And it’s a double celebration for the Teti family who are marking eight years in charge of Casa Mia, on Nethertown Broad Street.
The popular eaterie is up for best family run business and best family friendly restaurant in the awards, which will recognise Scotland’s best Italian businesses at a ceremony on Sunday November 30 at the Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
More good news has come in the form of a new head chef for the business, Graziano Fragole, a chef with more than 20 years’ experience and childhood friend of chef / proprietor Fabio Teti.
Casa Mia, on Nethertown Broad Street in Dunfermline, is in the final of the Scottish Italian Awards. (Image: Supplied)
Like his boss, Graziano is from the town of Alife, near Naples, and said he was delighted to join the team at Casa Mia, working alongside Fabio’s parents, father Guiseppe, who is a skilled bread maker, and mother Silvana, who is front of house.
“Dad’s hard work and skill has helped make Casa Mia the success it is today,” said Fabio.
“We are thrilled to have my good friend, Graziano, join us in the kitchen, and we are keeping our fingers crossed for the Italian Awards.
“To win something would be amazing, and the best possible welcome to Graziano as part of our team.”
The family reference their hometown in the acronym on the wall of the restaurant, which proudly states that they will offer customers ‘A Lively Italian Food Experience’.
Casa Mia, on Nethertown Broad Street in Dunfermline, is in the final of the Scottish Italian Awards. (Image: Supplied)
And Fabio is keen to keep highlighting the selection of ‘Casa Loves’ dishes on the menu.
Based on the Teti’s most treasured family recipes, which have been passed down through the generations, the dishes include such delights as ‘Montanara Al Pistachio’, deep fried pizza balls topped with stracciatella mozzarella and mortadella meat, ‘Salsiccia E Friarielli’, a dish of potato gnocchi tossed with Italian Tuscan sausage and cherry tomatoes in a wild broccoli cream, Genovese, a true Neapolitan classic of Paccheri pasta tossed with slow cooked Aberdeen Angus diced steak and onion ragu, and finally, Mama’s slow cooked beef stew.
Casa Mia, on Nethertown Broad Street in Dunfermline, is in the final of the Scottish Italian Awards. (Image: Supplied)
They’ve been joined on the menu by one of the restaurant’s signature sourdough pizzas, ‘From Giuseppe to Joseph’, a nod to Fabio’s toddler son, Joseph, who turned one in September.
It’s topped with mozzarella and homemade slow cooked meatballs, and finished with ricotta cheese, black pepper, basil oil and extra virgin olive oil.
“Meatballs have always been my favourite dish, so much so, that I have a meatball tattoo, such is my love of them!” said Fabio.
“My Nonna, my dad’s mum, used to make the most incredible meatballs, and this is her family recipe.
“When my wife and I were weaning our son onto solids, these meatballs were one of the first things he ate, he absolutely loved them. So I think our love of meatballs in the family is going to continue onto the next generation.
Casa Mia, on Nethertown Broad Street in Dunfermline, is in the final of the Scottish Italian Awards. (Image: Supplied)
“With dad being such a skilled bread and pizza dough maker, we felt that he definitely deserves to have a pizza named after him! All our pizzas are absolutely delicious, but this one has a loyal following all of its own!”
To add to the celebratory atmosphere this Christmas at Casa Mia, customers can look forward to enjoying live performances by well known Italian singer and musician, Roberto Enzo, who has been coming into perform on the first Fridays of every month.
Dining and Cooking