www.losteria.com.au
03 9489 6302
My friend and I always eat pizza. We can’t help it. We try to be adventurous and try other places but they always seem to end up at traditional Italian pizza restaurants. So when I got a voucher for a three course meal at L’Osteria, which claimed to have the best pizza in Melbourne, I naturally invited her.
Walking down Nicholson Street after work we built up our appetites and looked forward to our meal. Arriving at the restaurant it was empty. We were early, it will fill up, I told myself. It also smelt unpleasantly like cleaning chemicals. At least it is clean, I assured (hoping the smell of bleach would soon be over taken by garlic and onions.
The inside of L’Osteria is otherwise pleasant with dark red paint and shiny wood, like a little inn as the name suggests. The kitchen is open for you to peer in at the back.
We began with finely sliced eggplant, wrapping artichokes with cheese and truffle oil. Served with salad and balsamic, these tasty bites were sensational.
Next up was the fritto misto. Done like tempura, this plate had vegetables battered with beer and cheese. They were delectable and could only have been improved by a tasty sauce to accompany.
For main we shared the gorgonzola and pear gnocchi and a margherita pizza with olives. The gnocchi was not soft enough but the sauce was delicious with the combination of strong, creamy cheese and ripe pear.
The pizza base was very thin but the flavours were enjoyable and authentic. The olives were overly salty.
Wine was a Taylor Ferguson Sangiovese, it was tannic, interesting and full-bodied.
Desserts were not as exciting as the savouries. The flavours of my vanilla, chocolate and berry gelato were done well but the texture was icy.
The tiramisu, which my friend ordered, was fluffy but not as good as the recipe I learned in Florence. Perhaps it is harsh to compare it to that of the dessert’s origin.
It was a lovely, authentic meal and we now have one more delicious pizza place to add to our growing list of favourites.
