Osti

I’ve walked by Osti a few times and never had the urge to walk in. This time I stopped and read the menu to discover a very simple yet complete Italian menu. We placed an order for a well rounded sampling of their offerings. Starting with the ultra fresh Coffin Bay oysters, followed by grilled Saganaki, the night was off to a great start. I had the gnocchi with duck ragu. I love gnocchi and have ordered it in many restaurants only to be disappointed, not at Osti. Let me tell you, Osti’s gnocchi is the lightest, airy, softest gnocchi I have place in my mouth and to top it off the taste was excellent with a hint of potato. The duck ragu was a perfect compliment, not over powering the delicate gnocchi puffs. I would recommend Osti to my closest friends and family. I have been here twice and had excellent meals both times. The staff are friendly, attentive and professional.

You know how sometimes you head out for dinner with a plan, then end up there and say to yourselves, «Eh, maybe not»? Then you start walking around with no clue as to where to go and what you want to eat? Then you see a restaurant that looks to have potential, but you walk on by? Then you stop and think, «You know what? Let’s give it a try»? So you head on back, and find yourselves not only having a fantastic dining experience, but also one of the very best? Happily, that was the scenario for us at Osti! Osti is a near flawless diamond on what is the rough-​n-​tumble side of Chapel Street (a half block north of High). With so many restaurants competing for your attention in Prahran (and down-​the-​street Windsor), no doubt it can be a bit tough for a restaurant to get a foothold in this town. At a mere year old, the caliber of food that came out of the kitchen was no less than exemplary!
The welcoming wait staff made us feel like family. We started with a couple of dry, dirty vodka martinis ($ 18 ea.), paired with a half-​dozen Coffin Bay oysters ($ 16, or $ 4 ea.) that (I think) are my favorite oysters: clean, plump and meaty, with a super clear brine. Next course was the grilled Saganaki (a Greek dish of cheese) with a quarter slice of lemon ($ 10). The Saganaki was delicately grilled with just the right amount of all-​over caramelization, but especially so around the edges. It was a perfect start.
For a main, I went with the risotto with Moreton Bay bug (a large crayfish) in a spicy tomato broth ($ 24). (My buddy ordered the house-​made gnocchi with duck «ragu» ($ 22).) My risotto was out-​of-​this-​world! Super rich with flavor, and cooked to perfection. It already had some chunks of shrimp incorporated into the dish, and the bug laid atop (served halved, in-​shell) was juicy and tender. I’m thinking this was close to my all-​time favorite risotto, that’s how good it was. (I had a taste of my buddy’s gnocchi and duck ragu — he was raving about it! — and it was, I think, the softest gnocchi I’ve ever had. Like eating little airy pillows of pasta. The ragu was super rich and intensely flavorful.) [As an accompaniment to our mains, we splurged on a bottle of only slightly fruity and surprisingly dry Black Estate Riesling ($ 55). It was a spot-​on pairing to balance and enhance our respective dishes. Sadly, they ran out of the Pinot Grigio, which I would’ve preferred; however, there was just enough left for us to each have a nice taste tempter for the next time. That said, the Riesling was quite wonderful.] And, too — just for the heck of it – I ordered a side (to share) of crispy potatoes with thyme and garlic ($ 8.50) that was aromatic and sensational, as well.
Naturally, there was no room for dessert after this meal…
In sum, Osti was such a great find for us. We both have had very good to excellent Italian meals many, many times before; but, these guys really hit it out of the park for us. Personally, I cannot recommend this place more highly, and can’t wait to get back for many more terrific meals… Bravissimo!!! :D

A great place to sit and eat outside and watch the action on Chapel Street. There’s a nice, varied selection on the lunch menu; I went for the chicken schnitzel which was good although I wanted the Moreton Bay bug risotto which was too spicy for a tame palate such as mine. The fries were a bit on the soggy side but the coffee was great. Definitely a worthwhile lunch/​coffee spot.

One of those fabulously lucky occasions when the universe is steering you right. Osti came to mind at the right moment and a parking spot was waiting. A lovely space to spend time in, our evening flowed most enjoyably with dish after dish of truly delicious food matched, in consultation with our helpful, urbane waiter, to delightful wines. Delicate house cured salmon with citrus and baby capers, fritto misto — a combo of seafood and veggies in the lightest, crispy batter, Morton Bay bug risotto and melt in the mouth homemade gnocchi with duck and porcini ragu. All with well balanced flavours and really scrumptious. Also tempted by the lovely desserts on offer we will definitely be back.