CASA L'ACQUA Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in Delray Beach

After visiting this restaurant several months ago and having a great experience (thanks to one particular knowledgeable server) I was excited to return and celebrate my husband’s birthday. Sadly, the night took a turn for the worse. As we arrived with friends, we decided to grab a drink at the bar while our table was being prepared. The bartender rightfully insisted on IDs from all prior to serving drinks. Unfortunately, two of the four guests did not have physical IDs on hand (thanks to virtual/Apple Pay) however, we were both flattered for the compliment (so much for my husband looking 37) but offered to share photos of our passports stored to our devices. She quickly declined and we were then seated at our table.

The server asked what drinks we would like to put in, if any. The bartender quickly took it upon herself to disrupt our service, telling the server that we were carded at the bar. After requesting to speak with management, he stated that there was an unfortunate event at this restaurant for serving people of under age just a few weeks ago resulting in medical care and they were being extra cautious due to the liability and that their new policy requires anyone and everyone to be carded both at the bar and dining. He offered to serve the two guests without physical IDs if we could provide photos of proof. We understood and were happy to provide the requested proof of age.

After returning a few moments later, he then stated he would not honor the images on our devices and do need a physical ID. I then asked if every member dining surrounding us was carded and he clearly lied stating they had been per the new policy. I kindly asked a group of three middle-aged beautiful ladies whom were enjoying a glass of wine if they were carded before receiving their drinks. The one woman jokingly laughed and responded “I’m 50 years old sweetie do you think they are carding me” proving that the manager, did not in deed card ALL guests dining at the restaurant that evening and this was strictly targeted and a discriminatory act. He even threatened me that if I ask another table if they were carded that I would be asked to leave - confirming that this was NOT in fact the restaurants policy. It was apparent and obvious he did not know what to say or what to do and was retracting on his offer to accept pictures of our identification.

Shame on this establishment for the embarrassing experience and how poorly handled this situation was. The silver lining is that we enjoyed a much better meal and dining experience at the new Campi restaurant in the Ray Hotel that far exceeded the product and service provided by...

My recent visit to Casa L’acqua left me in awe and craving for more! From the moment I stepped into the restaurant to the last bite of my meal, everything was simply exceptional.

The ambiance was inviting and charming, it’s in an old house in Delray Beach, a cozy and authentic atmosphere. The staff members were warm, friendly, and genuinely passionate about providing an unforgettable dining experience, specially Cecilia who went above and beyond to create a truly memorable night.

Let's talk about the main star: the food! Oh my goodness, the flavors were absolutely exquisite. To start off, we were served 4 bite size pieces of cheese, along with a sweet homemade sauce to pair with the cheese and some homemade bread, and two bruschettas, this is all complimentary.

I started my gastronomic journey with their hot ceviche over risotto, which was a beautifully presented masterpiece. The risotto was perfectly cooked and the fish was juicy and bursting with flavor, complemented perfectly by the Italian glass of wine Cecilia suggested. It was a true delight for both the eyes and the taste buds.

As a pasta lover, I couldn't resist trying their homemade pasta dishes. The lobster ravioli was velvety and rich, with the perfect balance between creaminess and lobster meat. Each bite melted in my mouth, and the pasta was cooked to perfection.

For the main course, I indulged in their New Zealand lamb chops, which was nothing short of perfection. The tender braised full rack was served with a heavenly side of roasted potatoes topped with sage, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors. It was a divine combination that I will be dreaming about for nights to come.

To top it all off, Joe (the owner) and Cecilia sent us their authentic tiramisu as dessert. It was pure bliss! The delicate layers of ladyfingers, soaked in fragrant coffee and layered with creamy mascarpone, were a dessert lover's paradise. Each bite left me yearning for more, and I savored it until the very last spoonful.

Overall, Casa L’acqua exceeded all expectations I had for an Italian dining experience. The attention to detail, the quality of ingredients, and the culinary craftsmanship were truly remarkable. Whether you're a food enthusiast, seeking a romantic dinner, or simply looking for an outstanding meal, I highly recommend you visit this hidden gem - you won't be disappointed! And ask for Cecilia!

Thank you to the entire team for providing an unforgettable dining experience. I can't wait to return and explore more of your tantalizing...

We tried to dine here tonight on a whim, but the attempt was unsuccessful. We were to be seated on the covered outdoor patio and just before being led to our table, I was told by the hostess that I needed to remove my baseball cap. I have no problem doing so, but as someone who has traveled the world extensively and has dined at some of the finest restaurants in the world, I don’t need to be given a lesson on etiquette, and I found it offensive that the hostess couldn’t give me the benefit of the doubt that I’d conform to such social customs. After all, we hadn’t even entered the restaurant or committed to the table. Also, the temperature was on the cusp of being too cold to reasonably expect anyone to remove their headwear.

Once seated, the service was laboriously slow, and our server had such low energy that we truly questioned whether she even wanted our business. Both she and the other server (I have no idea what his actual role was) spoke to us on such hushed voices that we couldn’t understand a word they were saying.

After bringing us bread and water and giving us a chance to look over the menu, we all closed our menus to signal that we were ready to order. Nearly a half hour went by with the servers walking directly past our table, serving us water and adding bread, yet nobody took our order.

Having seen this type of situation play out at other restaurants in the past, I wasn’t about to invest more time in the experience. Such slow service from a staff that isn’t invested always results is subpar service throughout the entire meal as well as food that is mediocre at best. I refuse to pay good money for poor service and bad food, so I suggested to my party that we leave.

When I asked our server for the bill so I could pay for the tea that my wife ordered, the server froze and didn’t move. If another member of our party hadn’t stepped up to push the issue, I was prepared to walk out without even paying for the tea. If a server can’t understand the sentence “We don’t wish to wait any longer and would like our bill for the tea”, then I’m not obliged to pursue the matter any further.

I get the impression that this restaurant isn’t interested in having any business or serving their customers any food, and I have no interest in exploring the matter any further. That said, the bread and water...