Osteria Opens in Moorestown

Marc Vetri, Jeff Benjamin, Jeff Michaud and Brad Spence open Osteria at the Moorestown Mall today. Like the Philadelphia location, Osteria offers house-cured meat, handmade pasta, pizza and entrees of meat, fish and vegetables.

Mike Deganis is the chef de cuisine at the Moorestown Osteria. Deganis was formerly the head chef at Alla Spina. Desserts are overseen by pastry chef Dominique Piscetella. Vetri Family beverage director Steve Wildy oversees the  100-bottle wine list.

It is the first location for the Vetri Family outside of Philadelphia and it will be interesting to see if New Jerseyites take to dishes like duck and foie gras terrine with quince butter. Osteria’s opening is also a sign of rebirth at the Moorestown Mall which has been reinventing itself with destination dining and a new movie theater. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill and Jose Garces’ Distrito will join Osteria at the mall.

The Moorestown Osteria incorporates many of the same design elements of the Philadelphia original. Look for a similar wood-brick oven, chef’s counter, red floors and wall of wooden wine crates. A large open kitchen showcases the culinary team. The dining room seats 120 with a bar that has room for 22. A patio will add 45-seats for al fresco dining.

During its first week, Osteria will be opened for dinner only. Beginning Monday, November 25, the restaurant will serve lunch and dinner, Sunday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Brunch service at Osteria will launch down the line.

Osteria – Moorestown [Foobooz]