Oliver's Osteria

Oliver's Osteria Restaurant Review:

About the restaurant & décor: This charming, cozy spot sits semi-secluded just north of Laguna Beach’s downtown area, close to the mouth of Laguna Canyon. Its compact, softly lit space draws color from walls adorned with artwork, extending the natural intimacy of its surroundings. Owner and executive chef Erik de Marchi marries the venue’s vibe with notable representations of genuine Italian cuisine, inspired by his native Old World roots.

Likes: The ambience is organically cozy and not forced.
Dislikes: The outside seating is minimal.

Food & Drinks: Each dish featured on de Marchi’s seasonally rotating menu expresses careful craftsmanship, marked by flavors that pop with bold purpose without forsaking the importance of balance. Starters like the octopus with fingerling potatoes are studies in elegant simplicity, while the polenta with beef cheek ragù is an essential first course if it’s available. Handmade pasta options such as the tagliatelle with bolognese meat sauce combine fine taste with ideal texture, and this culinary symbiosis also manifests in the generously portioned scallop risotto. De Marchi’s compositional skills shine as well with mains of dry-aged New York steak and the must-have salmon in lemon and caper sauce. For dessert, ask for the cream limoncello to pair with tiramisu. The wine list deftly mixes Italian and Californian labels, and the old-school cocktails are proper. On weekends, look for brunch items like bolognese eggs Benedict.