Angelo, 71, and Geri, 74, Martinoli have run Casalingo in Preston Street, Brighton since 1988 and will be closing on February 1, 2026.
Angelo grew up in a village near Lake Como in Italy and moved to the UK in 1971 to learn English, with the plan to stay for six months.
“I’m still here – I’m a slow learner,” he laughed.
Angelo and Geri Martinoli, the owners of Casalingo (Image: The Argus)
He met Geri while working as a captain’s waiter on a cruise liner in the Caribbean. Geri, who is English, was working in the duty-free shop.
Before moving to Brighton, the couple worked abroad in Switzerland and in North Yemen where they helped to develop a hotel and then back in the UK, in Norfolk and Southampton.
In 1978, Angelo became manager of Casalingo, which was then run by Franco. Ten years later, he decided to buy the business and the couple have run it ever since.
“We wanted to run a restaurant that we would like to go to and find in the town ourselves and improve on the previous ownership, and we managed to do that. It has been our baby for so long now.”
Casalingo as it was when the couple took over (Image: Supplied)
The couple have changed the look and layout of the building several times over the year but decided to keep the name as it has been since the early 1970s.
The restaurant has retained several members of staff for many years, including their chef John who has been with them for 32 years and their manager who has worked at the restaurant for 13 years.
After many years of running the business, Angelo and Geri have decided it’s time to retire and have therefore taken the “difficult decision” to close.
Their two children, Bianca and Claudio have their own careers and are therefore unable to take over the business.
“The person who might have wanted to take it over is our grandson, but he’s only 12,” Geri said.
Angelo and Geri Martinoli, the owners of Casalingo (Image: The Argus)
The restaurant has enjoyed the support of many loyal regulars. One of their customers, who is Italian and has dined at the restaurant since it was run by Franco, was “in tears” at the news of their closure.
The couple recently went to visit their oldest customer, who is 101 and living in a care home locally. The couple plan to bring her back to the restaurant for a final meal before closing their doors.
Alongside having a real “passion” for delicious, authentic Italian food – including a tiramisu “to die for” – the couple put their success and longevity down to excellent hospitality and service.
“These days people can go and have really nice meals, but they don’t have that personal touch,” Geri said.
“I think that’s what our customers like about us, is that we do know them and we’ll do things for them on special occasions and so on. I think they like the tradition and friendliness.”
Angelo and Geri have always worked to create a “special” experience, allowing customers to dine at a “leisurely” pace, as is the traditional Italian way.
“I find this like a stage, because I’m the frontman, so I feel like I’m performing when I come here,” Angelo added. “I will miss the contact with people, it will be sad.”
Angelo and Geri Martinoli, the owners of Casalingo (Image: The Argus)
The restaurant will be “going out with a bang”, hosting two shows before they close: singer Jason Lee on January 9 and drag artist Dave Lynn on January 25. Lynn performed at the restaurant’s first cabaret 30 years ago, so the couple feel it is fitting that he stars in their last.
“Over the years we’ve had a lot of support from the gay community,” Angelo said. “We enjoy their support and we’ve held a lot of shows.”
After so many happy years running the restaurant, the couple say that they “felt it should finish with us”.
“I always remember one person coming and saying, ‘restaurants in Brighton come and go, but Casalingo will stay forever,” Geri said. “It is going to be very emotional.”
Dining and Cooking