Dishing Ojai: Osteria Monte Grappa
An email from Susan Kapadia, former chef and owner of World Flavor Café, revealed that she sold her business to Stefano and Tammi Bernardi, who have served as long-time co-owners of Via Vai and Pane E Vino in Montecito. Stefano and Tammi have made some changes to the layout of the restaurant space to allow for a few more seats and created a fantastic rustic northern Italian menu (Stefano is from the region between Venice and Verona). Bill and I dined at Osteria Monte Grappa last night and were thrilled (ecstatic actually) to have another quality dining option in the Ojai Valley. It’s also refreshing to see experienced restaurateurs at the helm. And, they brought one of their top chefs (Cesar) from Pane E Vino.
The menu is reasonably priced with countless offerings, including plenty of vegetarian options. The bambinos also have their own menu. We found the space to be a bit cramped and hot and the sloped floor an odd curiosity (our beverages were definitely tilting precariously in our neighbor’s direction).
Fresh bread and a delicious spicy olive oil came out first, followed by glasses of food-friendly Barbera and Valpolicella red Italian wines. The Insalata Valcavasia (fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil on a bed of mixed greens) was large enough to share. Our pasta dishes were each perfectly portioned. Bill had the Penne Alla Padernota (penne with mushrooms in a tomato cream sauce) and I had the Fusilli Al Pesto Di Basilico Con Pollo (you get the picture, no?). Our shared dessert was a delicious fresh pear tart.
The menu features several antipasti (appetizers), insalate (salads), pizze, primi (pastas) and secondi (entrees). I can't wait to try lunch, which has a half dozen different panini (sandwiches). The least expensive item on the menu is the soup ($4.50) and the most expensive (by far, as most items are around $12.00) is the New York Steak or the Lamb Chops ($23.75). Service was friendly, professional and expedient, and although our pasta was a bit slow to come out, we were never left wanting for attention.
Bill and I went to Tuscany last fall and adore all things Italian, especially the food. Osteria Monte Grappa’s authentic cuisine and come-as-you-are casual neighborhood vibe made us feel like we were back in Italy. If our usual haunts are wondering where we are, they will probably find us at 205 N. Signal.
Osteria Monte Grappa is located at 205 N. Signal Street. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Call for reservations: 640-6767.
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Comments (31)
I don't think it will be very long before I get over there and try this place. Heck, it might be about two hours from now.
Comment #1 Posted by: Anonymous | October 15, 2009 09:58 AM
Although I am pleased to see an Italian restaurant opening I can't help wondering where the creativity in dishes is.?? There may be quite a lot of creativity in non daily dining such as the Ranch House etc. but I swear if I see one more caesar salad with grilled salmon on a menu here I'm leaving town to eat. Are there any signature dishes here at all? If there are and they are escaping me (which somehow I doubt) please post where they are being served. I would much appreciate it. Otherwise most of the selections are pretty much all the same here and I'm sorry to say, ho hum boring. I'm hoping this restaurant has some pizazz to the menu selections.
Comment #2 Posted by: maria | October 15, 2009 12:48 PM
What kind of food are you looking for? I'll bet I can point you to a dish you will like!
Comment #3 Posted by: LS | October 15, 2009 01:08 PM
Maria-The Ranch House has not had "creativity in dining" since Alan Hooker died. A LONG time ago. Other than that, I agree with your post. Wish we had better food selections here in town.
Comment #4 Posted by: sooks | October 15, 2009 01:30 PM
thanks Lisa ! I love Pan E Vino
really looking forward to trying the new place in Ojai
sloping floors notwithstanding .....
Comment #5 Posted by: vickie | October 15, 2009 02:00 PM
I want capers!
Comment #6 Posted by: Tyler | October 15, 2009 02:46 PM
I'm all fired up that Treasure Beach & Cafe re-opened, they surely 'had' a creative menu...I look forward to seeing what they come up with!
Comment #7 Posted by: DK | October 15, 2009 03:57 PM
LS - By all means point away! It's not especially a type of food but a creative food that puts together different tastes that are not always seen together. Something creative and innovative. It's hard for me to believe that for as many creative people that do live here we do not see much creativity in the restaurant food. I agree with Tyler - more capers please!
Comment #8 Posted by: maria | October 15, 2009 04:04 PM
Well, maria and tyler, if it's capers you want (or that flavor and style of cuisine anyway), you ought to head on over to Azu. Here is their dinner menu: Azu
I have always found their offerings to be inspired and "creative." I love their food, but the service, however, is lacking, so sit at the bar, where you will always get taken care of (and say hello to Bodee the bartender). And share, because the dinner entree portions are big and so are the prices!
Comment #9 Posted by: LS | October 15, 2009 04:15 PM
Thank you for the tip. The Azu has alluded me for some reason- which is odd as I thought I had eaten everywhere and all the time in town. Maybe apathy had set in over the other menus here. ?? The menu does look inspiring. I had begun to think I would need to set up my own cafe in my backyard with unusual dishes and pretend I was somewhere exotic.
Comment #10 Posted by: maria | October 15, 2009 05:08 PM
If you do, Maria, I sure hope you will invite me...I will bring the wine!
Comment #11 Posted by: LS | October 15, 2009 05:14 PM
I'm sure the new Italian Restaurant is delicious, and I understand it's their heritage yet I sure would like to see something different. We now have three decent Italian, and several Mexican eateries. Personally I prefer Farmer and the Cook because they have a core value that doesn't allow for anything other than organic. By now I would think chefs would be up to date on the health benefits, both people and planet. Oh, well, immediate price over long term impact.
What I would like to have here? Middle East food please. A falafal for lunch, homemade hummus etc. more elegant entrees at night. Also, Indian food. Driving to Ventura for these things is fun yet I would rather have something local.
Comment #12 Posted by: Diversity Please | October 15, 2009 07:06 PM
the only other Italian place I know of is Il Giardino and it's not exactly authentic
Comment #13 Posted by: decent Italian | October 15, 2009 07:12 PM
I'm not an expert, though I've been told there are Northern and Southern styles of Italian cooking. Osteria Monte Grappa may be more northern, where most like Bocalli's, Papa Lennon's (one of my favs), Ojai Pizza etc. are southern.
Comment #14 Posted by: Diversity Please | October 15, 2009 07:21 PM
Would LOVE to have a mediterranean restaurant, particularly Lebanese. Perhaps a little lunch counter with falafel and gyros, with an exotic, vibey dinner menu.
Comment #15 Posted by: Tyler | October 15, 2009 07:32 PM
Clearly some of you folks have not eaten at Pan E Vino. The food is simple and brilliant. I am delighted that they are coming to town. This is not a pizza place. It is a pasta-as-it-should-be place.
Comment #16 Posted by: dennis | October 15, 2009 10:28 PM
To Diversity #12,
For a great falafel wrap try Abe's Mini Deli behind the remote bank teller in Miramonte adjacent to the Ojai Springs Car wash. One of the valley's little secret gems.
Comment #17 Posted by: hjs | October 16, 2009 07:25 AM
hjs - I knew he was opening this a long time ago but had not thought of stopping there for some reason. I will try it. The coffee place in Oak View is now serving sandwiches and soups. They look good and don't seem to be the same old same old. They use only local produce. Good to have a place here for tips on where to eat and what is being served in Ojai.
Comment #18 Posted by: maria | October 16, 2009 08:29 AM
Abe's mini deli is not serving falafels anymore, the county shut that part of the operation down. Unless he rectified the problems recently...I do love a good falafel!!!
Comment #19 Posted by: sooks | October 16, 2009 10:32 AM
We bought a pair last Saturday during the Detour, so I think he's still serving...
And they are really, really good.
Though I wish we did have a great Greek or Middle Eastern restuarant in the valley.
Comment #20 Posted by: hjs | October 16, 2009 11:05 AM
Somebody mentioned Ojai Pizza a while back...just wanted to include that those of you who like an Italian sub will likely keel over with pleasure over this sub. I am not an Italian sub fan to start but the person I was with (who ordered it) didn't have a choice about not sharing more than he wanted. Yeah, the pizza is GREAT but try this as another option sometime.
Comment #21 Posted by: gms | October 17, 2009 08:54 AM
We have now been to the Osteria two more times for carpaccio, beets with arugula, pizza (the crust is somewhere in the thinness continuum between Movino's and Papa Lennon's), panna cotta and more perfect plates of pasta and Italian red wine. Update: they are only taking reservations for parties of 6 or more. Last night, the wait was 30 minutes - just enough time to put our name in then wander across the street to have a cocktail at Movino! Buon appetito!
Comment #22 Posted by: LS | October 24, 2009 06:31 PM
I did see someone mention that a restaurant in Ventura...The Sidecar, who has been called the Alice waters of Ventura county...was looking at the old Auberge! Ojai would love that! We need a great chef in town!
Comment #23 Posted by: Anonymous | October 27, 2009 03:40 PM
Wouldn't that be great! I just emailed Tim, and, unfortunately, it's just not in the cards.
Comment #24 Posted by: LS | October 28, 2009 10:30 AM
They are extremely rude.
I walked by Osteria Monte Grappa on a Saturday at 4pm with my fiance and we had an hour before our massages at Angelic Touch. We stopped and asked the waiter (an Italian gentleman) if we could sit and have a glass of wine.
He said, "I'm not sure" and walked away. He didn't return for several minutes. By that time, we had already walked away.
I have no idea why he was so rude. All I know is that we will never go there.
Go to Suzane's or Azu.
Comment #25 Posted by: Ben | January 30, 2010 07:04 PM
I'm sorry you had a bad experience. It's not at all typical. Give them another try.
Comment #26 Posted by: LS | January 30, 2010 09:43 PM
Ben- "He didn't return for several minutes"?
with your wine before your massage?
Jeez- that must have really ruined your whole day.
Go back to LA ASAP, please
Comment #27 Posted by: mk | January 30, 2010 11:15 PM
the best chef in ojai is gone...we miss the Iron Pan...Marty Nation's food was great and so well seasoned!
Comment #28 Posted by: anonymous | February 26, 2010 04:50 PM
It's too bad he couldn't seem to work out the kinks: http://www.ojaipost.com/2006/11/dishing_ojai_iron_pan.shtml
I think you will find there are damn good chefs still cooking here in Ojai!
Comment #29 Posted by: LS | February 26, 2010 06:42 PM
I finally got to try Osteria Monte Grappa when southern family of mine came in for a seminar. The menu was featuring fresh mushrooms they'd wild-harvested that day. There was diversity and amazing flavors and the staff were very helpful and really personable. I'm excited about going back!
Comment #30 Posted by: DK | February 26, 2010 07:59 PM
Stefano and his family have been foraging porcini and chanterelle mushrooms for some 30 years in the Central Coast backcountry. If a wild mushroom dish is on the specials menu, don't miss it!
Comment #31 Posted by: LS | February 27, 2010 10:01 AM