Casa di Vino opens in Massapequa

Although its name might connote a wine bar, the new Casa di Vino in Massapequa is actually a small plate-large plate restaurant serving most of its wines by the bottle and only a few by the glass. The place opened in October in the space that used to house Gigi’s Pizza. What's interesting is that the owner of the former pizzeria, Louis Valente, is both chef and owner here.

A brick pizza oven turns out such personal “pizzette” as a Caprese ($4) and an arugula with prosciutto pie  ($13). Small plates include meatball sliders ($9) and chorizo with potatoes ($9). Valente said that pastas, such as the lobster risotto ($23),  are big enough to share. Main dishes include chicken Parmigiana ($13) and stuffed shrimp with crabmeat ($17).

Casa di Vino is at 4308 Merrick Rd., Massapequa, 516-799-9463