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| - Besides the long communal table that takes up a third of the dining room, the remaining tables (2 or 4 tops) are quite small in this rustically decorated and atmospheric room. After having been sat at a rather awkwardly placed table right beyond the foyer, we wondered aloud whether a larger table might be more suitable, but weren't moved until after drinks (a half litre of Camestri, served from a cute little painted pitcher) were served and our food arrived.
It would have been nice to have been sat at the banquette right off the bat and not have needed to follow the train of servers (carrying our many antipasti) while salivating from excitement like hungry puppies.
The pleasingly multi-coursed pesce dinner for two - $50/person, and included ever so lightly battered and fried dainty little calamari arms, sweet and perfectly thinly sliced octopus carpaccio, fresh and meaty tuna tartar, cod fritters which could have used a nice cream sauce or dip, an entire seabream baked in salt that was a bit too salty in some parts, shellfish ravioli that was a bit dry on the edges, but plump and juicy on the inside, roasted fingerling potatoes, a huge tossed salad, and vodka sorbet ) was a fantastic way to sample Osteria's large Southern Italian menu. The flavours were simple but perfectly balanced with the abundance of lemon wedges supplied.
The service was excellent throughout the evening and despite the hussle and bustle of a Friday night, the flow was considerably constant. I look forward to returning to try some of the other dishes a la carte and saving room for dessert.
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