Italian dining, simplified, at Osteria in Oklahoma City.

I admit I was curious about the name: Osteria. When I looked at the website for this restaurant, it stated that Osteria translates to a “simple restaurant” in Italian. I love Italian food, so this immediately piqued my interest. 

Chef Jonathon Stranger opened the restaurant in 2018. It is tucked in the Nichols Hills area of Oklahoma City. The inside has an open feel with black and gray decor. A wood-fired pizza oven in the corner awaits an order for one of the Italian-inspired pizzas. During the late afternoon hours when we happened to be there, lots of natural light streamed through the large glass windows. We were greeted warmly and shown to our table. 

Our waitress, Rachel, was friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful. After looking over the menu, we told her our desired orders and asked for recommendations for wine pairings. She was right on target. She quickly offered the Monti Garbi Ripasso Valpolicella to pair with my pasta choice and the Scaia Paradiso Super Venetian for my husband’s selection. They both ended up being the perfect complements for our meals.

I chose lobster and butternut squash lasagna. The handmade pasta, made fresh daily, was perfection; it was thin, but not soft or overdone. Tender pieces of lobster mixed with the butternut squash purée and ricotta created a distinctive flavor. I may not want lasagna any other way from now on! The lasagna was served with a salad of arugula and sheerly grated cheese tossed with a very smooth olive oil. 

The sausage casarecce sounded totally intriguing. It was my husband’s choice, and I was anxious to sample it. This pasta dish featured wild boar sausage and arrabiata with fresh oregano. Our waitress indicated it was a spicier dish, but we found it was not over the top. I was curious about the “wild boar” description. Rachel told us it is wild boar from the Hill Country of Texas. These feral hogs have become quite a nuisance. They are now being hunted to control the rising population, and the meat is sold to restaurants. The meat is darker than pork, with a richer flavor. We felt that it stood up well with the spicy arrabiata. 

We could not end our dinner without a piece of dark chocolate tiramisu. Tiramisu is a favorite of mine, and once I saw “dark chocolate,” I knew it would be a winner. And it was. Our waitress suggested a port to sip along with it — great recommendation. 

I can see why this restaurant is developing a good following in Oklahoma City. The menu is diverse enough to offer something for every taste, including salads, pizzas, pasta, and other selected main courses. According to the website, the chef constantly offers new, seasonal dishes. 

Not to be missed are their dinner events held on the last Thursday of every month. The chef creates various courses and pairs the perfect wine to complement them. And if you aren’t a wine fan, they will pair the perfect craft cocktail for the dish.  

If you have a child 12 years old or younger, you’ll want to dine here on Mondays! Why? Kids eat free! Yep, free!

They are also active in the Oklahoma City community, participating in the Annual Restaurant Week for the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank.

Osteria is a fabulous way to enjoy a taste of Italy right here in Oklahoma City.