The story
Tucked away on Via Pietro Bembo in Cassino, The Place to Be is a lively, walk-in-friendly spot where owner Maurizio’s personality powers the kitchen. The restaurant’s seafood-focused, Spanish-tinged menu rises above typical fusion fare—Braciamiancora called the paella de marisco “the photonic PAELLA that the Spanish will copy from us (never say never),” a seafood paella given a personal twist in an open-kitchen setting. An acciuga del Cantabrico con bruschettina rounds out the small but sharp lineup.
This is a hidden gem that feels more like a local’s living room than a formal dining room. With a 4.5-star rating and a vibe that’s both fun and unpretentious, it’s exactly the kind of place where a single dish can redefine expectations. Maurizio’s confidence—and his paella—make a compelling case for Cassino as an unlikely destination for Spanish-inspired seafood.
Synthesised by AI from every creator’s review.
Most-loved dishes
AI summary of what 2 dish mentions say about the food
The Paella de marisco earns unanimous praise for its depth of flavor, while the overall vibe is one of unpretentious warmth and satisfying comfort.
“This paella is absolutely incredible. The owner Maurizio makes it with his own twist — he uses carnaroli rice instead of bomba, which gives a slightly different texture but still absorbs the broth beautifully. The socarrat on the bottom is perfectly crunchy, just like the crispy bit on lasagna that everyone fights over. The seafood is top quality: the prawns are grilled first, the squid is tender, and the octopus is cooked sous-vide so it releases all its collagen. The bisque made from the shells adds an intense depth of flavour. Honestly, this dish deserves a 'mortacci quanto è buona' — it's that good. A complete meal with vegetables, fish, rice, and spices, all in one pan. I'd come back just for this.”
What creators say
1 creator has covered The Place to Be. Most active: Braciamiancora
- Loved
Braciamiancora
The photonic PAELLA that the Spanish will copy from us (never say never) · @ 1:35
A fun, lively spot in Cassino where owner Maurizio puts his personality into every dish, especially his incredible seafood paella made with a personal twist.
Dishes mentioned
Paella de Marisco
This paella is absolutely incredible. The owner Maurizio makes it with his own twist — he uses carnaroli rice instead of bomba, which gives a slightly different texture but still absorbs the broth beautifully. The socarrat on the bottom is perfectly crunchy, just like the crispy bit on lasagna that everyone fights over. The seafood is top quality: the prawns are grilled first, the squid is tender, and the octopus is cooked sous-vide so it releases all its collagen. The bisque made from the shells adds an intense depth of flavour. Honestly, this dish deserves a 'mortacci quanto è buona' — it's that good. A complete meal with vegetables, fish, rice, and spices, all in one pan. I'd come back just for this.
Acciuga del Cantabrico con Bruschettina
This Cantabrian anchovy on a little bruschetta is on another level. Just the anchovy alone deserves a 'mortacci quanto è buona' — it's incredibly good. Simple but perfect.