Osteria Epoca — Restaurant in Brisbane City

Enough similar reviews here to suggest it wasn't just an off night. Being sat out the back in unflattering lighting didn't help. The inside of Osteria looked especially gorgeous by comparison; the owner has clearly done a wonderful job of making it look like an authentic trattoria (or what I imagine one looks like). When I mumbled something to my lovely husband about the substantial atmos discrepancy between the inside of the restaurant and our seats (I had a view of a screen door and a delivery trolley; he was facing a more salubrious arrangement of indoor plants) he said it was character, and didn't matter anyway, because it was all about the food. Well. Yes. The pinot nero was lovely, but at 3 times the price I'd normally pay for a decent wine, I'd want it to be. There was no discernible salt cod in the deep-fried potato sausages - the fried olives were amazing though - the home-made 'silk handkerchief' pasta was nice but the pesto needed salt, and the porchetta tasted a bit ... rank, like pork sorta can. The veggies that accompanied it, and the bean and zucchini side, were okay. Service was harried (maybe the owner didn't know it was going to be a public holiday the next day?) diffident, or downright surly - the pizza chef was our first interaction which I initiated after a couple of minutes of not being served when we arrived. This place looks really beautiful, but the reviews here suggest that Osteria's good looks are matched by quality food and service that I didn't get...

It’s my first time here and had heard some wonderful things about the food, the vibe and the staff - happy to day it’s all true and the food was very yummy!😋 . On this occasion we ordered: • Prosciutto & Rucola Pizza - Whole peeled tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella, prosciutto di Parma, wild rocket • Funghi & Tartufo Pizza - Fior di latte mozzarella, mushrooms, truffle paste • Spaghetti alla Chitarra - Served with asparagus and pancetta in a Saffron sauce • Local caught swordfish with asparagus and truffled cauliflower cream • Tagliatelle e gamberi - House made Tagliatelle with Mooloolaba King prawn • Chocolate Cannolis 🤤 . The pizzas were a great start to the meals. The crust was great - not too thin or thick with a slightly charred edge on certain bits. The Mushroom one was a definite table favourite and the prosciutto was equally just as good for me tooo 😍 . The King Prawn pasta was really really good. Loads of prawns mixed into it plus the king prawns on top 👌🏻👌🏻 . The spaghetti in saffron sauce was divine! The pancetta seasoned the pasta well with flavour and wasn’t too salty! Totally loved it! 🤤 . Aaaaaand the cannoli was just made! Freshly made with that awesome chocolate filling! Perfect way to finish off an...

Arrived 1.5 hours before closing and was told the kitchen was already closed, but I could choose between a few pizzas / pastas. Asked for something off the menu on their website but was told that it was a "new menu" wasn't actually being served yet. Ended up picking the lamb ragu. Food came out in 5 minutes and looked as if it had been sitting around and reheated... the "fresh" parmesan shavings were half melted and sweating, and the sauce was crusted on the edge of the plate. I typically add salt to my food and like really salty dishes, but after one bite of this I had to down a glass of water. I've never had a restaurant dish so oversalted... my own saliva tasted sweet in comparison. Something must have gone wrong. The pasta itself was very very soft - which I actually don't mind, but don't come expecting al dente. $30 for an experience I never want to have again. I'm half tempted to give it one more shot because this must have been an off day... I can't imagine it could get this many positive reviews if this wasn't an exception. Atmosphere would have been nice if not for multiple flies buzzing around the food (this was inside, not out...