Piccola Osteria — Restaurant in Santa Clarita

My husband and I went to Piccola Osteria for the first time last night.

The shopping center where it’s located has tons of parking, the restaurant is very nice. It is modern and cozy at the same time. The tile work is lovely. The ladies at the hostess station were warm and welcoming and with our reservation we were seated immediately.

The hostess led us into the covered patio area and until one of the roll screens that covered the opening to outside slightly billowed in a breeze and I felt a tiny chill did I realize that we were outside. Once we were sitting and I had removed my jacket, I never noticed a chill again. There are long low profile electric heaters above the tables that work great. The area is well lit, warm and comfortable.

The patio tables filled up quickly, there was a party of 14-16 people near us, as well as, all of the other tables filled with patrons, yet my husband and I were able to carry a conversation between ourselves and speak with waitstaff without having to speak loudly to hear due to any hindrance of background noise.

Tables were attractively and minimally set with white cloth table covers, thick cloth napkins, beautiful water glasses and quality silverware.

The menu was well organized and dishes deliciously described.

The wine menu covered the whole back of the single page menu. I think there were about 70 different wines to choose from, as well as, a full bar for other cocktails and the Piccola Osteria signature drinks.

All of the waitstaff we encountered made eye contact, smiled, were warm, friendly and attentive.

Our waiter was attentive without hovering. She was organized and quick.

I ordered their signature espresso martini. It was delicious. Decadent, light and frothy.

We ordered the Polpette Di Casa for our appetizer. It was 4 huge delicious, tender meatballs in marinara sauce with toasty ciabatta bread. That alone would have made a delicious meal. We had left overs. For our entrees… I ordered the lasagna. It was beautifully plated. The pasta layers were plentiful and delicate, the meat sauce, the bechamel sauce and cheeses were balanced and flavorful. The portion was more than I could finish (but also I was saving room for their tiramisu).

My husband had the Parmigiana Di Pollo, lightly breaded chicken breast pounded thin served with spaghetti in marinara sauce. Ordering chicken and having that chicken be tender and tasty at any restaurant is risky and when I saw the beautifully plated, but giant thin breast, (it was about the size of my hand with my fingers outstretched) I was nervous that it would be dry, it was not. It was tender and juicy and my spouse was pleasantly surprised.

And everything was hot without being so hot that we had to wait to eat it.

At this point in the meal we were already discussing going back and trying something else from the menu.

Our waiter returned. She boxed my lasagna and the two remaining meatballs and then presented me with the dessert menu.

I always order tiramisu if it’s offered at any restaurant, I’m always hopeful that I will find the dessert as delicious as it was when I tried it for the first time, a million years ago, at a little hole in the wall Italian Restaurant in Las Vegas and sadly I have not, until Piccola Osteria’s tiramisu. It was SO GOOD, so traditional and SO perfect with the remainder of my espresso martini and an espresso.

I would go back just to sit at the bar and have that martini and dessert.

I didn’t finish my tiramisu and it came home with us along with my other left overs.

Three hours later and straight out of the refrigerator, that tiramisu was just as delicious and moist without being mushy.

Our bill…a bread basket, an appetizer, two entrees, one fancy cocktail, espresso and dessert with leftovers, (we left full and satisfied without feeling heavy) was just over $100. plus a tip.

The portions were generous, we felt that the prices were reasonable and most of all, the overall experience, service, quality of food, presentation and location were on point. We will definitely...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at your establishment and wanted to share some feedback on my experience. While there were certain aspects of the meal that were enjoyable, there are several areas that I believe require improvement.

Starting with the steak, I found it to be quite disappointing. The meat quality was subpar, resembling a semi-boiled piece with no discernible aroma. It seemed as though the chef may not have had experience with a well-prepared steak. I would recommend exploring the methods used by the chefs at Bourbon Steak or those trained under Gordon Ramsay to truly understand what makes a great steak.

The fish was another letdown. It was overcooked and lacked any aroma. The spices were merely sprinkled on the surface, leaving the inside a bland, mushy mass. This imbalance in flavor and texture suggests a need for better seasoning techniques and an understanding of proper cooking times.

On a more positive note, the grilled vegetables were acceptable, though not outstanding. The Caesar salad, however, had an overbearing amount of onion powder which detracted from the overall taste. The Caprese salad was merely passable; the mozzarella was of low quality and the tomatoes had an unnatural, plastic-like taste.

The Margherita pizza was particularly disappointing. It did not resemble a traditional Margherita pizza, tasting more like tomato paste on bread with poor-quality cheese. This dish needs significant improvement to meet the expectations of those familiar with authentic Italian cuisine.

However, I would like to commend the quality of the fresh bread. It was fantastic and provided a delightful start to the meal.

Overall, my dining experience at Piccola Osteria was mixed. While there were some enjoyable elements, many dishes fell short of expectations. I encourage your team to invest time in learning and perfecting authentic recipes to avoid presenting what might be perceived as counterfeit plates.

Thank you for your attention to this feedback. I hope to return in the future to see improvements and enjoy the potential that Piccola Osteria...

Piccola Osteria, an enchanting family-run Italian restaurant, offers an experience that transports its guests straight to the sun-drenched landscapes of Southern Italy. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with a warmth that feels both genuine and familial, creating an ambiance that's as inviting as it is authentic.

The menu at Piccola Osteria is a delightful journey through Italian cuisine, featuring dishes that are not only bursting with flavor but also lovingly prepared. Each bite is a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality and tradition, making it a haven for those in pursuit of genuine Italian tastes.

The atmosphere of Piccola Osteria adds significantly to its charm. The restaurant is beautifully decorated, striking a perfect balance between rustic simplicity and understated elegance. This, combined with the soft, melodious Italian background music and the gentle buzz of conversation, creates a truly atmospheric dining experience. It's the kind of place where meals are leisurely, conversations flow freely, and every visit feels special.

Piccola Osteria stands out as a gem for those seeking a taste of Southern Italy. With its friendly service, exquisite cuisine, and atmospheric setting, it's more than just a meal – it's a memorable journey to the heart of Italian...