Osteria Brutto

Osteria Brutto's menu is a love letter to Italian-American cuisine, that distinctive culinary tradition that evolved in New York and other American cities where Italian immigrants adapted their homeland recipes to new ingredients and tastes. The result is a collection of dishes that are both comfortingly familiar and excitingly bold, executed with attention to quality ingredients and proper technique.

The star of the menu is undoubtedly the spicy rigatoni alla vodka, a dish that has achieved near-cult status among regulars. The pasta is cooked perfectly al dente and coated in a luscious, creamy tomato sauce spiked with vodka and finished with just enough heat to keep things interesting. It's the kind of dish that exemplifies what Osteria Brutto does best—taking a classic preparation and executing it so well that it becomes memorable. At €14, it's also one of the menu's best values.

The cotoletta alla milanese showcases the kitchen's ability to handle more substantial preparations. This breaded veal cutlet arrives golden and crispy, large enough to share, and represents the kind of generous, celebratory dish that makes Italian-American dining so appealing. Other mains include the comforting spaghetti pomodoro with polpette (meatballs), the indulgent gratin de ziti, and lighter options like spaghetti al limone with bottarga that bring a more refined, coastal Italian sensibility to the menu.

The antipasti selection sets the tone with elegant preparations like vitello tonnato and carpaccio di manzo (€22), while the fusilloni with pesto and burrata offers a vegetarian option that doesn't compromise on richness or satisfaction. The aubergine alla parmigiana provides another excellent meat-free choice, layered with cheese and tomato sauce in the classic style.

Desserts maintain the Italian-American theme with crowd-pleasers like tiramisu and affogato (€7), the latter being a simple but perfect combination of espresso and gelato. The panna cotta with pistachio praline (€9) adds a touch of sophistication, while the caramel sundae nods to American diner culture.

The Slow Food philosophy that guides the kitchen means that ingredients are chosen for quality and seasonality, with an emphasis on local sourcing where possible. This commitment to good ingredients elevates what might otherwise be simple comfort food into something more memorable and satisfying. Portions are designed for sharing, encouraging the convivial, family-style dining that's central to both Italian and Italian-American food culture.

The wine program complements the food perfectly, with a thoughtfully curated selection of Italian bottles including Prosecco and Chianti. The availability of wines by the glass allows diners to explore different varietals and find the perfect pairing for their meal. Creative cocktails round out the beverage offerings, providing options for those who want something beyond wine.