Ambitious new Osteria brings relaxed taste of Italy to northeast Mesa

Osteria, an ambitious new restaurant originally scheduled to open nearly a year ago, finally opened its doors over the weekend on the southeast corner of McKellips and Alta Mesa (the half-miler between Higley and Recker) in northeast Mesa.

In Italy, an osteria is an after-work hangout that typically serves a small menu of inexpensive wine and food.

Osteria, however, is an all-day affair, offering veggie fritattas, braised beef paninis, panettones (sweet breads) and scones for breakfast to complement its espresso drinks. Breads and pastries are baked in the wood-fired oven.

In addition to the expected starters and salads, Osteria’s lunch menu focuses house-made pastas, paninis, and pizzas.

The addition of four entrees from the wood grill – pasture-raised chicken, grass-fed steak, a double-cut Duroc all-natural pork chop, and “harpoon-caught’’ swordfish – bolsters the menu for dinner.

The tap list features 15 craft beers by the pint or pitcher, including a couple from California-based Hangar 24, for whom Osteria owner Alec Golzio once worked as its Valley rep.

Golzio and her husband also previously owned and operated the rustic Handlebar pub and grill in Apache Junction.

Fifty wines are available by the glass, starting at $7. Most also are available by the bottle.