An amazing find in the middle of nowhere, but definitely worth visiting: Restaurant AB Osteria Contemporanea (9. February 2024)

Sometimes, you stumble into an amazing place – the AB Osteria Contemporanea is exactly this! I was the only customer for lunch, which provided me with an amazing experience. It started with “grissini” (coperto: EUR 8.00), which was lovely, …

… and some bread, which went perfectly with their olive oil and some sea salt.

Then, it was time for a small amuse bouche from the kitchen – the “celeriac with olive oil, vinegar and Szechuan pepper” was incredibly simple, but it was outstanding in terms of flavour profile. Frankly, it is one of the better dishes I’ve had in the past few months. I mean, the simplicity of the dish was surprising – especially, considering how flavourful and interesting it turned out to be.

The “chicorée with anchovies” was a bit less to my liking. Sure, I love anchovies, but somehow the chicorée was overly dominant, and the anchovy was barely there. So, while I liked the idea (i.e., consider the combination interesting), it didn’t really work out for me.

As a first starter, I went for the “cannolo farcito di hummus di fagioli, pasta di semi di sesamo, cipolla fermentata, acetosa e aglio nero” (EUR 16.00), which was absolutely interesting. The combination of the fermented onion and the black garlic added to the intensity of the dish. Frankly, a great first ‘official’ course!

Then it was time for “bigoli al torchio, stracotto di cinghiale e kombucha di orzo” (EUR 16.00) as a primo piatto. The pasta was perfectly al dente, which I absolutely enjoyed. The boar taste was intense, almost a bit too intense for my gusto, but I liked that they applied the sauce generously.

Then it was time for the “cappone ripieno di mortadella e tartufo nero e patate montate al burro” (EUR 22.00), which was a dish, which wanted ‘a bit too much’. Personally, I think less would have been more. I mean, the buttered potato mash was delicious, but somehow the capon stuffed with mortadella and black truffle didn’t really do it for me. So, while the starters were exquisite, the main didn’t really live up to expectations.

As a little treat, you’d get “fasnachtschüechli” to get a bit of sweet on your palate before leaving the restaurant.

The place is modern, spacious, and somehow, despite the wideness, creates a feeling of comfort. That being said, it’s important that you sit close to a heater in the winter months, since else it will be difficult to stay warm (at least when you’re the only customer). The staff was incredibly friendly, caring, and attentive.

In summary, the AB Osteria Contemporanea is definitely a place I can recommend you to visit. The place is nice, the food is overall great, the staff is superbly friendly and professional, and all together, it’s rather fair in price as well.

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Contact Details:

Restaurant AB Osteria Contemporanea

Via Aquileia 5

33050 Lavariano (I)

Tel.: +39 04 32 184 4110

Cell: +39 351 567 8542

Homepage: http://www.abcontempo.it

About the Author: Sven

I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org. Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City.