“They are definitely the heroes of the menu,” says Casa Cibo’s executive chef Joey Goldman. He’s talking about Big Betty and Massive Myrtle, the restaurant’s identical wood-fired ovens. “We had to label them because everything kept being blamed on Betty. Myrtle was getting away with it.”

Imported from Naples, the Stefano Ferrara wood-fired pizza ovens weigh three-and-a-half tonnes each. They are one of the reasons why Casa Cibo’s opening was delayed until mid-December last year. It meant Casa Cibo was the last venue to open in Westfield Chermside’s new food precinct, which includes both Betty’s Burgers and Bin 931.

“The ovens are so heavy we had to reinforce the floor,” Goldman says. “They would have ended up in Target below us.”

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Casa Cibo is the latest venue from Raw Group, which also owns Madame Wu in the CBD and South Brisbane’s Chu the Phat. Seating more than 350, Casa Cibo is built over two floors. The first floor centres on Betty and Myrtle, with a large feature tile floor and timber seating. Upstairs is the main kitchen and bar, with booth seating and a veranda for outdoor dining.

Previously overseeing all six Jamie’s Italian restaurants across Australia, Goldman has created a menu that utilises Betty and Myrtle to their full potential. Pork ragù is slow-roasted in the wood-fired ovens before being tossed with house-made casarecce pasta. The porchetta gets the same treatment, served with buckwheat polenta and salsa verde. Pizzas (bianca and rossa) have proven popular, while there are also antipasti dishes, salads and share boards.

There’s a range of Italian, Australian and New Zealand wines on offer, including chilled wine on-tap. Beer is also available on-tap or by the bottle.

Drawing on his time working with Jamie Oliver, Goldman has placed particular focus on the kids’ menu, consulting with a nutritionist friend. Business cards containing basil or parsley seeds are offered to littlies for them to grow at home. Given the shopping centre location, it makes Casa Cibo a great family-friendly dining option.

Casa Cibo
Westfield Chermside, Corner Gympie and Hamilton Roads, Chermside
3359 2686

Hours:
Mon to Wed 11am–9pm
Thu & Fri 11am–10pm
Sat 8.30am–10pm
Sun 8.30am–9pm

casacibo.com.au