by Nick Christophers

If you like to go back in time and relive dining of the Middle Eastern style, then Casa La Femme is the place to be. The restaurant tucked in the middle of the West Village is decorated in a way that makes you feel like you stepped off a plane in Cairo. The colorful lights that lead you to your private table that overlooks the center of the dining area are done up in an elegant style fitting for a prince and princess.

Entering the establishment, I was greeted by a gentleman who offered me and my date a wine of our choice. The wine which was sparkling wine was not only delicious but set the mood. We were then escorted to a comfortable table that overlooked the center of the restaurant. The server Alejandro was pleasant and made us feel at home. Overall, his service was excellent. We ordered a mezza of dips, tahini, humus, and zabadi. The dip that left us wanting more was the tahini which is a sesame spread with olive oil. In addition, to the dips they brought over a plate of Egyptian pita bread that was outstanding. Being a Greek, our pita is somewhat similar, but this was out of this world tasty and full flavored.

It is important to take note that one of the owners Anastasi Hairatidis, who is of Greek origin came from the fashion world before being involved with the service industry. From 1982-1989 Anastasi was involved in designing and manufacturing upscale avant-garde line of fur and outerwear under the label Anastasi Custom Furs. His line was showcased at such prestigious locations like Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as numerous upscale boutiques throughout the United States. While in that industry is where he met his future Casa La Femme partner, Medhat Ibrahim. Medhat was the Vice President at Citibank’s International Finance division for Latin America.

Together they developed contacts in the restaurant and club scene which would pay off later. At this time one of the most sort after-food establishments was Brian McNally’s in Soho, located at 150 Wooster Street. I turned out that McNally’s went out of business, and this triggered Anastasi and Medhat to seize the opportunity to secure the lease. They in turn opened their first restaurant and named it Casa La Femme.

Casa La Femme first opened in 1989 at 150 Wooster Street, a neighborhood that was rapidly transforming into a hub for art, fashion, and upscale dining. The restaurant quickly gained a reputation for its unique Egyptian-inspired ambiance and immersive dining experience. However, as Soho evolved and commercial rents skyrocketed, it became increasingly challenging to maintain the intimate and exclusive atmosphere that defined Casa La Femme.

“In search of a location that offered more space, a historic setting, and the ability to create a truly luxurious and immersive experience, we moved to 140 Charles Street in the West Village. This new location provided a larger and more opulent setting, allowing us to expand our vision while maintaining the authenticity and charm that made Casa La Femme special. The move also placed us in one of Manhattan’s most exclusive and culturally rich neighborhoods, ensuring that our guests could continue to enjoy an unparalleled dining experience in a timeless and elegant setting, “said Anastasi.

The layout for Casa La Femme originated from Anastasi’s deep appreciation for immersive dinning experiences along with Medhat’s Egyptian heritage.  It was Medhat’s background that infused his rich culture that became the building blocks to how the location would be designed. They both wanted to create something more than just a place for patrons to eat but to be transported to a different place of beauty and history. It would go without saying that Anastasi’s Greek origins also played a role. Such items like humus, kebab, and feta which are also part of the Greek palate are part of the menu. Being raised in the Greek culture food is meant to be an experience and shared and when you combine it with a rich, warm and theatrical backdrop it’s a win – win. This fusion of Egyptian opulence with Mediterranean hospitality has been key to making Casa La Femme a truly unique and unforgettable destination.

As we indulged ourselves in with the mezza and the Greek salad (which was outstanding) the main course arrived I opted for the kebab chicken platter, and she had the grilled Atlantic salmon. The kebab was soft and tasty and reminded me of the kind my grandfather used to make in Greece. I had to taste the salmon which was prepared with Egyptian seasoning melted in your mouth. Smooth and delicate, even though it was a bit spicy, which we did not expect, it still was worth every bite. We topped it all off with my favorite Greek desert baklava. It was made slightly differently than how my mother used to make it, but it hit the spot for us both. If you asked Anastasi which dish to choose, he would choose Lamb Chops.

“I would recommend the Lamb Chops. This dish perfectly embodies the essence of Casa La Femme—rich in flavor, deeply rooted in tradition, and crafted with the finest ingredients. Our lamb chops are marinated with a secret blend of Egyptian herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection, delivering a tender, juicy bite with layers of aromatic depth.

What makes this dish truly special is the balance of bold flavors and the way it reflects the authenticity of Middle Eastern cuisine while appealing to a refined palate. Paired with our house-made sides and a glass of fine wine, it’s a dining experience that captures the heart of what Casa La Femme is all about—luxury, tradition, and unforgettable flavors.”

Anastasi is always brain-storming ideas of how to enhance the immersive dining experience. One of his ideas was to host Mediterranean Theme Nights which would feature curated evenings that celebrate the rich culinary, musical, and cultural traditions of various Mediterranean countries. This would include the sultry aura of Spain, the delightful flavors of Italy to the succulent tastes of Greece to the intoxicating spices of Morocco. It would be like taking a journey from one breathtaking experience to another. On another note, he would also like to improve the ambiance of Casa La Femme with enhanced lighting, and subtle projection art, and sensory elements that make guests feel like they’ve stepped into a hidden oasis.

Anastasi and Medhat have considered creating a franchise based on Casa La Femme. For this to take root he would have to be “hands-on” to curate each location to maintain the exclusivity and authenticity that define the brand. The whole idea is to bring unique experiences to new cities so guests can immerse themselves in a dining journey like no other. It is a monumental move which would require perfect hospitality teams and strategic locations. Based on my own experience I have no doubt Casa La Femme would be a success no matter where Anastasi or Medhat decide to branch out. For anyone looking for a captivating dining experience Casa La Femme is the ideal place that will offer more than just a great meal.

https://www.casalafemmeny.com/