Casa Mia - Identity and Brand - Sketchbook idea generation

I have started looking at re-branding Casa Mia, moving my focus away from the hand rendered type a day project, which is well underway and nearly finished.

I want to create something which reflects Casa Mia's passion with its food (thus reflected in descriptive words), which is recognisable as an italian restaurant, avoiding cliche design factors which do this. I want to create a modern, clean cut identity which brings Casa Mia into the 21st century.