Experience: Casa Della Luce in Westerly

This Italian eatery impresses with scratch-made pasta and sauces

Gnocchi Bolognese

Photos by Stacey Place

Clam Chowder

Photos by Stacey Place

Cavatelli with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe

Photos by Stacey Place

Seafood Ravioli

Photos by Stacey Place

Posted Tuesday, October 1, 2024 9:00 am

Cuisine: Italian comfort food

Atmosphere: Bright, casual, welcoming

Must-Try Items

Veal Parmesan ($31): Milk-fed bone-in veal chop pounded thin, lightly breaded, and topped with marinara and mozzarella cheese, served over homemade fettuccine

Gnocchi Bolognese ($23): Old-fashioned handmade potato gnocchi tossed in savory bolognese sauce, topped with parmesan cheese and finished in the oven

Seafood Ravioli ($25): Pillows of fresh pasta stuffed with Gulf shrimp, tender sea scallops, sweet Maine lobster, finished with a lobster brandy cream sauce

By Stacey Place

Housed in a strip mall on Route 1 in Westerly is a hidden gem killing it in the Italian food game. Granted, Rhode Islanders know Italian cuisine, and there are countless eateries serving up authentic dishes, but not all do what Casa Della Luce is known for: making their own pasta.

A recent renovation updated the tables and booths, and pale hues accentuate the natural lighting to brighten up the comfortable dining room, with the hustle and bustle of the open kitchen signaling the magic happening behind the scenes. Walking into Casa Della Luce, my friends and I were immediately hit with the mouthwatering aroma of fresh garlic.

Our attentive server presented us with the beer and wine list. I opted for the sangria, which was a light sipper and not too sweet. I savored it over a round of their popular Garlic Knots for the table – and quickly came to understand why they dish out these simple snacks by the hundreds every night. Pizza dough, lots of fresh garlic, and marinara sauce are a trifecta made in heaven.

We also sampled their award-winning Clam Chowder, which was served with a delicious mini clam cake. Other starters included the crisp, addicting Eggplant Fries and Arancini served with rich bolognese. The restaurant offers New York-style pizza, which was fantastic with a sturdy, no-flop crust, flavorful sauce that was neither too sweet nor too savory, and lots of cheese.

Then we arrived at the most anticipated course: homemade pasta. I ventured to try the Chicken Parmesan, and while I’m very picky about the preparation of this classic dish, Casa Della Luce’s version was a winner. The chicken was thin, crispy, and topped with just enough melty mozzarella, and the fresh fettuccine on the side was cooked al dente. A round of House-Made Meatballs, served with ribbons of fresh tagliarini, was truly satisfying, and the whole table loved the Seafood Ravioli. This dish packed a punch with shrimp, lobster, and scallops stuffed into pillowy pasta, covered in a decadent lobster brandy cream sauce.

Whether ordering their Cavatelli with Sausage and Broccoli Rabe, the Gnocchi Bolognese, Penne Ala Vodka, or other decadent entrees, you can’t go wrong with their fresh, homemade pasta and sauces. Even in a state where Italian restaurants abound, Casa Della Luce stands out, from the ingredients to the friendly hospitality.