Ristorante Casanova Brings The Fine Dining Experience To Downtown Restaurant Week

Downtown El Paso is booming with new restaurants, new experiences, and a new sense of life. I know I usually don't choose a fine dining experience first, but occasionally I like to indulge in something that feels a little more high class. Today, that was Ristorante Casanova, and since Downtown Restaurant Week is coming up, I wanted to share this elevated dining experience for the people like me! You! You might not be the fine dining type but I don't want you to be scared away from what could be an amazing experience, so we are gonna walk through this meal together! Take my hand and let us embark on this food journey.

Walking into Ristorante Casanova, nestled inside the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown El Paso (600 El Paso St, El Paso, TX 79901), I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Hotel restaurants often carry a reputation of being impersonal, more of an amenity than a true dining destination. But as I sat down for the Downtown Restaurant Week prix fixe menu (which, for anyone unfamiliar, is just a fancy way of saying "a set menu at a fixed price, so you don’t have to stress about surprise charges for fancy extras"), it quickly became clear that Casanova is something different, a fine dining experience infused with El Paso’s heart, soul, and flavors. And thankfully, nobody looked at me weird when I pulled out my phone to take way too many pictures of my food. Plus the waiter was not only incredibly knowledgeable about Italian cuisine, but he was also super chill.

For a limited time, Ristorante Casanova is offering an exclusive $55 prix fixe menu as part of Downtown Restaurant Week (April 3-14). The special menu includes:

The meal started with the Caprese Salad, and I have to admit, I had never seen a Caprese presented quite like this before. Deconstructed, elegant, and minimalistic, it seemed almost too simple. My brain briefly short-circuited as I tried to figure out how to eat it properly, but once I started combining elements: the marinated tomato, the creamy burrata, the punch of capers, and the aromatic basil...I realized this wasn’t just a salad. It was a choose-your-own-adventure of flavors. Our super chill waiter even taught the table how to properly pronounce 'Caprese' and it was harder than it seems. And unlike some fancy salads I’ve had, this one didn’t leave me questioning my life choices. (Also EVOO stands for Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and I felt stupid for asking so now you don't have to.)

Then came the Short Rib Pappardelle, and I mean it when I say this was a standout. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. So much so that I turned to Adrian Broaddus from 600 ESPN, who was dining with me, and said, “Oh, that pasta is al dente af.” (I regret nothing.) The short rib was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the sauce vibrant yet never overpowering, and the mushrooms were perfect because I love mushrooms. This was the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-bite, stare off into the distance, and question why all pasta isn’t made this way.

For dessert, the Tiramisu Ice Cream was an absolute delight. Silky, creamy, and rich, it had the essence of a classic tiramisu but with the added texture of crunchy nuts woven into the ice cream. It struck the perfect balance, light enough to end the meal on a sweet note but indulgent enough to make me briefly consider licking the bowl. (I didn’t. But I thought about it.) Luckily, Adrian gave up sweets for lent so instead of licking bowls I just had his serving.

What truly sets Ristorante Casanova apart is its commitment to sourcing ingredients locally. Every bite I took carried the essence of El Paso, something the restaurant’s new owners are especially proud of. They’re striving to break the mold of the typical hotel restaurant, and after this meal, I can confidently say they’re succeeding. It’s not just “good for a hotel restaurant” it’s just good, period.

Downtown Restaurant Week is a celebration of local flavors, giving diners a chance to experience gourmet dishes at unbeatable prices while supporting the city’s vibrant food scene. Whether you’re a devoted foodie or someone who only treats themselves to fine dining on special occasions, Ristorante Casanova’s special menu is an experience worth indulging in.

For more details on Downtown Restaurant Week and a full list of participating restaurants, visit downtownelpaso.com.