Osteria Toscana

California Avenue Tuscan trattoria with housemade pasta, braised meats, and a curated Italian wine list in a warm intimate setting.

Osteria Toscana gives Hamilton Avenue in downtown Palo Alto a pasta menu with plenty of classic Italian comfort. We like the range within that focus: spinach-and-ricotta raviolini with marinara, potato gnocchi with creamy basil pesto, and pappardelle with a pork, veal, and beef Bolognese each offer a different kind of satisfying plate. Linguine with clams and spinach pasta with bay shrimp bring seafood into the selection, while tortellini pairs cheese-filled pasta with prosciutto, peas, and cream. Starters such as beef carpaccio, meatballs, and artichoke bottoms with shrimp make it easy to share before the main course. Chicken Marsala, veal piccata, and salmon broaden the options beyond pasta. Osteria Toscana's appeal is that recognizable Italian repertoire, giving a meal room to unfold from antipasti to a favorite sauce or a more substantial entrée.