On December 21, 2024, Rob DiSilvio opened the second location of his popular Oaxacan-influenced eatery Casa Masa at The Landings. While the new location has the same core menu and exotic proteins that made the original Bee Ridge location a success, the new Casa Masa has an identity all its own—one that is still evolving. “In The Landings, most of the other restaurants are bright and colorful,” says DiSilvio. “Our new location is black inside with low lighting and it has more of an edgy vibe.” This vibe is in keeping with the expanded menu offerings at the new location.

THE ENMOLADAS AT CASA MASA ARE SIMILAR TO ENCHILADAS, BUT THEY'RE TOPPED WITH A HOUSEMADE MOLE SAUCE.

Casa Masa at The Landings has a liquor license and offers a full craft bar including a half-dozen creative takes on the margarita. For springtime, you can’t go wrong with the tart and tangy Golden Hour, which is made with Cazcabel Blanco tequila, triple sec, passionfruit, agave and fresh lime juice and rimmed with red salt. DiSilvio has also gone beyond tacos, offering elevated small plates with premium ingredients like pork belly and seared U10 scallops. “I came in with the vision of doing small plates thinking they’re more fun, but with this location being sit-down instead of fast-casual I think people were expecting entrees,” DiSilvio says.  Thankfully the small plates remain because they are fun. But DiSilvio is more concerned about delivering what his patrons want than he is about staying married to his original concept, so he has expanded the menu to include some more substantial fare like tlayudas (also known as Oaxacan pizzas) and enmoladas (similar to enchiladas, but topped with housemade mole sauce instead of red or green enchilada sauce.) The enmoladas de huitlacoche are filled with Oaxacan truffles, corn and squash blossoms and topped with mole blanco (white mole sauce). Pomegranate seeds add brightness and contrast to the earthier components of the dish. The new additions have been very well-received, proof that DiSilvio was right to listen to his instincts and expand on his original vision.  “I feel like if this is what the people want, this what I want them to have, you know what I mean?”