At Casamigo the wicker basket of toasted bread and butter placed on a table covered with a green plaid tablecloth transports you to an Italian dinner setting. Resembling a European bakery, the bistro located at Ambalathumukku in Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram, reveals a cozy interior with warm colors illuminated by lanterns. An abundance of fake plants and flowers adorn the ceiling, while the desserts gaze intently at the entrance through a blurred glass case at the counter.
“It took us about a year to set up,” says owner Anusha Ann Antony, who previously worked in aviation in Africa with her husband.
Anusha Ann Antony, Owner of Casamigo | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
“I was in Africa for 10 years, but I didn’t feel like I was suited to my job there. I was unemployed for a while and then started baking for a mixed crowd of my friends and neighbors – Lebanese, French, Americans and Europeans. They inspired me to start baking as a business, and I did that there for seven years,” says Anusha, who recently moved back to Thiruvananthapuram after her stint in Africa.
“When I arrived here, I wanted to do more than just bake cakes. I wanted to bring the flavors of my travels to the table,” says Anusha, who with the help of her friend Robbie Daniel, is attempting to showcase fusion food by combining elements of Asian, French, Italian and African cooking. At Casamigo, there is a seamless mix of dishes, from sweet and spicy wings to stewer boeuf (a version of French beef stew).
Robbie Daniels and Anusha Ann Antony in Casamigo | Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
Wings to Fly is a rendition of classic wings tossed in a pan with a sticky, sweet and spicy sauce, generously coated with chopped onions, scallions, chili flakes and so on. The cooked wings are tossed in a sauce that is rich in aroma. This is a great start to a meal at ₹180.
Wings to fly from Casamigo Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
Although the name stewer boeuf may sound foreign, its flavor shares similarities with Kerala-style beef stew. The marbled meat is cooked with mushrooms and Italian herbs for six hours in the oven. It is seasoned generously with ground black pepper and black pepper. The beef fat obtained from braising makes a rich gravy. Scraping the gravy off a piece of buttered bread and a small piece of tender meat with a soft, fatty layer is pure joy. It is priced at ₹340 and is available with buttered bread and rice.
Stouper Boeuf from Casamigos | Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
Amigos Spaghetti is a bowl of Italian pasta served with a range of luncheon meats and fried eggs. Long and thin pasta is tossed in a butter-based sauce and dressed with chili oil, which breaks up the richness of the butter. While tomatoes are used in the sauce, it is conspicuous by its being a typical red-sauce pasta dish. This pasta dish, priced at ₹290, is flavored with oregano and other Italian herbs.
Amigos Spaghetti from Casamigo | Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
Their menu also includes dishes like Amigos Chicken, a plate of slow-cooked chicken flavored with African spices and Italian herbs. It is served with porotta or rumali roti and is available for ₹280. For vegetarians, there are Belly Belly Bake (₹240), a baked and stuffed bell pepper dish, and Paneer Blanche with Mushroom Gravy (₹250).
The sweets at Casamigo have attracted social media attention since their opening in April. Their Strawberry Cheesecake with Oreo Biscuit Base might be recommended for those who prefer a slightly less sweet dessert. The strawberry jam on top adds tanginess to the dish while the crumb and cream cheese contribute to the sweetness. However, this dessert was a bit heavy and could have been served in smaller portions.
Blush Milk Cake from Casamigo Photo Courtesy: Nainu Oommen
Casamigo’s Blush Milk Cake is the star of the dessert menu. This presentation of Tres Leches Cake with Rose Milk is the perfect end to the meal. Soft, spongy, moist cake soaked in fragrant rose and saffron milk, which flows out at the gentle touch of the spoon. Topped with a white chocolate mousse, each bite experienced a contrasting texture – a slightly heavy but smooth mousse with a light, moist sponge, dried rose petals and even some nuts. By the time your cake is finished, pouring rose milk on the plate is inevitable and you can just drink it straight and count the calories. This dish is available for ₹180.
