text: I usually try to summarize an experience with a concise review, but La Casa was such a mixed bag I'm just going to have to relate my experience and let readers draw conclusions on their own.\n\nThe first time I tried to go here, I called ahead to make sure they weren't full.  I was told that if I got there in the next half hour to an hour, they'd be able to seat my party no problem.  20 minutes later, we walked in and were told they only had room at the bar (the place was pretty empty, so I got the message: make a reservation and don't trust anyone's estimation).\n\nThe next time I went, with a confirmed reservation, the service was good.  My crab-stuffed mushroom tapas dish was visually appealing and full of great ingredients...except for the crab itself.  I don't know the cause, but it was bland and barely tasted like crab.  Everything else on the plate, especially the sauce, was delicious, so it averaged out to not bad, despite my disappointment with the starring ingredient.\n\nThe paella took forever to come out, but it came out hot (meaning the kitchen was slow, not the server).  Most of it was delicious.  The chorizo pieces just tasted like a hot dog (a good hot dog, mind you, but more hot dog than spicy Mediterranean sausage for sure).  The rice was a little undercooked.  But everything else was good or better (much of it great).\n\nI wasn't drinking that night, but had I been, I would have been disappointed.  They were out of more than a few selections, preventing the creation of entire sections of the drinks menu (example: no mojitos that night).  Apparently such alcohol shortages are a common occurrence.\n\nI'd say this place has a lot of potential, because though many things were sub-par, they're almost all easily fixed.  Knowing what to expect, I'd definitely consider returning (though it wouldn't usually be my first choice).