I want to start by saying I’m actually a big fan of Osteria G. This review is intended to help the business improve from a customer service standpoint for what I just experienced but hey, I’m about to say so many good things about the business. This somewhat negative over a review may actually end up helping the business by promotion and I don’t think that would be a bad thing in this case either so here it is. They say no Press the bad press, right… I eat here fairly regularly, at least once a month, and I was literally just here on Tuesday raving to my wife about the duck ravioli. We had just gotten back from the beach and she said, “Let me try that Osteria G duck you won’t stop talking about.” I also talked up the seasonal dessert that comes with ice cream because, honestly, the pairing is part of what makes it so good. So we placed a fairly large takeout order for the family. Multiple appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Easily a $100+ order. When I picked it up, the host actually suggested skipping the ice cream because it might melt before I got home. Totally reasonable. I told them it wouldn’t be an issue because I live literally across the street and wanted the full flavor experience. They even kept the ice cream in the freezer while I was on my way, which I appreciated. Fast forward to getting home. We unpack the food, and my daughter looks at the desserts and says, “Wow, Dad… pretty stingy for a $150 meal.” Smart kid. She wasn’t joking. Both desserts that were supposed to come with ice cream had virtually no ice cream. And this wasn’t a melting issue. There genuinely wasn’t enough ice cream between the two containers for even one dessert. Each had what looked like maybe a tablespoon. And the thing that made it more confusing was that both containers looked exactly the same, so it didn’t feel like an accident where one was light and the other normal. I know how this sounds. It sounds ridiculous to write a review about ice cream. But for a restaurant that clearly puts a lot of thought into customer experience, flavor balance, and presentation, it was a really odd miss. Ice cream isn’t expensive, and it’s part of what completes the dish. Multiple people saw this order before it left, which is why it felt less like a mistake and more like something that just… shouldn’t happen. To be fair, I highly doubt the chef was the one scooping a tablespoon of ice cream into a container. Maybe someone was filling in or handling takeout that night. I don’t know. I just assume ownership would want to be aware because it’s honestly a bad look. I will absolutely be back. The food is great, the atmosphere is great, and I genuinely enjoy this place. But when you’re spending $150–$200 for a family meal, twice in a weeks, details like this stand out. Even my kid noticed…. Great restaurant. Great food. Just a strange and slightly funny miss that I felt was worth sharing. Not sure which employee was salty or why, but it was definitely spiteful… just not entirely sure why… maybe they just had a rough day, but I didn’t do anything
Osteria G
Excerpts
I want to start by saying I’m actually a big fan of Osteria G. This review is intended to help the business improve from a customer service standpoint for what I just experienced but hey, I’m about to say so many good things about the business. This somewhat negative over a review may actually end up helping the business by promotion and I don’t think that would be a bad thing in this case either so here it is. They say no Press the bad press, right… I eat here fairly regularly, at least once a month, and I was literally just here on Tuesday raving to my wife about the duck ravioli. We had just gotten back from the beach and she said, “Let me try that Osteria G duck you won’t stop talking about.” I also talked up the seasonal dessert that comes with ice cream because, honestly, the pairing is part of what makes it so good. So we placed a fairly large takeout order for the family. Multiple appetizers, entrées, and desserts. Easily a $100+ order. When I picked it up, the host actually suggested skipping the ice cream because it might melt before I got home. Totally reasonable. I told them it wouldn’t be an issue because I live literally across the street and wanted the full flavor experience. They even kept the ice cream in the freezer while I was on my way, which I appreciated. Fast forward to getting home. We unpack the food, and my daughter looks at the desserts and says, “Wow, Dad… pretty stingy for a $150 meal.” Smart kid. She wasn’t joking. Both desserts that were supposed to come with ice cream had virtually no ice cream. And this wasn’t a melting issue. There genuinely wasn’t enough ice cream between the two containers for even one dessert. Each had what looked like maybe a tablespoon. And the thing that made it more confusing was that both containers looked exactly the same, so it didn’t feel like an accident where one was light and the other normal. I know how this sounds. It sounds ridiculous to write a review about ice cream. But for a restaurant that clearly puts a lot of thought into customer experience, flavor balance, and presentation, it was a really odd miss. Ice cream isn’t expensive, and it’s part of what completes the dish. Multiple people saw this order before it left, which is why it felt less like a mistake and more like something that just… shouldn’t happen. To be fair, I highly doubt the chef was the one scooping a tablespoon of ice cream into a container. Maybe someone was filling in or handling takeout that night. I don’t know. I just assume ownership would want to be aware because it’s honestly a bad look. I will absolutely be back. The food is great, the atmosphere is great, and I genuinely enjoy this place. But when you’re spending $150–$200 for a family meal, twice in a weeks, details like this stand out. Even my kid noticed…. Great restaurant. Great food. Just a strange and slightly funny miss that I felt was worth sharing. Not sure which employee was salty or why, but it was definitely spiteful… just not entirely sure why… maybe they just had a rough day, but I didn’t do anything
A Delightful First Visit to Osteria in Raleigh! This was my first time at Osteria while visiting Raleigh, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience from the moment I walked in. I had made a reservation in advance—which I highly recommend—and was promptly greeted and seated upon arrival. Max was our server, and he truly elevated the experience. He was incredibly friendly, attentive, and gave great suggestions that made choosing dishes easier and more fun. I opted for the vegetarian options and was blown away. The Panzanella Salad was a standout—I even described it to Max as a “party in the mouth” because of how vibrant and flavorful it was. I also tried the Alfredo and another house-made pasta dish, both of which were rich, satisfying, and full of fresh ingredients. Portions were generous, and the freshness of every component really came through. Max also mentioned that their menu changes every two weeks, which makes me want to come back even more just to try what’s new. In short, this place is a gem. If you’re in Raleigh and craving Italian, Osteria should be at the top of your list. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!
A Delightful First Visit to Osteria in Raleigh! This was my first time at Osteria while visiting Raleigh, and it was an absolutely wonderful experience from the moment I walked in. I had made a reservation in advance—which I highly recommend—and was promptly greeted and seated upon arrival. Max was our server, and he truly elevated the experience. He was incredibly friendly, attentive, and gave great suggestions that made choosing dishes easier and more fun. I opted for the vegetarian options and was blown away. The Panzanella Salad was a standout—I even described it to Max as a “party in the mouth” because of how vibrant and flavorful it was. I also tried the Alfredo and another house-made pasta dish, both of which were rich, satisfying, and full of fresh ingredients. Portions were generous, and the freshness of every component really came through. Max also mentioned that their menu changes every two weeks, which makes me want to come back even more just to try what’s new. In short, this place is a gem. If you’re in Raleigh and craving Italian, Osteria should be at the top of your list. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!
Great restaurant for a special night out with friends/ family or a date night! We are so excited we found this gem! It isn't easy to find this kind of quality italian food in the area. Everything we tried here was so good that we couldn't even come up with a way it could have been better. The staff all seemed like they were the best in the industry. We sat outside on a day that we were blessed with perfect weather and really enjoyed our time here. We can't wait to dine here again!