#InauguralReview #EliasCasaBianca Since 2025 by Elez Bucaj 398 E 52nd St Just East of First Avenue #NorthernItalian
Founder and Owner Elez Bucaj with Elias Homemade Fettuccine in their signature Veal Ragu
It's not who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and we know Elez Bucaj! Beachy Peachy met him last summer at TeUra, his amazing Coney Island venue, previously featured. He told us he was opening in Manhattan, which of course is what the best of the best from the outer boroughs often do, and his timing was fantastic one day as we saw exactly how dedicated he was to opening Elia's Casa Bianca, previously announced by us last September. On December 17, 2025 Elia's Casa Bianca opened and it's named after Elez's daughter! If you know Peachy at all, you know her Dad rules and he is her favorite person so we particularly love the Father/Daughter theme. This is our first visit to Elia's Casa Bianca, and we were delighted to also meet Executive Chef German Niveies. Elez and German have worked together for twenty years they tell us; do not be fooled by this restaurant's young age: Elez has owned restaurants for two decades in New York. Everything at Elia's Casa Bianca is spotless and they understand when you ask for vertically sliced lemons in your water. The interior is gorgeous and we particularly like the skylight, and of course the CHANDELIERS (we are pro-chandelier).
We absolutely loved the Melenzane appetizer and the inviting depth of flavor of the stuffed eggplant with ricotta, parmigiano, mozzarella and tomato are absolutely going to make your day, even you, Clint Eastwood. Elez personally greeted us upon our arrival and worked with us for the duration of the review of course. He tells us the cuisine is inspired by his storied visits to Tuscany and Florence, and this menu is Northern Italian. We applaud that there are six salad choices. We chose three, starting with Bietola. Rucola, Red Beets, Gorgonzola and a particularly artful incarnation of lemon orange zest awaits you. It comes with Blue Cheese dressing and of course the picky one here asked for it on the side and they complied perfectly.
Perhaps our favorite salad was the Gamberi. The size of the shrimps were great and they were grilled to perfection. Mixed greens, avocado and corn sang backup and lemon dressing is the accentuation here. With each of the salads, you may choose to add either protein of grilled chicken or shrimp as an extra component should your little heart desire.
The classic Caesar Salad is ideally presented with crunchy romaine and anchovies, authenticating the experience. We chose to add grilled chicken and it was exactly what we were looking for.
Note that even in this arctic weather here right now, all produce elements were super fresh and this we imagine is not easy to achieve. Elez Bucaj is in it to win it at his first Manhattan restaurant.
Elia's Casa Bianca excels at Primi, pasta. We began with the firework of Elias: Homemade Fettucine with Elia's veal ragu. It is his daughter Elia's favorite dish and we can see why! The sensational hearty quality of the inviting veal ragu is a symphony of flavor with the elegantly appointed pasta. Of course like many things in life, it is better with freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, grated in front of us by Elez himself who takes great pride in his vocation.
Elez suggested the Paccheri and it is a lovely al dente primi of sweet pork sausage cooked in balsamic vinegar and tomato sauce in a bespoke 24-hour proprietary method that will wow you. It is the ultimate winter dish right now, and rigatoni comes to the party. Personally, Peachy absolutely adored the simplicity of the Rigatoni, which is sensationally sublime with eggplant, cherry tomato and burrata in perfect proportion. Note we never edit pictures, you excel like Elez and Elia or we do not publish.
Elez suggested we try the Branzino, and the impressive rendition of Mediterranean Sea Bass arrived in style with asparagus and broccoli rabe, waltzing in a lovely beurre blanc sauce complete with capers. Wild fish is delivered five days a week at Elia's Casa Bianca from Seatide, ensuring freshness.
The last primi Peachy discovered was among her favorites in this inaugural visit: Capesante. Jumbo scallops ideally seared luxuriate in al dente linguine with just the right touch of leeks and parmigiano.
Rounding out the secondi course with amazing pizzaz was the Romana and the Salmone. The creative presentation of the Romana of juicy chicken breast was a revelation in artichokes and green peas with roasted potatoes. Often chicken at lesser venues can ultimately be boring, but not at all here! The combination is a winner. Finally, last but certainly not close to least is the home run of the grilled salmon, emblazoned beautifully with a phenomenal truffle accent and mushrooms and shallots. Also, half the menu will change seasonally so if something especially captivates you, go for it now! Their wine list is superb, and they use the correct fine glasses.
This is the best new Manhattan restaurant you haven't been to yet.
Make one of the 66 seats yours.
We look forward to seeing what Elia's Casa Bianca does next!
