrari of machines used for brewing Italian-quality espresso.<\/p>\n
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Peninsula Village restaurant CasaDami celebrates its one-year anniversary this month.<\/p>\n
(Emily J. Davis\/Outshine PR)<\/p>\n
Camarena said the restaurant has done some adapting in its first year, changing to accommodate the needs and tastes of local diners.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to be enjoyable and inviting to the community,\u201d said Camarena. \u201cIt is important to be good to our guests and honor their time and their company.\u201d<\/p>\n
The spicy beef empanadas, for instance, are one of the more labor intensive dishes at CasaDami, made fresh daily. They are also, by far, the bestselling dish on menu.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe make the dough from scratch and we fold them by hand,\u201d said Gutierrez. \u201cIt is kind of a hybrid of a pastry crust and regular dough.\u201d<\/p>\n
Calabrian chili adds heat to the minced cumin-spiced beef, stuffed into the soft, pastry pocket along with manchego cheese.<\/p>\n
Despite the long process, Gutierrez said it will remain on the menu as long as guests want it.<\/p>\n
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Steak Frites Night at CasaDami features and steak dinner with salad course and affogato for dessert.<\/p>\n
(Courtesy of CasaDami)<\/p>\n
CasaDami has introduced a special Steak Frites Night on Mondays, with a three course prix-fixe menu that includes a signature Dam\u00ed salad, their take on classic brasserie-style steak frites and affogato made with their Italian espresso for dessert. It has become a popular weeknight event, with locals dressing in their best French fashion for the occasion.<\/p>\n
It is also another way CasaDami brings the charm of the Riviera to Newport Beach.<\/p>\n