Casa Tua New York — Restaurant in New York

A Five-Star Experience, Thanks to Danielle Balsano!!!

Dining at Casa Tua in the Surrey Hotel has become one of the most treasured parts of my week - and that is in no small part thanks to the exceptional hospitality of Danielle Balsano. Danielle is, without exaggeration, the gold standard of what a host should be.

From the moment you step through the doors, Danielle makes you feel like you’ve arrived at your second home. He is consistently kind, gracious, and accommodating - always greeting guests with a warm smile and a quiet confidence that immediately puts everyone at ease. Impeccably dressed and groomed, with a professional charm that never feels rehearsed, Danielle possesses a natural ability to connect with people in a meaningful and authentic way.

I first brought my parents to Casa Tua, and they still talk about the experience - and about Danielle - regularly. It left a lasting impression that speaks volumes. I’ve also brought my girlfriend, who is from Sicily, and seeing how Danielle made her feel instantly at home, speaking with her in their shared Sicilian dialect and bringing that touch of southern warmth, was something truly special. It’s rare to meet someone who can make everyone at the table - from different generations and backgrounds - feel seen, comfortable, and cared for.

Danielle’s communication skills are flawless. He manages the flow of the dining room with grace, ensuring every guest is taken care of without ever seeming rushed. He makes every gathering - whether it’s an intimate dinner or a larger celebration - feel seamless and personal.

Because of Danielle, Casa Tua has become our go-to weekly destination, a place where we bring friends and family knowing they’ll have an exceptional time. He elevates the entire experience and truly embodies the spirit of hospitality. I can say without hesitation that Danielle Balsano deserves every recognition and opportunity for advancement. He is a rare gem in New York’s dining scene, and anyone lucky enough to be welcomed by him is in for an...

I was seriously disappointed with my dining experience at Casa Tua. For a 5-star restaurant that is in the lobby of a 5-star hotel, you would expect a different level or service and attention to detail with the personnel taking care of our party. At the outset, while we were 14 minutes late for our reservation (within the grace period), we ended up having to wait 45 minutes to be seated. When we were seated, we were seated in a near-empty area of the restaurant without any of the other patrons around. (Very odd for a restaurant whose hostess had been telling us no tables were available for the past 45 minutes.) When we were shown to our table, no one asked to check our coats, so we had to get up from our table to check them with the hostess. When the bread arrived, it was cold/not fresh, and the server provided a drop of olive oil that was gone after the first dip of bread. While our waiter was nice, our table was cleared of bread and plates much too soon, as though our second course was about to arrive. Oddly, no second course arrived for another 15 minutes, so we did not have any plate or utensils to at least continue eating our bread at the table. By the time our second course (pasta) arrived, it was so late that we cancelled our third course. Strangely, the manager told us they had a lot of pasta orders that evening so the kitchen was backed up, which was confusing because this is an Italian restaurant so multiple pasta orders should be expected. When our pasta did arrive, no one offered to add pepper until we asked for it ourselves. Of course, these things may not seem that big of a deal when you are at a chain restaurant like California Pizza Kitchen. However, this is not at all the type of service I expected to have at a 5 star restaurant that boasts $36 appetizer salads and $45 glasses of wine. Anyway, very easy to say I will never be...

Casa Tua is within The Surrey hotel in NYC. ( and we love The Surrey!) There are 2 sides to the restaurant. One is the restaurant itself and the other is more of a bar.

The service in the restaurant is wonderful and the food is superb. The lighting and ambiance is soft and elegant. We have had dinner there only once and it was a lovely experience. The staff is attentive and professional. They have a warmth about them which makes you feel so welcome. I particularly love the art (large photographs of relaxing family times and food!) they have displayed.

My husband and I enjoy their bar for a cocktail. The experience within the bar mirrors the restaurant but is more intimate yet still very chic and cool. Colorful and vibrant books (as in large coffee table books) are the primary decor. They line the walls. Are displayed with subtle lighting, on tables. Cozy seating, comfy chairs.

Someone, likely the manager, Daniele Balsano, will be there to open the door to welcome you with a smile, an Italian greeting, and maybe a kiss on your hand ( I approve. No worries!) Daniele does an excellent job tending to the patrons and making everyone feel welcome ( in his home!) If he’s not juggling the workings of the bar behind the scenes, he’s with his guests, making sure our needs are met. He’s so good at juggling the tasks at hand while elegantly tending to his guests.

The bartenders are delightful. Sometimes I’m indecisive and each time they offer suggestions and try new things and the results are always delicious. The bar area is fairly small so if you like to sit at the bar, like we do, better get there early or wait patiently.

Prepare yourself for a...