What to order at Osteria Mozza?

[blackie135]

I know there has been a lot of debate on the board re: whether Osteria Mozza is any good, but for those who find it tolerable - what are the winners on the menu? I have a business dinner there tonight and would like to go with something yummy, though probably on the lighter side. Any thoughts would very much appreciated.

Thanks!

[bruinike]

I have been three times and the orecchiete pasta with sausage was the only repeat all three times (it helps that we had it the first visit). Really enjoyed the octopus, rosemary cakes with olive oil gelato and if they have it but I only have seen it once and that was the first week they opened, the long-cooked broccoli as one of the side dishes - I never knew broccoli could melt in your mouth like that. You could spread it like butter on bread!

[viapapale]

I spend much time in Rome and find it quite difficult to find an incredible bucatini all'amatriciana, have you had it at Mozza we are going tomorrow night, I'll check to see if they have the broccoli that you loved is on the menu for a side dish. Any other suggestions.

[omotosando]

Went recently and my favorite was the Burricotta with radicchio, spiced walnuts, honey & fried rosemary from the Mozzarella Bar. I would go back just to eat that. Didn't love the Red Endive, Fennel and Parmigiano with anchovy date dressing - not terrible and good Parmigiano, but I found the dressing too sweet (obviously from the dates).

Also really liked the Torta della Nonna for dessert, which we ordered at the suggestion of our waiter. It was quite large - definitely split it unless you have a huge appetite.

Finally, I adore the Valentino Brut Zero sparkling wine by the glass - better than a lot of champagnes I have tried recently. In fact, I think I could live the rest of my life on a daily glass of it, together with the Burricotta.

I see people on this Board complaining about the service, but our service was great. I think the place is so popular because there is always such an energetic happy vibe there - perhaps not the best for those who like it more staid, but definitely the right vibe for the right kind of person.

[noahbites]

I'm going tonight, and am a huge sucker, for reasons I can't totally comprehend, for orecchiette. Anybody have their orecchiette with sausage and chard?

[sloanedone]

I get it every time. It's awesome, but the oreccheiette in Vegas at B and B (I think there's rabe instead) is better.

[noahbites]

Yeah, I enjoyed it a lot, though after a few cheese courses, it was a tad heavy.

[J.L.]

Stick to pastas ("Primi"), avoid the "Secondi", and order the butterscotch budino for dessert.

[Servorg]

Are you sure they offer the butterscotch budino as a regular item, J.L.? It's still not listed on their menu.

[J.L.]

Hhmmm... It has been a while since I last went to OM. But I did recall ordering it at OM, not PM. In any case, a great dessert.

[AquaW]

I believe the butterscotch budino's at Pizzeria Mozza . . . nonetheless, the Osteria still has a nice dessert list. I, too, vote for the olive oil cakes -- but the sweets menu changes up a bit so order whatever you fancy.

~H.C.
http://la-oc-foodie.blogspot.com

[ny2la]

The budino is definitely available only at the pizzeria these days. Last time I was at the osteria, I asked if they could bring it over from next door after seeing it wasn't on the menu. They refused.

[conor610]

I love the octopus. It's a meaty hunk of charred seafood goodness. And the bucatini all'amatriciana was lifechanging the first time I had it, though merely very good the second.

[Steve2 in LA]

Second that vote on the octopus. Really terrific combination of tastes, textures and color. Trick is finding THE wine to accompany it.

And of course, anything from the Mozzarella Bar if Nancy SIlverton is in attendance. Culinary speaking, that woman rocks my world!

[foodiemahoodie]

I third that octopus. I have it everytime I go. And what wine? Hm...gotta point there.

[omotosando]

How about the Valentino Brut Zero sparkling wine? I can't get enough of that stuff. And since it is only offered by the glass, you could have it with the appetizer and move on to a bottle of something else with the pasta and/or main course.

P.S. It is a little pricey at $22 a glass, unfortunately.

[Steve2 in LA]

Pretty good idea although I think I'd look for an Albarino if they served Spanish wines. Don't know my Italian wines well enough to find one that is the equivalent. Anybody?

That said, when we visited, we spoke to the sommelier about our preferences, budget and dishes. His recommendation was terrific, within the budget and paired very well with the disparate dishes of 4 diners. I'd go with him again.

[orythedog]

I went October of last year. It was good but expensive. My review is below:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/545852

[ericat]

We went a couple weeks ago for the third time; I like the pastas the best; my favorite is the orechiette with sausage. The pasta verde with the lamb ragu and the tortolloni with dandelion greens was also quite good. The burrata with bacon and escarole was really good. All the mozzerella dishes are fairly small as are the pastas so they would make for a nice light meal. I was disappointed in the secondis: the orata, rabbit and veal. All were way too salty. Like with babbo and lupa in nyc, I find the pastas and appetizers to be way better than the secondis; usually I don't even order the secondis but I decided to give it another try on the last visit, unfortunately.

[cinzia]

The menu has a lot of options - I would say go w/ what speaks to you ingredient-wise. The pastas are indeed 'primi' courses and, as such, not ginormous family-style servings. The nice thing being that you could have something that is otherwise rich (and wonderful), like the gnudi and not be overwhelmed. Just make sure to order the rosemary cakes w/ olive oil ice cream and rosemary brittle for dessert - really lovely!

[sparkareno]

I love the ravioli with ricotta cheese & egg.

[Southbay99]

I have only been to Mozza once so I don't pretend to be an expert on its menu, but I too loved the ravioli with ricotta cheese and egg.

[New Trial]

Not on the lighter side but my favorites have included the guinea hen, the quail, the beef brasato and the leg of lamb. All the pastas I have tried have been great as well. The monkfish alla diavolo looked good but I have not had it.