Italian meals generally consist of four courses served in a specific order starting with L'antipasto, which literally means "before the meal". Gli antipasti consist of a variety of appetizers that can range from soups and salads to bruschetta and crostini to a number of other tasty items to wet the appetite. Pictured are a few favorites at L'Osteria. From the top, Panzanella, a traditional summer bread salad originating in the central regions of Italy. Like most dishes, panzanella varies from region to region, village to village. The panzanella at L'Osteria consists of day old bread, mixed vegetables, basil oil, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper and is served with black celery sorbet.
Next is the tortino cavolfiore or cauliflower tart, followed by braised baby octopus with capers,pine nuts,olives and tomatoes. Insalata Federico is the next pic, and it is one of the best summer salads I've had. Mixed greens, with mixed fruit, almonds, pine nuts, fresh mint, apple cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Really simple and really delicious. I probably eat two to three a week.
Rounding out the pics is one of the top sellers in the antipasta category and it is also pictured with the cauliflower tart. Named "Caramella", because it resembles a caramel, or a candy, it is local caciotta cheese(artisinal semi-soft farm house cheese native to Tuscany and Umbria) wrapped in puffed pastry, then baked and served with parmesan cheese fondue and black truffle sauce. The other top seller for the anti is the previously pictured eggplant parm. Buon Appetito!!!!
