A Pizza My Heart

Dear SOON(ER) to be traveler,

Coming to Arezzo, I knew I would become exposed to numerous delicious restaurants and a variety of Italian dishes. In Italian culture, food is more than just a meal. It is a time to come together with the ones you love. As I have begun to make my way around Arezzo, I have started to find my favorite places.

My favorite restaurant has been Osteria dei Mercanti. When you first walk into the restaurant, you are greeted by the sweetest Italian woman, Chiara, who speaks just enough English to understand us. She hands us the OU voucher menu and brings us water right away. At Osteria, your voucher will allow you a first course or appetizer and a second-course meal.

I order the Caprese Salad as my appetizer each time I go. It is by far the best Caprese Salad I have ever had. The salad consists of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, olives and is topped with a balsamic and olive oil glaze. Before coming to Arezzo, I had only had olives a handful of times and never cared for them, but at Osteria, they are perfect.

As for the main course, everything I have ordered so far has been near perfect. The Spaghetti Carbonara was the first meal I used my voucher for and it is still the best pasta dish I have had in Arezzo. The bacon crunch and creamy flavor of the pasta came alive in my mouth as I savored each bite of the dish. The Penne pasta with eggplant and tomato is also an exceptional option. The fresh tomato sauce and a touch of eggplant were not something I knew I needed.

If you’re looking for a true Neapolitan pizza, Osteria offers two options with the voucher including Margherita and four cheese pizza. The Margherita pizza was divine as the tomato sauce was fresh and the pizza was topped with basil. The only complaint I had is I wish there was more cheese to cover the pizza.

Not only does Osteria offer the best food, but they offer one of the best ambiances in Arezzo. The inside-outside exterior is a great place to spend quality time with friends, appreciate your meal, and enjoy a good photo opportunity.

Osteria provides a comfortable and beautiful place to come together with friends. Osteria has taught me to appreciate a true Italian dinner and to savor each moment with loved ones. This is something that I want to take back home with me.

This restaurant has a pizza my heart, and I highly recommend you try my favorite restaurant when coming to Arezzo. I miss it already!

BOOMER!

Shannon Kent