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MELBOURNE | Ostēr is a Northern Italian restaurant in Richmond by owners Osvaldo Tognella (front of house) and chef Nicola Romano, who both hail from Lombardy in Italy. I was recently invited to take a look.
The venue was designed by Romano’s mother, a designer who flew over from Italy to help the boys put everything together. Indeed, much of the interiors were done by friends and family. The result is a space that’s modern, yet welcoming.
The food here rustic Italian at its heart, but Romano isn’t afraid to put a contemporary touch on things. I highly recommend the tender Paroo kangaroo striploin with a punchy garlic puree and cherry jus. The kangaroo is cooked perfectly, and is served like a piece of steak. A great way to introduce yourself to the meat if you’ve not tried it before.
Other delicious dishes include the signature Casoncelli (a type of Lombardy pasta), served with 48 months aged grana and sage. It’s a light, cheesy plate of deliciousness. Also try the Mooloolaba swordfish carpaccio with salsa tonnata. It’s a twist on a Northern Italian dish that usually involves veal and has a wonderful flavour and texture.
For dessert, you can’t go past the tiramisù with frangipan essence. When Osvaldo boldly claims that the tiramisù at Oster is “the best in the Southern Hemisphere” there’s really no other option. I can tell you that it’s very, very good. Moist, dense, and creamy.
For drinks, I recommend you put your selection in the hands of Osvaldo. The wine list is full of interesting local wines using Italian and other varietals that pair well with the food.
Ostēr
76-78 Bridge Road
Richmond
Victoria 3121
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9428 0749
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Tue – Thu: 11:30am to 9:30pm
Fri – Sat: 11:30am to 10:00pm