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. We approached the door and met Aunt Fairy Bird, a small lady who had lived there for almost 50 years. Her house, situated in downtown Carmel, was coveted by nearby land owners. When she died at nearly 90, we learned that she had once been the cook for Charlie Chaplin. 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.

Inspired by childhood memories of his grandparents' Belgian farm house, Walter Georis designed and remodeled Aunt Fairy Bird's 5th Avenue home now known as Casanova. Great attention was given to every detail to maintain the warmth of the quaint residence. The original floor plan of the old house was kept. The "Al Fresco" dining area was added and a world class Wine Cellar was created by hand-excavating 14 feet under the restaurant. In 1996 Casanova added the Milagro and Harvest rooms. Many local and European craftsmen contributed to the project. The "Casanova Style" continues to influence the design of other local buildings.