Casino
Italian restaurant · Lower East Side
171 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002
"In September, Swift visited Lower East Side Casino, where she ordered Cosmos, the once maligned cocktail, now, thanks to her, having a comeback. With its glam ’80s vibe, Casino is an Italian Riviera-themed party spot that attracts folks from the fashion and art worlds. Seafood anchors the menu with dishes like fritto misti, crudo, whole roasted turbot, and a lobster cioppino." - Melissa McCart
"Casino is very Dimes Square, but it’s not Kiki’s Dimes Square. Things are more upscale around here. With its faux marble columns and Corvette-red color scheme, the Mediterranean restaurant seems to be going for a 1980s theme, and it's an appropriate choice if you want to get slightly dressed up and graze on branzino. You might not see celebrities, but you'll definitely encounter people who consider themselves locally famous." - bryan kim, willa moore, neha talreja
"“I like Casino a lot right now. It’s fantastic and feels like a Wes Anderson movie when you walk in. They changed their menu quite a bit, but I love all of their pastas. They just do a great job with their ingredients, and their espresso martini is fantastic.”" - gabe bergado
"Want to see some D-list celebrities eating bucatini? If so, come to Casino, where the floors are bright red, the lights are dim, and the crowd is always partially composed of people who’ve never been to Brooklyn and/or don’t know what a rent check is. The French/Italian food can be hit or miss, and it definitely isn’t cheap—but who cares? This is a fun, sceney place where you can down a few cosmos and meet your next short-term relationship." - bryan kim, kenny yang, carina finn koeppicus, neha talreja, will hartman
"If Dimes Square had a neighborhood bistro, what would it look like? Would it have bright red floors? Faux marble pillars? How about some funky ’80s-esque light fixtures and a bust of the Virgin Mary? That sounds about right, and it’s exactly what you’ll find at Casino. This Lower East Side restaurant is all about ambiance—but the food isn’t an afterthought. The Mediterranean menu is hearty and unpretentious, with options like pappardelle with smoked lamb shoulder ragù, and a filet mignon with lobster roe au poivre. The latter might sound fussy, but it’s actually satisfying, a bit messy, and weirdly nostalgic. And that’s Casino in a nutshell. Try this place for your next casually extravagant night out, and don’t skip the cocktails." - Carina Finn Koeppicus, Bryan Kim, Hannah Albertine, Will Hartman
