Osteria 20, Hawthorn

Osteria 20 - Seafood Risotto Al Forno baked in claypot w mussels, clams, cuttlefish, white wine, saffron ($29)

13 Nov Osteria 20, Hawthorn

Posted at 12:50h in Food, Hawthorn, Italian, Osteria 20, Restaurants by A Chronicle of Gastronomy 0 Comments

Eight One Eight didn’t seem to last very long on this competitive strip of Glenferrie Road, but it’s been more of a metamorphosis than a complete change – the owners revised the concept of the restaurant and changed its name to suit. Osteria 20 is quite a large restaurant, separated into a number of sections that offer different types of seating arrangements. The design of the restaurant allows it to cater to all sorts of needs, making it quite a flexible venue.

The new menu has been designed to be more family friendly, and it’s divided into small and large plates, pasta, pizza, sides and desserts.

Osteria 20 - South Australian Octopus w green beans, red wine, fried potatoes ($18) — South Australian Octopus w green beans, red wine, fried potatoes ($18)

Osteria 20 - Fried Eggplant w feta, broad beans, spring onions ($12) — Fried Eggplant w feta, broad beans, spring onions ($12)

South Australian Octopus comes with pickled vegetables, salty samphire, red wine, crispy fried potatoes, fresh radish, and zoodles. The octopus is salty when eaten by itself, but when the dish is eaten as a whole, the flavours are balanced. Fried Eggplant is thinly sliced and crumbed, sprinkled with salty and tangy crumbled feta, broad beans, and spring onions.

Osteria 20 - Wild Boar Chestnut Pappardelle w red wine, rosemary ($28) — Wild Boar Chestnut Pappardelle w red wine, rosemary ($28)

Wild Boar Chestnut Pappardelle comes with minced boar meat rather than a ragu, and the pappardelle is almost fettucine-like in thickness. The pasta itself is home made and done well – it’s smooth and cooked to al dente.

The Seafood Risotto Al Forno is very good. The rice is baked in claypot together with a huge heap of mussels, clams and cuttlefish. There’s a little crust in places from being cooked in the oven.

Osteria 20 - Hot Chocolate Fondant w banana fudge, bourbon biscuits, smoked chocolate sauce ($18)

Hot Chocolate Fondant comes with a multitude of accompaniments, making it one of the more interesting fondants I’ve tried. A dollop of banana fudge is found on top of the crumbly bourbon biscuit, and in a jug is a smoked chocolate sauce that’s slightly more bitter than that found inside the perfectly oozy fondant. This all sounds quite rich, so thankfully there’s some ice cream to serve as a refreshing counterpoint.

Osteria 20 - Cannoli w roasted strawberries, mascarpone and berry crumble ($16) — Cannoli w roasted strawberries, mascarpone and berry crumble ($16)

For something lighter, there’s Cannoli with roasted strawberries and berry crumble. Thick and crispy pastry is filled with very mild flavoured mascarpone.

There are a number of interesting-sounding dishes on Osteria 20’s menu. I may have to return for the tiramisu.