Casanova Italian Restaurant

This original location has better, more authentic dishes than the restaurant in Kahului of similar name. ATMOSPHERE: The open-air restaurant is plain and simple. Old interior that's a mixup of tavern, bistro and patio, but clean, which is what matters. The place turns into teeny bopper heaven on certain nights, sans the stage, dance floor, and stadium-style seating off to the side. The parking lot is tiny, but there are quite a few street parking along Baldwin Ave. BEVERAGE: Moscow Mule Textbook version. FOOD: House Bread Soft and chewy Focaccia with olive oil & vinegar. Delish! And comp with any entree or pasta dish upon request. Kaesar I absolutely hate kale but not here! How does it work so well as a "caesar" salad?! Highly recommended. Calamari Fritti I'm not a fan of steak cuts but these we an exception. Linguine Pescatore Great choice for seafood lovers. Black squid ink linguine with mussels, scallops, calamari, shrimp and kalamata olives in a tomato-based sauce. The flavor was very good and the pasta cooked al dente. The amount of seafood was good but could've used more pasta (usually it's the other way around). Filet Mignon Fettuccine The dish simply needed more seasoning. Rigatoni Chicken Vodka Beverly Hills Excellent recipe with notes of broccoli. SERVICE: Our server was awesome. At first I thought she was just okay as she didn't really check on us, but when it came time to split the bill (at her suggestion), she did it snap, crackle, pop! Some places make it sound like rocket science (ahem, Polli's.) OVERALL: Good food and really good pricing.

Something’s only get better with time. If you haven’t been to Casanova’s Italian Restaurant in Makawao, what are you waiting for? An invitation. Well now you have one, from me. This has always been one of my favorite restaurants on Maui. Now even though they have new owners and a really great renovation to the restaurant the old charm and great local Makawao vibe remains the same. Guess what? The food is Better Than Ever! As our fantastic server Chris described to us, you can go somewhere else for a dash and dine or sit down in the back of dining room and enjoy a “buffet delay”. You say what is that? A slow leisurely dinner orchestrated in courses at the speed of Island time. Start with an Aperol spritzer and the best homemade focaccia bread , straight out of their wood fired brick oven. Relax and enjoy. Then a great garlicky Caesar salad and make sure to have the anchovies. Now try and choose wisely for the next course. We went with the good old standby of Bucatini Bolognese and the world’s best meatballs and pasta Carbonara. Creamy delicious with prosciutto and maui onions. We were now delaying and Chris remembered we were still celebrating my wife’s birthday and BAMM. Madagascar vanilla ice cream with homemade sauces and a cool striped cookie. After Chris lead the restaurant in a boisterous Happy Birthday to my wife we remembered why we always come up to Makawao to eat at Casanovas. Grazie

Casanova is a really fun spot with a great atmosphere. The night we went they had karaoke going, which made the whole place lively and entertaining. The food was very good, especially the pizza, and the wine selection was solid. The waiters were friendly and attentive, and everything felt relaxed and welcoming. It was also easy to park, which is always a plus. A great place for a casual night out with good food and good energy.

We stayed in Makawao for a few nights on our trip to Maui and decided to try this place for dinner. I ordered the rigatoni vodka chicken pasta and my husband got the carbonara. We also split meatballs and their homemade focaccia bread. It was all delicious and the portions were huge! We each got another meal out of our leftovers. Highly recommend trying!

Just came down from sunset at Haliakala. This place is recommended by the daughter of our friend from highschool. So here we came. Called ahead for a table. When we got there we were seated in 5 min. Wait staff very helpful. Soon we were eating bread and talking story. When our orders came, so much food! When you call to place your reservation, Tell Em' Joe sent you...they will say Joe Who... that's me 😁

My friends took me there the night before I leave Maui. The porcini cream pasta I ordered is the best porcini pasta I’ve ever had! This harmonious flavor of garlic and porcini is a pure joy to my taste buds! Lol Pizza is also GOOD! I had an amazing time with friends thanks to them and the delicious food as well.

"That was insanely good" says the kid. We had an Americano and a fresh pasta. What a delight

The food was so amazing! And the service was awesome. Our waiter was Christopher and he was so friendly and on top of it, really made our first time dining here just so much better. Mahalo Christopher!

Their calamari steak appetizer and clam linguini is one of the best I've had. Service was excellent as well.

Food excellenté Cocktails phenomenal Service done with a smile and grace Ambiance romantico Server/bartender Daniel was top notch Parking isn't as ample but worth the trip.. Prices decent. Handicap access yes Family friendly yes Restroom indoors yes Ample seating table booth and barside stools yes yes and yes I asked if they still had disco nights (open dance floor nights after hours) and the waiter said they working on incorporating upcoming events of all types in the coming months

The atmosphere and service/food was all too amazing We ordered the fresh focaccia bread and that was totally reasonable and delicious. I ordered the pasta with spinach/tomatoes/pine nuts and the dish was killer. My husband ordered the clam fettuccine and that was very tasty. He finished his meal and the plate was clean. I can never finish my meal so I did have a doggie bag for the next day and it was delicious.

I went here the night before a half marathon to carb load on some yummy pasta. It was my first time here, and the location and environment were beautiful! A man, who I am assuming is the owner, even saw me pull into the parking lot and came out and moved some cones for me to park in spots that were blocked off since the rest of the lot was full. We felt very taken care of by our waitress. The caesar salads were not over dressed which is good and the bottomless focaccia was a fan favorite. I will say, the carbonara pasta was really dense which I did not expect out of homemade noodles. That could be the kind of noodles nature, not sure. But was not as impressed as I thought I'd be there. Everything else was pretty good. A table next to us had margaritas with a gorgeous foam on top that I want to try next time!

Back to Casanovas for another dinner with the fam! Limited parking in the lot, we parked across the street. Parking also available near the shops. Good food, casual vibes, come as you are! Quick seating and server brought out bread quickly. Generous potions with a wide variety on the menu. Something for everyone, for sure.

The ratings don't do this place justice! Almost didn't try it because the rating but then remembered tourists are picky and rude so tried it anyways. It is a hidden gem! Food was phenomenal! Ambiance was perfect! Adorable, classy, intimate! 10/10, will be back!

So delish dinner menu! The restaurant is beautiful with very attentive, interactive and knowledgeable staff. No complaints, the dinner was fabulous!!!

UPDATE: Casanova is by far the best restaurant in Makawao, and is open the latest. We were in town for a month, so we tried a good portion of the menu, and everything was fantastic. All the staff are friendly, attentive and helpful. The bartender is amazing as well. We sat at the bar a few times, and she memorized our orders and was quick to offer our favorite cocktails each time we returned. I hesitate to even mention this, but the lilikoi lemonade cocktail is INCREDIBLE. I hesitate because I'm sure it is a bit obnoxious to make, as it is topped with a lilikoi foam that I would fight someone for. It is SO GOOD. The cafe that they have open in the mornings is also great... pastries are made in-house, and they are flakey, buttery and delicious. Go to Casanova, you won't be disappointed. Original Review: We had a good time at Casanova. We had the ravioli and carbonara. Service was great and very friendly. Our food came out fairly quickly, and the waitress gave a good wine pairing suggestion to my brother. Now for the hilarious part! My brother and I are staying in Makawao for a month, and we are quite obviously the only black people in town, complete with dreadlocks. In the restaurant, in the back corner is a large print of a black cowboy. As we were walking to be seated, I whispered to my brother that I bet that would be our assigned seat, and SURE ENOUGH... we were seated in front of the black cowboy. Ironic and hilarious.

July 30 - the entire Pacific Rim is on tsunami alert. All of the Hawaiian islands are evacuating to higher ground. 100s of thousands are displaced. We arrive at Casanova's at 925pm, hungry and scared. My son and diabetic father need to eat...hostess tells us she's no longer seating, ask if we can get a pizza to go, brunette comes around from behind the bar to tell us the kitchen is closed, try elsewhere. Way to go Casanova.

Great meal with an awesome ambiance! Just happened on this restaurant and feel like we were very lucky! The pizza is awesome!

Great way to end our evening after an afternoon at Ocean vodka tasting We were glad to find parking next door. Parking is usually challenging, but not tonight. This is our first return since new owners remodeled. We do enjoy the new floor plan and spacious seating. Our dinners were tasty and arrived in generous portions. Our server was great, knowledgeable, and she provided great recommendations. Casanovas has never disappointed us!

First time visiting and it didn't disappoint! Foccacia was doughy and not as flavorful as we would've liked. However, it was a nice starter. The real deal was the Hawaiian pizza - chunks of ham and Maui-grown pineapple. Our server was great and very friendly and attentive. The vibe there was cool - nice bar and cool to see the pizza oven. Very welcoming for those visiting the area. Worth a stop!

attentive and friendly staff as well as really great pasta. As someone with celiac disease, I can't eat out at almost all places, and pasta is unfortunately one of the most difficult dishes to find that are safely gluten-free. I was so amazed that not only could I order this safely, but also that it was so delicious. As I hadn't eaten restaurant pasta in almost 3 years, when I finally did here, I was glad that it was this one. The flavors all worked together so amazingly and it reminded me that while having celiac sucks, it also means that you don't take meals like this one for granted

I can't believe I had never eaten at Casanova in all the years I've lived here on Maui. Decided to do something different for my birthday dinner and had an amazing meal sitting at the bar with a friend. Service was great, our bartender took great care of us and was very accommodating to my dietary restrictions. Highly recommend Casanova if you're upcountry and looking for authentic Italian food and great wine!

Though we have driven by the restaurant many times, Christmas Eve was our first visit to Casanova. We were seated within a few minutes of our reservation, and greeted by a friendly and professional server bearing warm focaccia and a side plate of olive oil and balsamic for dipping. We started with lychee martinis, followed by frito di carciofi (fried artichoke), and a meditteranea salad. My dining companion enjoyed bucatini bolognese with an added meatball, and I enjoyed the eggplant melanzanie. The bucatini was clearly homemade, served al dente. The eggplant was served in its own mini loaf pan and was full of cheesy goodness. An additional shake of hot chili flakes balanced the sweetness. The only thing that would have improved it (to my taste) was if they left it in the oven just a moment or two longer to give it some crispy edges, but not everyone appreciates those. We were too full for dessert. We weren't sure what to expect but will return for another visit the next time we're seeking dinner in Makawao. We also appreciated the fresh air and separation of tables in the dining room especially during winter cold season!

Great food and friendly staff. Their artichoke appetizer is amazing. Make sure to try the Pork Chop special if they are offering it! It's super tasty and always juicy!!!

Consistency delicious food and wonderful service! A must-do for locals and visitors alike!

Good food , beautiful place , nice people . Having Italian food upcountry is nice !ove the dining experience there !

Found this on open table. First of all, they were busy and maybe the staff was short handed. Our server was sweet but overwhelmed. We ordered the HOMEMADE FOCACCIA - Served with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar AND CALAMARI FRITTI -Calamari Steak Breaded and Fried, Served with Homemade Caper Aioli Sauce for our appetizers . The server let us know the specials for the evening. I wanted a mocktail ( no alcohol) and ordered the lilikoi lemonade as I was told it can be made without alcohol. Upon receiving it I noticed it was very sour. Didn't think much of it but then started feeling a little off. Had a friend sip it and they said definitely was alcohol in it. What if I was a minor??!!! The server took a very long time to come back and check in on us. We finally received our appetizers but we had yet to order our entrees. The Focaccia was kinda burnt and crispy. We noticed everyone else near us who ordered the same look very fluffy and appetizing. Lol When our server finally checked in on us we all had hoped on one of their specials... lo and behold, none left and no longer available!!! What a disappointment. So we searched thru the menu and just chose the LINGUINE AI FUNGHI -Linguine with White Button Mushrooms and Wild Italian Porcini Mushrooms in a Creamy Garlic Sauce and we added shrimp. We also ordered the LINGUINE ALLE VONGOLE "CLAMS" VERACI - with Fresh Clams in a White Wine, Garlic and Shellfish Broth CREME BRULEE -- Traditional Creme Brulee The food was good could have been better. We also should have been able to order in a timely manner and be checked in on as well. Plus making a mistake with alcohol was very wrong on their part!

Let me start by saying: best Cesar salad I've ever had in my life -- i wish i had taken a pic and also wish i ordered one to go lol. Also ... the customer service is really really good here. Everyone was so friendly. If they ask if you want bread ... the answer is yes - trust me. The food was good and the atmosphere was cute. I'd definitely go back. I forgot what we ordered but I'll attach some pics. One is obviously the lamb, but i forgot what the pasta was called. Oh and i got some lilikoi vodka drink that was good as well -- the bartender was definitely generous when they poured lol.

If you love chicken, try the etruscan chicken that is cooked under a hot brick. Ill tell you, once you have it , you'll be drawn back for more ! Casanova is a gem , great food , service and location.

Best steaks upcountry cooked to perfection ! If you're hungry share the tomahawk !! We were stuffed and brought the bone for the dog they also have delicious water ! A funny but nice perk

I had not been here fir several years, once upon a time going monthly for Upcountry music Sunday. I always thought the food and service were a perfect match, mediocre. Returned last week to a beautifully redone restaurant. No more dark cake, but light and airy. That was the best they could do. Service from our blonde waitress, meh. Food, meh. Service first was just ok. Lots of staff, hiwever NO ONE was interested in removing our used dirty plates which didn't get cleared till desert. Food? Nice looking fried calamari, improperly prepped so the breading fell right off the fish. Focaccia that was under proofed so it was dense and raw on the bottom ,light and fluffy on top. Pasta with mushrooms was good, but just a little too al dente. I don't think there is anyone in the kitchen.

When a restaurant serves fresh-made pasta, I have to check it out. We made reservations at Casanova in Makawao, even though it's a bit of a drive from where we were staying in Kihei, but we had just driven by there on our way back from Haleakala the day before, so it didn't seem as bad. What was bad was driving there in the dark. The parking lot was full of course, but we found parking around the corner. The dining room is really open and airy with high ceilings & exposed wood beam rafters with a large bar by the side entrance and a pizza oven on the way to the kitchen. Our waiter listed all the specials of the day and I wanted to try the Osso Buco. We started with the a small portion of fresh baked Focaccia with EVOO & balsamic for dipping. It was plenty for the 3 of us and had some to dip in the different sauces later. Following was Calamari Fritti, which was different from our normal East Coast rings. This was a thick calamari steak, breaded, fried, sliced and accompanied by a nice marinara sauce. It had a nice crunch. The Osso Buco arrived on a wood platter and the braised veal shank was covered in a rich wine sauce, accompanied by an also rich asparagus risotto. This was a heavy duty meal. On the lighter side, we also had fresh-made Ravioli di Magro al Tartufo. The thin pasta filled pillows filled with cheese and covered in light cream sauce was easily my favorite of the night. The Linguini & White Clam Sause was safe choice, with clams in shell. It had a very satisfying al dente chew you can only get with fresh made pasta. We ordered a side of meatballs just in case as a supplement, but we probably didn't need to because we had problems eating the very unctuous Osso Buco. They even supplied a marrow spoon to get at the gooey insides of the bone. Again we overdid it and didn't leave room for dessert and settled for some cappuccino. I would definitely make a return trip to Casanova to try their pizza and some more fresh pasta!

Our favorite date night spot in upcountry. The staff, food, and vibes here are immaculate. Would recommend going here for a date night, with family, or even a group of friends. The Chianti + Carbonara are my go-to picks when I stop in

5 stars for food, 4 stars for atmosphere/aesthetics, and 3 stars for service. The food was great. The overall restaurant could use a facelift to match the prices they are charging. Our waitress was friendly, but she had larger tables than us and basically forgot about us. Only time we saw her was when she took our order and handed us the check. Overall, Casanova was good. But, if you're only on the island for a short amount of time, there are better places to eat at in terms of service and value.

We've passed this restaurant during the day many times and finally made it back for an evening meal. It was delicious! Our appetizers were a fried artichoke dish and a polenta topped with yummy sauce and portobello mushroom. We shared a huge Mediterranean salad followed by a beef tenderloin and mushroom fettuccine. Portions were generous. We didn't save room for dessert. We will definitely return!

Dinner on Saturday was delicious, the calamari steak was out of this world. pizza was awesome. all in all a great dining experience . The staff was super friendly, can't wait to go back.

First off, we are locals. We eat here every couple of months. Had reservations, got the table we asked for. Our server personable but giving lots of attention to the tourists who ordered two bottles of wine to begin with. My husbands fish was great. My filet mignon, ordered Medium rare but not cold in the middle" was well done. We were not checked with again . No check to make sure all was ok. He offered the "tourist table" as much bread as they wanted. Us, no offer. The tourists one and done, we however ,up until now, several times a year. Even after we said meat was well done, no apology but thanked us for being candid. I do expect more.

Casanova's is a must if you are on Maui! Such amazing food and drinks!! And don't even get me started on the service! Some of the nicest people with the most positive energy serving you :-) I never wanted to leave. Also, one of the owners Hutch is what makes this place what it is!! Got the chance to meet him and he is such a nice guy, welcoming everyone in with open arms!!! If you are on Maui GO EAT HERE!!!!! :-)

Everyone looks busy when i go in... the service is spotty, the food only soso... my gnocci was dry, undercooked, big hard balls of potatoes... sauce was good if it was served in a bowl to make up for the gnocci dryness. Burnt bread. Up your game, new players coming to the block

Best filet I ever had but $63, for an 8 oz steak is a bit much! Extra charge for peppercorn sauce too.

We're from Honolulu, HI. Every so many years we meet friends from Seattle, WA and Lander, WY on Maui and we have at least one meal at Casanova's. Our friend Masa really loves the Rigatoni Chicken Vodka and orders it every time. This time, I ordered the Eggplant Melanzanie, which lived up to description I was given as spoonfuls of hot lava. Basically, a lasagna with eggplant strips instead of pasta. Chewy molten goodness.

12 Sept 2020 Overall, a decent place. Come for drinks, not dinner. In normal times, it's a highly rated Tripadvisor barnacle nabbing tourists as they float down the hill from their tour buses. I would come back and try brunch, tho. Try to sit at the cowboy bar or along the lush back wall garden. We sat at the bar, and the poor bartender working by herself couldn't keep up with tables in her area + the entire restaurant's drinks. Hopefully that's just a Covid thing. By the numbers: Food 3/5 Drinks 4/5 Service 4/5 Ambiance 4/5 Value 3/5 Lilikoi foam cocktail special (with whiskey) - Excellent. Kind of like a spiked Orange Julius. Focaccia with olive oil and vinegar - Okay. Deflated and overcooked. One piece was inedible. Hopefully it was just an off day. Linguine "Seafood" Pescatore - Excellent. Lots of flavor with a variety of fresh seafood on top of squid ink linguine. Broth is delicious for mopping up with bread. Tartufa pizza - Okay. A couple of white button mushrooms with tomato slices on a red sauce pie with some truffle oil drizzled on it in an attempt to give it flavor. Avoid.

I have been here probably around 5-6 times. I have not had any issues or complaints come up anytime during my visits: Service has been attentive, food is always good and consistent. I've had pizzas, pastas and salads and all are very good. The ambience is very non stuffy. The tables are far enough apart where you don't feel crowded. If I had to critique something, I would say that the desserts weren't memorable. They weren't bad but not great either. But overall, a really good restaurant. I recommend.

First of all, the live music. The singer had a lovely voice and the mood was very relaxed and smooth. She sang songs such as L-O-V-E & Jolene. The seating was spacious, with ample space between tables. Staff wore masks, and it seemed very in-ine with Covid standards. Our server was nice & accommodating. We came at the end of the lunch hour, so there weren't too many others in the restaurant. Our orders came out quickly - drinks followed by food. The food was really good, the benedict especially. The ravioli was tasty, but portions were small. There were only about 4 ravioli included in the dish. The Vongole was average- but we asked for additional ravioli sauce (which included truffle oil). Paired with the ravioli sauce & parmesan cheese, the vongole was a lot better. The chocolate mouse cake was chocolaty, but not too sweet and not extremely decadent - although I wouldn't call the taste "light." The creme brulee was sweet and very flavorful! Would definitely order again. We got a free tiramisu complimentary with our yelp check-in. Honestly it was just ok, but it was free, so can't complain. Altogether, this was a great place for brunch + mimosas with a great ambiance and efficient staff.

Up country residents. Hadn't been in well over a year due to last experience (s). Family here from mainland ... thought what the heck . We went Friday night... everything on point. Food, service excellent. Family from small town in Az. No decent Italian food. They loved it so much we went back last night. Friday was not a fluke... just as good Saturday night. The whole staff was eyeing each table to refill water, asking if we wanted more bread. .... But you did not feel bothered or rushed. Entrees were fresh and very nice portions that reheated well for lunch next day. Whatever happened there over the last year .. keep it up! We will be back

I ate there tonight, and it was some of the worst service I have ever had. First we checked in and sat at the bar, only to be were ignored by the bartender. We had to flag him down to order drinks, and then again for the second round. The hostess said it would be a 20 minute wait, 45 minutes later we flagged down a waiter and finally got a table. From there we were once again ignored for 20+ minutes by the staff. We then had to flag down a waiter again to get drinks, and then later order food. After waiting another 40 minutes we were contemplating leaving, when the two pizzas we ordered finally showed up. My pizza was under cooked, and neither of the two pizzas were worth a fraction of what they charge. So my final review is: bad food, worse service, and I recommend skipping this place. I have lived on the island for over 25 years, and eaten here many times in the past, but after tonight I will not be back.

I love this place. It took us a while to finally have a reason to eat here (we don't eat out much locally). We took our family here and what a great meal. Easy to go to with kids, which made it all greater. Prices are very reasonable and lastly...I LOVE italian food. Food was tasty. The kids were happy, parents were happy and had some quality drinks to go with it. It's great for a more low-key location and night out in good ole' Makawao.

Best Italian I've had in a long time. Chicken parmesan and fettuccine Alfredo were both incredible! Friendly staff they even remembered my husband's birthday (: Atmosphere was good for my jetlagged 4 1/2-year-old. Will definitely be coming back when we visit again.

Wow, what a treasure! This place is just amazing. We were staying in Makawao for 4 nights, and after eating here the first night, decided we had to come back again. All of the pasta is homemade (when we parked we were delighted to see the pasta man making it in the back window!!) and made perfectly at that! Perfect Al dente texture, and each of the four different pasta dishes were just done so well. You can really tell that the chefs take pride in their craft. On the first night we enjoyed the polenta appetizer (polenta was so light and almost fluffy!), the clams linguini (plenty of succulent clams, both in the robustly tangy wine and shellfish sauce and artfully presented in their shells), and the filet mignon fettuccine in brandy cream sauce (tender filet bits, rich and creamy brandy sauce). On the second night we enjoyed a quatro fromaggio pizza, because we really wanted to try the house-made mozzarella. Oh my goodness!!! So delicious. Also quite large so we ended up taking half home for leftovers, yay! Then for our entrees we had the lasagna, which came out piping hot with bubbly crisp cheese on top, and the bolognese was smooth and rich without being overly heavy, and the bucatini carbonara. The crispy pancetta and perfectly creamy carbonara sauce were to die for. Oh! And I almost forgot, we tried the lilikoi crème brûlée and the tiramisu as well! They were both just heavenly. Thank you also to our wonderful friendly server Kai, and the sweet other staff members! We look forward to coming back next time we are on Maui!

TL;DR - VEGETARIAN PARADISE! Also, easily some of the best Italian on the island and one of the nicer places upcountry to have a proper sit-down dinner. I did not expect this from a restaurant that does not actively advertise their vegetarian offerings, but this was one of the best collections of choices that I have seen on Maui! Other than specialty places, most Maui restaurants only have one or two vegetarian dishes or require you to make substitutions. Not Casanova! Most of their appetizers are vegetarian by design and we LOVED the fried artichoke hearts! I feel like I have not had a lot of choices lately (I am vegetarian for 8 months) and this menu had multiple vegetarian choices that looked amazing and I had to pick just one. It was a great feeling to have, so I highly recommend this option for fellow vegetarians! I chose the linguini al funghi and was not disappointed. I'd also like to mention the ambience. It was a charming space with great service and a was an excellent place to have a nice proper dinner date with my lady. A lot of the Maui food scene revolves around food trucks, so it was nice to really sit down and have a full dining experience. The food was very good. If you are visiting from a part of the mainland that is known for its Italian food, this place may not seem spectacular, but for Maui it is a great Italian option. Also, sure the prices look a little rough ($22-$24 for vegetarian pasta entrees) but.... thats Maui.

No on-line menu with prices, nor was there one on Yelp in the photos. That said, it is pricey. We were seated on-time during a busy night for them, staff were friendly, efficient, we had a great server. Pizza is from woodfired oven however, not the thinner, chewier crust I was hoping for, more of a typical pizza crust, but still very good pizza overall. Four out of five. Salads large, fresh, tasty. Good overall, four out of five pasta entree, very good. Would return.

Oh.My.God. What a fortuitous discovery this place was. Coming back from five days in Hana, where one eats in one's cottage or the few food trucks which may or may not be open, and certainly not in the evening, we decided to head upcountry Maui to Makawao for lunch. Those 600 hair pin turns on that 58 mile Hana Highway can give your stomach a case of the WTF's, despite the gorgeous scenery, so something comforting seemed in order. We'd never been in Makawao, fabled Paniolo (cowboy) center of Hawaii so weren't sure what to expect. Well, expect a lot because that town has done happened. Art galleries and boutiques line the streets of this once sleepy little town, traffic is dense, and folks have some pretty deep pockets, based on what I saw. However, the rustic corner building sitting at the crossroad called out, and am I happy it did. Casanova has been serving home made Italian pasta and really good, good food (Zagat loves them) for over 30 years. Owned by a trio of Italian buddies who moved to Maui together back in the day when one could afford to do that, they set their minds to providing world class fare. And entertainment (but I will get back to that). Turns out the building was the USO base during WWII, and both before and after that it was the Paniolo Dance Hall. As a result, this space is big. It has high, breezy ceilings, lots of tables, and a fantastic dance floor for when those famous bands deliver the beats. Plus, fantastic food. I had the Pasta Checca with Prawns, which was a delicately flavored plate of perfectly done Angel Hair pasta with fresh tomatoes, pine nuts, capers, slivers of spinach, garlic, lemon and succulent, so fresh from the sea, prawns. It came with a Caesar Salad that was crisp and perfectly dressed with a fantastic Caesar dressing. Someone in the kitchen gets Caesar. I ordered a French Rose' from the excellent wine list to go with my lunch. It was a generous pour of a crisp, tasty vintage and it went down just fine. My partner ordered the Maui Grass Fed Beef steak salad which he scarfed up like a hungry cowboy fresh off the hill. I think it fair to say he liked it. He drank a cold Corona with it. Ole. Now, back to the entertainment: the walls are festooned with signed posters going back to the early 80's of bands that gigged there. Taj Mahal, George Freakin' Harrison, good ole Willy Nelson (who has a house in the area and apparently drops in to jam from time to time) and just so many real talents that all I could do was take pictures of a few posters to include with this review. Check 'em out. Oh, I heard the Saltimbucco is to die for. And get this--we paid less for this amazing meal with two good adult beverages than we did for a mediocre dinner we had in Lahaina. Maui is crazy effing expensive but this was fair at $58 (I know) for two. Island prices, Brah.

I am so glad they have opened for take-out and dine-in options! This was my first time ordering take-out at this location AND tasting the food since transitioning to new owners. COVID Precautions: Hand sanitizer available. Social distancing is enforced. Employees and guests wear masks. Surfaces disinfected. Take-out is available. Take-out Experience: I found their current menu via their website. I called the restaurant to place my order, they answered quickly and it couldn't have been easier to do. The individual taking my order estimated it would be ready in 20 minutes. I arrived about 30 minutes later and parked along Baldwin Ave. as their immediate lot was surprisingly full. A table is set up at the front of the door in which I was greeted by a hostess. She stated that my order was in the works and apologized. I waited an additional 10 minutes or so, which I feel is understandable as they are continuing take-out services while having recently opened for dine-in. To my surprise, they looked very busy with dine-in guests! Food: Although my lasagna slid around in the box and toppled over during the car ride home, it was delicious none-the-less! The meaty marinara was flavored perfectly. The Foccacia bread with olive oil and vinegar remains as my craving. The bread was so incredibly moist, I could hear it with every bite. My family and I frequented this business throughout my lifetime and best believe I'll remain a patron even with the new owners.

Bread was charred on top. Husband's pasta was too al dente, way undercooked. He's not one to return the food. My vodka rigatoni was meh, not enough sauce & flavor of sauce was just okay. We skipped dessert, worried it wouldn't be good like our food. Our server came by once in the beginning to check on us, she forgot to bring butter I requested & I asked one of the guys who brought out the food & drinks to bring it. Another thing...the food & drinks were all brought out by other staff, not our "server." All she did was take our order. Oh, and she didn't mention the specials; we forgot to ask until we heard her tell the table next to us. Sad to say I won't return.

Dis gotta b my new go to place when I wanna eat in a nice place w great food n good service! From now on eveytime I come to Maui to visit relatives I'm definitely gonna stop by Cassanovas fo dinner n some wine. This place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside n on top of dat it has a nice ambiance like a fine dining joint. Last nites Wild Mushroom Costini w some kind of sherry cream sauce was da bomb! Totally unexpected when I first saw it on da table w da crostini drenched in a mushroom sauce. Expected a soggy tasteless crostini but this one exploded w taste! Gonna order dat again! Upcountry Salad w beets sliced so thin u could almost see thru it n seemed like one piece of a whole strawberry cut in 4 pieces was da only appointment of da nite. N I don't know how they get so much flavor in their Angel hair pasta w Shrimp, Capers n Pine Nuts. This dish tasted way better den Assagios Shrimp Assagio in Honolulu. N dat Teramisu was pretty good too! All in all u can't beat dis place fo great service, great food n great ambiance.

Got the Ribeye and broccoli my date got the fillet and we shared the MEDITERRANEAn salad and we each added a lobster tail and bay leaf butter. Everything was exceptional.

Casanova's has always been a good stand by restaurant for as long as I've been coming here which is 13 years. It was never my first choice for a dinner spot but that has definitely changed! I came here with some friends for dinner - we had made a reservation since it's the busy time of year for all restaurants on the island (Christmas/New Year). I hadn't been here since before COVID and wow was I surprised - they had the tables well spaced apart so the restaurant felt roomy. The menu is strong with diverse Italian flavors. And when the food came, I was shocked. This might be the best Italian food that I've had outside of Italy. I hardly ever crave Italian food but I have not been able to stop thinking about the food here. The chicken parmesan was fantastic - I ordered the Positano pasta and had them make it with bucatini instead of rigatoni and it was so fantastic - their tomato sauce is on point - the real deal. We also had calamari and polenta and everything was fantastic. This is definitely now on my list of favorite restaurants.