Osteria Nane della Giulia — Restaurant in Padua

The name cannot be translated by all mean, and I doubt I'll be able to put in words the whole nice experience I had, so bear with me as I'll try my best.

We found this place walking by the narrow streets of central Padua. I don't even recall how we arrived here, in this little alley. From the front door this place is so gloom that doesn't inspire people entering. However, the handwritten menu caught our attention. At first, prices were not clear - perhaps due to the calligraphy -, but once all was deciphered we decided to give the place a go.

I glad we did. In this little yet ancient "Osteria" I rediscovered all those tasty recipes my granny (from Venice) was used to cook me when I was a child: "Sarde in saor" and "Baccalà mantecato".

Whilst going to the gentlemen, a flavoured full-bodied smell reached my nose. I was told that was from an old poor but traditional recipe of the once upon a time Venetian Osterias: "pollo in tecia", or chicken drums cooked in wine and grappa (distilled wine) with herbs and vegetables on a polenta bed. Of course I went for it, with some chards-like vegetable side.

The dinner has been tossed with a glass of Tocai (not that good) and completed with two marvelous desserts, a chocolate and pear cake, and a coffee and chocolate mousse.

Price wise this place is much cheaper than the one we've eaten two days ago, and the quality was much better. A visit is absolutely deserved.

P.S. the empty place was so crowded when we left and people were waiting outside to be accommodated. If you are a small group, greater than two, I'd recommend...

Words cannot describe the joy that this restaurant brings to me. I have only had the pleasure and privilege of going there twice, to celebrate my anniversary, and they have been two of the best dinner I believe I will ever have. Starting with the sublime food selection, there is something there for everyone, the wine is perfect and it is all achieved in a very respectful amount of time. The staff are the most welcoming and understanding, and they always make sure we are comfortable and provide us with whatever we need. A fine gentlemen kept an attentive eye on our table and continued to bring us bread if we were running low, which was a lovely gesture. As for the decor, the environment of the restaurant is the impossible combination of the splendour of a high end restaurant and familiarity of your family home. The lighting is soft and welcoming, and the pictures take you for a trip around the history of Italy and cuisine. The best restaurant in Padova and one of the most incredible hidden gems I have stumbled upon. This restaurant is a must visit to anyone that...

Went there highly recommended and thus very excited to try true Veneto food. What we actually tried was true Veneto obnoxiousness.

The catalogue looks so beautiful in italian and the reviews say they’re helpful in translation, which may trap you into thinking it’s some sort of genuine artistic endeavour they couldn’t decipher; well no, they simply lack will to communicate it to the uncultured visitors who don’t master the italian language.

After the deciphering is over and we got to our -pardon me for the presumptuousness- simple request: a vegetarian pasta dish without beans, we got a little lecture on the chef’s and the menu’s biblical untouchability.

This place looks dreamy in the cold north but if you consider food to be more than a menu and a bit of culture, then stay away from this place and go straight to the south of Italy where people are nice and food...