H i s t o r y

Aunt Fairy Bird's House ~

SOME YEARS AGO… we were walking along 5th street between San Carlos and Mission, when we suddenly heard a gentle "Hello". The sound came from behind a screen door in a tiny house, the worse for wear, just past the Shell station. We approached the door (which never opened) and met Aunt Fairy Bird, a small black lady who had lived there for over 50 years.

Her house, situated as it was in downtown Carmel, was in truth, a shack, but it was coveted by nearby landowners. She lived there alone for many years. When she died at nearly 90, not long after our only encounter, her house and a lot were the object of spirited bidding in an estate sale. We learned that she had once been the cook for Charlie Chaplin, that her husband Tom had been a popular handyman in Carmel, and that she was a handy-lady for several Carmel Families.

While cleaning up her house, her executor found a great many Social Security checks that she had saved, hidden in the pages of newspapers and magazines. With him we helped open her safety deposit box and found a gold watch and two $2 bills. Aunt Fairy Bird's place is now occupied by Casanova Restaurant. Approach it with some reverence.
-The Carmel Pine Cone

The Building of Casanova ~

IN 1977 AUNT FAIRY BIRD'S HOUSE which had fallen into disrepair, was remodeled. The design was a blend of our family's old farm house in Belgium, with elements of the warmth and richness of our childhood memories, and the character of the old house itself.

Great attention was given to every detail to maintain the spirit of the old residence. We kept the original floor plan and added the outdoor fountain patio. In 1987, we excavated 14 feet under the restaurant to build a cellar for our world class wine selection. In 1997 Casanova expanded by purchasing the adjacent property and adding two more dining rooms, a large second kitchen and a small covered garden patio. In 2003, we built a room to house "Van Gogh's Table", the table at which Vincent Van Gogh ate his daily meals while boarding at the Auberge Ravoux in Auvers Sur-Oise, France.

Casanova is constantly evolving and inspiring those that visit us. The 'Casanova style" has become well known to numerous designers and architects and it has echoed throughout numerous homes and commercial buildings in Carmel and beyond.

Carmelites, distinguished guests, celebrities and world travelers have become regular visitors to this landmark.