Castells on Avenue U was a mind-twister for me. I grew up in that neighborhood, and let me tell you—there was never anything even close to this place back then. It used to be mom-and-pop shops, perhaps a small Italian spot, or a Russian restaurant with a touch of flair. But nothing like this. Walking into Castell feels like you’ve been transported straight to Miami. The décor is insane, the lighting sets the mood, and the hospitality instantly shifts your energy. It’s three stories tall and somehow feels even bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside.
And here’s the kicker—it’s kosher dairy, which means no meat, only fish. I’ve had the kosher dairy rules explained to me a hundred times, and I still don’t fully get why fish counts, but whatever. First thing I did was start with a solid briny olive plate. From there, what really impressed me was their pizza program. They’ve got a legit pizza oven in the back, and it shows.
Kosher Italian Meal
We kicked things off with appetizers and their white pie topped with thin slices of zucchini. The dough was on point—crispy, with just the right amount of flexibility to make it perfect. Not quite Luna quality, but close enough that Portnoy would nod his head. Alongside that, we tried tuna crudo and an artichoke salad (yes, I actually ordered a salad), and then moved on to the stars of the show.
The Entress
The spicy rigatoni. Everyone has a version, but theirs was clean, flavorful, and not drowning in grease—just the right amount of heat. We also tried the eggplant parm, which was good, though not a standout.
Dessert, though—that’s where things really popped. The pistachio olive oil gelato was next-level. Rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced. I’m still thinking about it. We also had cheesecake and a Nutella pizza. The cheesecake was solid, but the Nutella pizza was way too sweet for me. However, that gelato was a delight. Worth the trip alone.
The service tied it all together. The manager came by with old-school hospitality vibes—the type of guy who makes you feel like he’s known you your whole life. Not pushy, not fake, just genuine. He clearly lives and breathes hospitality.
Overall, Castells is worth the 20–30% premium. For a kosher spot, it’s damn good. Next time, I’d probably try the red pie instead of the white, to keep exploring. But the standouts—the spicy rigatoni and that pistachio gelato—make it a no-brainer to go back.
banana juice
It’s kind of like banana juice. Hear me out—nobody really expects banana juice to be a thing. You walk into a store and you’re used to orange, apple, maybe grape. Then suddenly you see banana juice and your first thought is, “Why? Who even asked for this?” But then you try it and it’s actually really good in a weird, unexpected way. That’s how Castells felt. Growing up in that neighborhood, I never would’ve thought something so polished, Miami-level, and kosher-dairy would land there. Yet here it is, like banana juice—different, surprising, and way better than you’d expect.
Look, I’m just a Fat Guy from Brooklyn giving you my two cents. If you want more Top 10s—steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it—click the words and keep going.