Casa Basso

Theophilus Brouwer House
Theophilus Brouwer House
	The locally historic Theophilus Brouwer House.
Location	59 Montauk Highway,; Westhampton, NY
Coordinates	40°49′17″N 72°39′47″W / 40.82139°N 72.66306°W
Architect	Theophilus Brower
Governing body	Private
	Location of Theophilus Brouwer House in New York

Casa Basso is an Italian restaurant located on the eastern end of Long Island in Westhampton, New York. It is the site of the Theophilus Brouwer House. The property including both Casa Basso and the house has been designated a Westhampton Hamlet Heritage Resource, as it includes ruins of the pottery studio and kiln of Theophilus Anthony Brouwer, Jr.^[1]

History

Location

The property is bordered by Montauk Highway to the front and the Beaver Dam Creek to the back. It was originally purchased in the late 19th century by American artist Theophilus Anthony Brouwer, Jr. As a young man, Brouwer traveled and studied art in Spain and Italy, and when he returned to Long Island, he built a castle like one he remembered near Seville. After completing the castle, he adorned the property with romantic sculptures which include two twelve foot swordsmen, a Roman lion, and a Psyche. This man-made property would later become known as Pinewold Park and be open for public viewing.

Restaurant

Casa Basso was opened as a restaurant for the first time in 1928 by New York restaurateur M.L. Basso and his family.^[2] The Basso family successfully operated the restaurant until 1958 when it was purchased by Valerio "Rene" Mondini.^[3] In 1986, Mondini sold the restaurant to his longtime apprentice, Bejto Bracovic, who became the new owner and executive chef.

Closing

After serving the community for 96 years, on November 23, 2024 the restaurant closed it's doors for the very last time.

References

^ "Hamlet Heritage Resources" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 25, 2006.
^ Articola, Christy (2023-02-16). "Open For Almost A Century, Dining At Casa Basso In New York Is Always A Timeless Experience". OnlyInYourState®. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
^ "Casa Basso serves up fine Italian food for 80 years". 27 East. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

External links

[WHHR-1] "Hamlet Heritage Resources" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 25, 2006.

[2] Articola, Christy (2023-02-16). "Open For Almost A Century, Dining At Casa Basso In New York Is Always A Timeless Experience". OnlyInYourState®. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

[3] "Casa Basso serves up fine Italian food for 80 years". 27 East. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2024-06-01.

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