We had been working in Playa Blanca and were looking for somewhere for an evening meal, we fancied pizza so headed for the Italian restaurant Casale Franco.
Casale Franco is situated on the top floor of the Papagayo shopping centre and has great views down to Playa Dorada beach and the coast of Playa Blanca. The restaurant terrace was almost full, we secured the last table and ordered Peroni draft beer whilst we decided what to eat.
The pizzas looked fantastic as they passed us, so Mike stuck with what he had fancied, where as I was tempted by a pasta dish of ravioli stuffed with smoked goats cheese and pumpkin, served in a sage butter and walnut sauce.
The terrace is quite unusual, there is a circular concrete structure dividing the space and creating some privacy from other tables, and ask dusk fell, this area was lit up with twinkling blue fairy lights.
Mike’s pizza Vulcano was cooked in a wood fired oven, the topping was chorizo and fresh chilli. The base edge of the pizza puffs up, and the centre is thick with topping, so you get thin and crispy plus deep pan in one combination.
My Ravioli di Zucca was lovely, it was so good to see something different on the menu, the freshly made ravioli parcels were large and delicate and the flavour combination really worked.
We decided to splurge and order dessert, Mike had the Caprese an indulgent flourless chocolate and almond cake, and I ordered the Dulce Dolce ice-cream which was a sundae with vanilla ice cream, caramel and dulce leche (sweet milk).
I also had a barraquito which is a layered coffee with condensed milk, liqor 43, an expresso and frothy milk topping.
Price wise, my pasta dish was €11.90 and Mike’s pizza €8.90, and the desserts €5.50 – €6.00.
This is a very popular location, if you’re planning to dine early evening, we’d recommend making a reservation if you want to secure a table on the terrace. It’s a shame that when seated you can’t enjoy the sea view, which could be solved if the balcony walls were made of glass.
The staff were friendly and attentive, we’d definitely return for another Italian meal if we lived in the South of Lanzarote.
Tel: 928 51 96 49
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