Exquisite Mediterranean cuisine at CASASALVO leaves diners in awe in Soho, New York City's go-to neighborhood.
In the heart of SoHo, New York, Chef Salvo Lo Castro has brought a taste of the Mediterranean to the Big Apple with his restaurant, CASASALVO. Born in Catania, Sicily, Chef Lo Castro's passion for food was nurtured on a hazelnut farm and at his grandmother's rotisserie [1][2][3].
After training at the Giovanni Falcone Institute and honing his skills in prestigious hotels in Taormina, Lo Castro embarked on an illustrious career that saw him appointed as the official chef to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and serving as a private chef for the Vatican, cooking for Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI [1][2][3][4][5].
At CASASALVO, Lo Castro's culinary style blends authentic Italian tradition with Mediterranean influences from North Africa, Greece, Malta, Spain, and beyond. The menu is a rich tapestry of generational family recipes, enriched by this Mediterranean imagination, moving beyond classic Italian to include diverse regional inspirations [1][2][3][4].
The restaurant is renowned for its emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients such as Parmigiano cheese, which Chef Lo Castro calls "the gold of Italy." The dining room is a delightful blend of fine dining excellence and a warm, authentic atmosphere [1][2][3].
Since arriving in New York at the end of 2022, Lo Castro has opened four CASASALVO cafes, known for their espresso, pastries, and Italian market goods. His culinary journey culminates at the flagship SoHo restaurant, which distills his career into a crystalline experience [1][3].
The open kitchen at the Soho restaurant emits char and citrus aromas, while two elegant ladies tend the bar and handsome waiters move with old-world grace and modern intuition. The bar is beautiful, the martinis are honest, and the staff keeps the entire dining room at a low simmer of joy [6].
One of the standout dishes at CASASALVO is the beef carpaccio, cut whisper-thin, seasoned with restraint, and the acidity calibrated to wake the palate without crowding it. Another favourite is the charred octopus dish, served tender with a proud sear, brightened by lemon and excellent olive oil, and herbs lifting the edges [7].
A true master of his craft, Lo Castro maintains vigil over the pass, ensuring no waste, no wobble, and only devotion. From the hazelnut farm in Catania to the kitchen of CASASALVO, Chef Salvo Lo Castro's love for food has taken him on a remarkable journey, and his culinary creations continue to delight diners in New York.
- Chef Salvo Lo Castro's love for food, nurtured on a hazelnut farm in Catania and at his grandmother's rotisserie, has evolved into a unique Mediterranean-inspired lifestyle at his restaurant, CASASALVO, in New York.
- The menu at CASASALVO, a blend of generational family recipes and diverse regional inspirations, offers a fusion of food-and-drink options, including travel-inspired dishes from North Africa, Greece, Malta, Spain, and beyond.
- At CASASALVO, fashion-and-beauty enthusiasts can indulge in a dining experience that transcends classic Italian cuisine, accompanied by a selection of exquisite recipes, all while reveling in the warm, authentic atmosphere.
