Photos by Ed Williams
Chadds Ford’s versatile Osteria Ama epitomizes the BYOB experience, with fresh pastas and from-scratch cooking adding to the allure.
The latest addition to the Olde Ridge Village Shoppes in Chadds Ford, Osteria Ama BYOB balances the everyday and the upscale in a space where diners can enjoy a casual lunch during the week or a more elegant weekend dinner. Breads and pastas are produced on site. Naples-style hand-stretched pizzas are fired in a massive hand-painted wood-burning oven from Italy. The kitchen preps everything from scratch, so be ready to indulge in conversation with your dinner partners while you wait.
Raised in Italy, chef Genti Mataj adds a contemporary touch to everything that leaves his kitchen. His menu covers all the bases, from pizza to seared scallops to traditionally prepared grilled artichokes. Notable starters include a gooey baked brie with dried fruit, honey and walnuts. The fried calamari gets a boost from whole shrimp and a chipotle-dill aioli. We also recommend the seasonal beet salad, enhanced with burrata, roasted peppers, pumpkin seeds and colorful carrot chunks.
Veal, chicken and seafood dishes rely on demi-glace sauces and freshly grated cheeses to complement rather than overwhelm. Pasta bowls and skillets are prepared to perfection with penne, rigatoni or gnocchi and tossed with pesto, rose sauces or rich truffle oil. The Northern Italian-style risottos are creamy and savory. And don’t skip dessert. Ice cream is blended in house. Flavors include vanilla, chocolate, pistachio and sea salt honey walnut. Or opt for the cannoli, crème brûlée, tiramisu or panna cotta.
BYOBers might want to shake things up with a bottle of bourbon, which is perfect for a mellower dish like pasta with mushroom cream sauce. Beer drinkers should tote a German-style pilsner or Kölsch and steer clear of heavier stouts. Italian cuisine traditionally pairs well with reds, but whites certainly aren’t out of the question.
Osteria Ama
100 Ridge Road, Suite 24, Chadds Ford, (484) 800-8676, osteria-ama.com
Cost: $5–$36.
Atmosphere: Low-key, authentic vibe.
Hours: Lunch 11:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. daily. Dinner 3:30–9 p.m. daily.
Attire: Casual to date-night dressy.
Related: Your Guide to the Main Line Region’s BYOB Restaurants
