With summer underway, eating and drinking al fresco is always a first choice, but it became second choice when I recently visited Osteria Accademia. It was not an easy decision to pass up their stylish sidewalk café and their streetside gazebo complete with greenery, but the professor and book collector in me fell in love with the thoughtfully designed interior; natural light from the open-air doors gave way to subtle accent décor and walls filled with some 3500 vintage books. Soft music and the earthy tone of wood chairs and tables added to the serene and inviting feel.
The foodie in me fell in love with the Italian-inspired weekend brunch.
The Fennel
What better way to begin brunch than with a traditional Mimosa? Well, I found an even better way to begin brunch; Osteria Accademia’s Blackberry Mimosa with the right amount of sweetness.
Joanne joined me on this outing and enjoyed her Elderflower Mimosa just as much.
We began our tasting with the fennel which was skillfully seasoned, tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes as well as olives that were not only flavorful, but had the most incredible green color. The orange added a delicate citrus touch, and the pistachios a nutty texture.
The Fritto Misto at Osteria Accademia
Next up, Fritto Misto. This was fabulous! Calamari, Shrimp and Zucchini flash fried in a delicate batter. Every bite was a crunch of tastiness, and the richness of the marinara was a fitting accompaniment.
The Omelette Neri
Then onto the Omelette Neri, a generous amount of shiitake and oyster mushrooms with mozzarella and pecorino cheeses tucked into eggs blackened with squid ink blended together and wrapped in a hint of brininess. The Omelette Neri was served with a three-cheese, shredded potato hash brown which was the perfect brunch pairing.
The Uova Al Ragu
The Uova Al Ragu had our mouths watering by sight and aroma alone. One bite of the classic dish of two eggs poached in a traditional Italian meat sauce, then topped with freshly grated Pecorino cheese spoke for itself. It most definitely should be added to your must-have list.
The Caramel Banana French Toast
Despite how pleasantly full I was, of course, I had to finish with some sweetness. The Caramel Banana French Toast fit the bill. Airy Brioche bread, banana flambé (need I say more?!), a few summer-ripened strawberries, all drizzled with caramel that created a sugary glaze, then dusted with powdered sugar…ahh, delightful!
In addition to the weekend brunch, Osteria Accademia has happy hour and of course, dinner. Joanne has her eye on the house-made Gnocchi in a four-cheese sauce with walnuts, and I spied Spaghettini Vongole and Mocha Tiramisu. We will be back for sure!
Check them out on Instagram!
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Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram @foodpeoplepossibilities
