Osteria Antica Bologna

Traditional Italian Restaurant, Northcote Road SW11

020 7978 4771

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Marzio’s Italian Food Traditions from Piemonte

February 24, 2025 By Osteria

Nestled in the northwest corner of Italy, Piemonte – the birthplace of Chef Marzio – is a region renowned for its rich culinary traditions, diverse landscapes, and world-class wines. Known for its sophisticated and hearty cuisine, Piemonte offers a gastronomic experience that reflects its history, culture, and the bounty of its land. Join us as we explore the Italian food traditions of Piemonte, a region where culinary excellence is a way of life.

A Land of Abundance

Piemonte, which means “foot of the mountains,” is characterised by its varied terrain, including the majestic Alps, rolling hills, and fertile plains.

This diverse landscape provides abundant high-quality ingredients, from truffles and mushrooms to rice and wines.

The region’s climate is ideal for agriculture, allowing for cultivating exceptional produce that forms the backbone of Piemontese cuisine.

The Influence of History and Culture

Piemonte’s history and cultural influences have shaped its culinary traditions. As a land of ancient settlements and a crossroads for trade, Piemonte has absorbed diverse culinary influences over the centuries. The region’s cuisine reflects a blend of local ingredients, techniques, and influences from neighbouring France and Switzerland.

The House of Savoy, a royal dynasty originating in Piemonte, played a significant role in shaping the region’s culinary identity. The Savoy court was known for its lavish banquets and refined tastes, which contributed to developing sophisticated dishes that are still celebrated today.

Signature Dishes of Piemonte

Piemonte’s cuisine is characterized by its emphasis on rich flavours, hearty ingredients, and meticulous preparation. Here are some of the region’s signature dishes that showcase its culinary heritage:

Bagna Cauda

This traditional dish is a warm dip made from garlic, anchovies, olive oil, and butter. It is typically served with an assortment of raw and cooked vegetables for dipping. Bagna Cauda is a communal dish, often enjoyed during autumn and winter gatherings. Our chef Marzio has been serving his mum’s recipe for as long as he has been cooking.

Agnolotti del Plin

These small, hand-pinched pasta parcels are filled with a mixture of meat, typically a blend of veal, pork, and rabbit. Agnolotti del Plin is often served in a simple butter and sage sauce or in a rich meat broth and served at Osteria during winter months as a daily special when available.

Vitello Tonnato

A classic Piemontese dish, it features thinly sliced veal served cold with a creamy tuna sauce. This dish exemplifies the region’s love for combining rich flavours and luxurious textures and is often served as a daily special here at Osteria.

Bollito Misto

This hearty dish consists of various cuts of boiled meats, including beef, veal, and chicken, served with an array of condiments such as salsa verde and mustard. Bollito Misto is a traditional winter dish, often enjoyed during festive occasions.

Explore more of the traditional Italian dishes available at our Northcote Road restaurant.

The Truffle Capital

Piemonte is internationally renowned for its white truffles, particularly those from the town of Alba. These rare and aromatic fungi are considered a delicacy and are often shaved over pasta, risotto, or eggs to enhance their flavour.

The Alba White Truffle Fair, held annually in the autumn, attracts food enthusiasts from around the world, eager to experience the unique taste and aroma of this prized ingredient.

Truffle season is one not to miss at Osteria Antica Bologna, available annually from mid-November to the end of January. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

The Wine Heritage of Piemonte

Piemonte is home to some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera. The region’s vineyards, particularly those in the Langhe and Monferrato areas, produce wines celebrated for their complexity and elegance. The Nebbiolo grape, used to make Barolo and Barbaresco, is known for its ability to produce wines with deep flavours and ageing potential.

Wine is an integral part of Piemontese cuisine, often paired with meals to enhance the dining experience. The region’s winemakers take great pride in their craft, adhering to traditional methods while embracing innovation to produce wines of exceptional quality.

Read more about the wines available at Osteria Antica Bologna.

Cheeses and Sweet Delights

Piemonte is also known for its artisanal cheeses, such as Castelmagno, Gorgonzola, and Toma. These cheeses, made from cow’s milk, reflect the region’s rich dairy tradition and are often enjoyed as part of a cheese platter or incorporated into dishes.

For those with a sweet tooth, Piemonte offers a range of desserts highlighting its culinary creativity. Gianduja, a chocolate hazelnut confection, is a Piemontese speciality with international acclaim. The region is also known for its pastries, such as baci di dama (lady’s kisses) and panna cotta, a creamy dessert made with cream, sugar, and gelatin. Panna cotta is one of our most popular Italian desserts.

Embracing Tradition and Innovation

While Piemonte’s culinary traditions are deeply rooted in history, the region’s chefs and food artisans continue to innovate and evolve. The Slow Food movement originated in Piemonte and emphasises the importance of preserving traditional food practices while promoting sustainability and biodiversity. This philosophy is embraced by many Piemontese chefs, who are committed to using locally sourced ingredients and supporting small-scale producers.

Conclusion: A Culinary Legacy

The food traditions of Piemonte offer a rich tapestry of flavours, techniques, and cultural influences that continue to captivate and inspire. Piemonte’s culinary heritage is a testament to the region’s passion for food and its commitment to excellence.

At Osteria Antica Bologna, we celebrate the essence of Italian cuisine, drawing inspiration from regions like Piemonte to create dishes that honour such important region. If you’re curious to know more, come and visit Chef Marzio at our Italian restaurant on Northcote Road.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: italian food

Osteria Antica Bologna is 15 years old

November 29, 2024 By Osteria

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you all today.

Osteria is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year!

Marzio and his team have been serving up authentic Italian cuisine and pairing it with exquisite Italian wines for an entire decade and a half. And what a journey it’s been!

The Osteria family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to friends, families, past and present staff, suppliers, little ones (not so little anymore) and old and new customers alike.

Salute to 15 years of delicious Italian food and wine at Osteria!

Filed Under: News

Lockdown restaurant and deli opening hours

January 11, 2021 By Osteria

LAST UPDATED JUNE 2021

Restaurant

  • Monday: closed
  • Tuesday: lunch 12.00-14.30 last order | dinner 18.00-21.45 last order
  • Wednesday: lunch 12.00-14.30 last order | dinner 18.00-21.45 last order
  • Thursday: lunch 12.00-14.30 last order | dinner 18.00-21.45 last order
  • Friday: lunch 12.00-14.30 last order | dinner 18.00-21.45 last order
  • Saturday: lunch 12.00-15.30 last order | dinner 18.00-22.00 last order
  • Sunday: all day 12.00-20.45 last order

Lockdown/post-lockdown policies

We have stringent policies in place to help ensure our employees and customers are safe from COVID-19. These include:

  • Maintaining social distancing guidelines of 1 metre with risk mitigation where 2 metres is not viable
  • Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting is carried out
  • Employees follow safe COVID-19 working procedures

The results of our COVID-19 Task & Risk assessment is available at all times at Osteria.

Failure to observe safety measures will result in service not being provided.

When permitted to do so, you will need to book for lunch and dinner, with allocations of 90 minutes and no BYOB.

Service will be swift yet friendly but we may not be exactly how you remember us. Things will get back to normal just not right away so please be patient with us.

These are COVID times where we are all relying on each other’s common sense.

We thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you properly again soon.

Stay safe,

Marzio and the Osteria team

Filed Under: News

Italian Deli now open at Osteria!

May 15, 2020 By Osteria

Osteria Antica Bologna Italian Deli Now Open Until Further Notice!

During lockdown we’re offering a delicious range of classical Italian groceries, fresh fruit and veg, artisan cheeses and affettati, pasta and daily baked cakes and focaccia.

Classic Italian fruit, veg and herbs available at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Classic Italian fruit, veg and herbs available at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Classic Italian fruit, veg, pasta and herbs at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Classic Italian fruit at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Fresh Italian fruit at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Fresh Italian fruit at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Fresh Italian fruit at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Fresh Italian vegetables at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Fresh Italian fruit and vegetables at Northcote Road's favourite Italian restaurant, Osteria Antica Bologna.
Italian groceries now available from Osteria Antica Bologna on Northcote Road SW11

We’re open every Wednesday to Sunday from 8am to 4pm. Come and see us.

For all enquiries and special orders call us on 020 7978 4771.

Filed Under: News

Homeless can put down roots and flourish in allotment dirt (The Times, 8th December 2018)

December 14, 2018 By Osteria

Anyone going to the Italian restaurant Osteria Antica Bologna in Battersea, south London, in the next few days would be well advised to order the pumpkin ravioli. That, or possibly the sea bream, or the minestrone. When they do, they might spare a moment to think about Victoria, whose life has gone from the chaos of addiction to being a whirlwind of energy, focus and commitment; or Robert, who through gardening has found something to live for; or Simon, who is justifiably proud of his spring cabbages.

Read more here

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Newspaper Articles, The Times

Latest News

  • Marzio’s Italian Food Traditions from Piemonte
  • Osteria Antica Bologna is 15 years old
  • Gift Vouchers Now Available at Osteria
  • Celebrating the Festive Season at Osteria: Christmas & New Year Opening Hours
  • Lockdown restaurant and deli opening hours

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