This new Italian spot recently opened in Thornton park and it's a must try! The menu had great variety from shrimp and veal to homemade pastas and gelato. Most of our group has been to Italy and we all value the authenticity in these dishes, inspired by the chef's Italian grandma Ester, whose photographs add a homey welcome across the main dining room. The appetizers were all impressive in flavor--with the baked clams taking the cake for my favorite. The complexity in flavors and freshness of the herbs combined with the buttery meyer lemon sauce was chefs kiss! The garlic confit focaccia bread was perfect for sharing and nicely crisp outside while fluffy inside. The savory whipped ricotta on the toasted Crostini paired so well with the petal honey. The truffle arancini comes with 3, and it's small yet mighty in flavor with a yummy Parmesan fondue drizzle and would be perfect for a date to share between 2 people. My Chicken Parmigiana dish could feed a whole family with a generous portion of protein and draped in cheese and sauce. The tomato sauce was so fresh and robust it certainly reminded me of Italy. Now, the Butterscotch Budino dessert surprised me, the homemade whipped cream was light and the custard was not overly sweet. All of the desserts were served in adorable glassware. The espresso martinis and the spritz were both popular cocktails at our table and went well with the apps. The inside is so aesthetically pleasing with lots of photos hung, plants, and Italian vintage accents on the walls. I must say all of the food was plated gorgeously and made it even more appetizing. I went with a group of 10 and reservations are highly recommended! read more

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Service was good and the atmosphere is beautiful. Normally, every restaurant from the Salt group is a 10/10 for me... then there's Osteria. I'll break down why this ended up being a 3-star experience. First, about three hours before our reservation, I received a text asking me to confirm my "outdoor table." I made this reservation a month in advance specifically because indoor tables were already difficult to get. When I questioned it, I was basically told it was "my mistake." It honestly felt like they were trying to push us outside due to demand. Second, the food was really disappointing. The focaccia tasted microwaved. The "melt in your mouth" wagyu was surprisingly chewy and lacked flavor. The pasta was just okay. The chicken parmesan was a massive Cheesecake Factory-style portion with almost no flavor at all. The one real highlight was the excellent wine list. Overall, really disappointing, especially coming from what I usually consider the best restaurant group in Orlando. read more

Came here on a Thursday night for my husband's birthday. This restaurant is beautiful! We were greeted and sat right away as we had a reservation. The food here is delicious and it doesn't seem like you can go wrong with any of the menu items. We started with the focaccia bread and carpaccio. Highly recommend both! I very much enjoyed the Cacio e Pepe martini. It's surprisingly smooth and a great take on a dirty martini. For entrees we had the Paccheri Alla Vodka and the lasagna Rotolo. Both were rich in flavor. However the pasta was very hard and a bit too al dente. I think next time I would try the gnocchi. For desserts we got the tiramisu and an espresso martini. The tiramisu was divine! Overall the service was great which is common with good salt restaurant group! We've become big fans of this and their other restaurants because of the stellar food and service. However, I took a star off because it was noted that we were dining for a special occasion in our reservation and again mentioned in the notes section of our reservation but it was not acknowledged to my husband once from the staff nor was there a special candle or dessert presented, which was something I saw from other reviews. This was a bit of a let down. Otherwise this is a great place for dinner and I'd recommend it! read more

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Came to Osteria Estero for a birthday double date and it was a lovely setting for a night out. The ambiance felt warm and inviting and the service was attentive without being overbearing. It definitely set the tone for a special evening. That said, the food did not quite live up to the atmosphere. The carpaccio and focaccia were the highlights and had great flavor and texture. I ordered the lasagna rotolo but ended up sending it back as it missed the mark for me. I replaced it with the truffle gnocchi, which I was excited about, but it still did not deliver the depth of flavor I was hoping for. Overall, a beautiful spot with great service, but the dishes we tried left something to be desired. read more

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I have been wanting to come here forever! I've noticed it's been trending on social media and finally decided to give it a try for a friend's birthday. I absolutely love Italian food and feel the options for good Italian in Orlando are slim. I'm going to be brutally honest...the ambiance is very nice and the service was great but as for the food I felt it was subpar and we ordered a good amount of things to try. The focaccia bread, beef carpaccio and Mami Mia cocktail were our favorites but the actual entrees were nothing special and a bit bland. For the amount I paid, I didn't feel the food was worth it. I'd give this place a 3.5/5. read more

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This place was amazing! We had a big group and Chloe and Gabe were amazing at taking care of us. Super friendly, knowledgeable, and on top of everything. First off, the ambiance of this spot is so moody, chic, yet comforting. I loved it. We started with the focaccia, Caesar salad, and burrata - both so great and fresh. I also got a cute cocktail that was equally refreshing and photo worthy. My main dish was the vodka pasta and I got chicken with it, literally so delicious and perfect. Now for the star of the show: the butterscotch budino was recommended to us by our colleagues and it did not disappoint. It was so delicious and I'll be dreaming about this for the next few weeks. Whenever I'm in Orlando, I feel like I definitely need to come back just for this, also it was picture perfect. I really enjoyed the spot and I will definitely be back for the good vibes, yummy food, and great drinks! read more

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I had high expectations for this spot knowing it was a good salt restaurant! Looking at the menu, I knew I couldn't go wrong with anything I chose. Vibe: great, cozy and nice decor. Both outdoor and indoor space plus a separate bar area Service: 10. We were seated right away. Our server was great, attentive. Recommended a lovely wine, no complaints Food: Try the lasagna!!! So simple, so good. Can't forget tiramisu for dessert. Delicious!!! parking - yes it's downtown so you'll either get lucky and find street parking like we did or you have a nearby garage available as well. read more

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Osteria Ester has got it going on! Our large group of colleagues met here the night before a work event, and we had an amazing experience. The service was top notch, the ambiance is moody and vibey, and the food is *chef's kiss* delicious. The menu is expansive, and it really didn't seem like there were any bad options. They even have a special gluten-free menu, which included GF pasta. I started with the "Caffe Shakerato," which is their version of an espresso martini. We also shared a few of the appetizers including the focaccia, the arancini, the Caesar, and the burrata. Honestly all of them were amazing, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the burrata. I went with the Hearth Half Roasted Chicken for my entree, which was tender with a crispy skin. The mushrooms beneath it were a great addition, although the polenta/grits mixture was not my favorite. For dessert, we tried the butterscotch budino and the gelato trio, both of which are must-orders. This is a wonderful addition to the Orlando restaurant scene, and I'd love to return the next time I'm in the area! read more

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Finally checked out this spot for the first time with a friend for brunch today. It was nice the host was able to seat us inside despite having made a reservation for outdoor (as that's all that was available at the time of making the reservation) since all the tables were in the sun. The decor was super cute and then menu was smaller but had some great options. Our server walked us through the menu upon arrival and gave us recommendations including the pancakes which we tried to order but were apparently sold out. That was the only sweet item on the main dishes so we ordered the sticky buns as a sweet treat alternative but it only came with one and was a bit dry. Our server also recommended the vodka pasta and the sauce had great flavor but the pasta wasn't properly cooked and was chewy. My bloody Mary was supposed to be garnished with a blue cheese olive (one of the reasons I ordered that beverage) but the bartender forgot and a food runner brought it over with some extras but they had a strange flavor so I wouldn't get that again. The carpaccio was on the lighter side and fine. All in all, I think there are some kinks to work out but would definitely try again. I am coming again Friday for dinner and hoping it goes better. read more

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My new favorite neighborhood restaurant! I've only been twice since they opened, but I plan to go a lot more and make it my neighborhood haunt. Top favorite food items I've had so far: 1. Crispy polenta - so crispy and flavorful! 2. Braised Beef Tortelloni - the broth is amazing 3. Alla Parmigiana (Chicken) with side spaghetti with Alfredo sauce - three big pieces of chicken and a big portion of pasta, definitely shareable 4. Tiramisu Top favorite drinks: 1. Unrefuseable Offer 2. White Negroni Of course, like every other Good Salt restaurant, the decor is perfect. A wonderful ambiance - the perfect spot for a girls night out or a date night. My partner and I personally love sitting at the bar. Speaking of the bar, the bartenders are amazing! Super attentive, have great recommendations, are really friendly and personable and of course...make amazing drinks! The white Negroni was my favorite and the amount of work that goes into making the white chocolate and olive oil washed gin for it is outstanding. read more

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We've been really excited to try this new Italian restaurant in the heart of Thornton Park but reservations always seem to be booked a week out on weekends so we booked this reservation 1 week out on a Thursday early evening. We weren't sure if our toddler and baby were welcome but we were kindly accommodated with a small space for our stroller. It is a bit tight so do keep that in mind. The gnocchi sardo was packed with flavor and the truffle cream really stood out. The chicken alla parmigiana was delicious and with two generous sized chicken cutlets. We were disappointed that the dish didn't come with pasta, but I suppose it was our mishap as in smaller print next to the listing it states "*add pasta for $6". We do wish the server would have asked us if we'd like to have added the pasta so as not to miss this. The braised beef tortellini was really flavorful but the edges which are expected to be thicker and chewier were slightly tough and perhaps slightly undercooked. I really like what the management has done to this spot which was formerly Soco, much improved vibes. Would definitely come back again to explore some of their other offerings on their menu and it's a great addition to the Thornton Park community. read more

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I couldn't wait to get home and write a review about our wonderful experience at this restaurant. Every single thing that we ordered tasted amazing! I'll start off by saying that the restaurant itself is so impressive, really beautiful. Warm mahogany wood, and vintage looking furniture tastefully decorated the interiors. I felt so comfortable there, I didn't want to leave. Service was outstanding, not only by our waitress but the manager came by and told us that the amazing gelato we had was locally made. I know I'm starting off with dessert first, but you HAVE TO TRY their honeycomb gelato. It's rich, silky, and luxurious as it melts in your mouth. Just a touch of salt and then the caramel of the honeycomb; it's perfection. I guess that's what left the best impression on me, it's such a unique flavor that you don't really find everywhere, it really was outstanding. Savory-wise my favorite thing was their arancini truffle balls. You get 3 per order. If you enjoy truffle, this is gonna be your jam. It's truffly, cheesy and the crunchy exterior is very satisfying. Clams were great, the polenta sticks were great, the truffle gnocchi with mushrooms dish was very rich, and creamy, the truffle flavor and cheese really stood out. So I definitely recommend this if you enjoy truffles. Our friend ordered the Wagyu sirloin and I had a bite; wow.... if you enjoy steak, this is going to be your dish of choice. Loved it, can't wait to go back. read more

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I had the pleasure of dining at Osteria Ester with a group of coworkers recently and this place was great! The exterior is charming with striped awnings and cute outdoor seating. The charm continues inside with family photos on the walls and tasteful decor. There's multiple rooms including a bar area, and dining room. We were seated in a little nook that felt semi private - perfect for our large group. For diners who are gluten free, they have a GF menu! Just ask. I was pleased to see a ton of options available for me including gluten free pasta. We ordered the caesar salad and burrata to share with the burrata being the star of the show. I didn't have any focaccia but it looked delicious. For my main, I ordered the vodka sauce option with gluten free noodles and added steak to it. I thought it might be a weird combination but it was actually incredible. My one complaint is my steak was a little overcooked for having ordered it medium but it wasn't a big deal. The sauce had great flavor and a nice kick to it and I devoured it! Dessert was absolutely incredible too with the butterscotch budino being a memorable standout. The butterscotch flavor was absolutely addicting and it was big enough for three people to share. We also ordered the trio of gelato which included hazelnut, honeycomb, and pistachio. So good! The one cocktail I tried was also very good - it was called the spritz bianco and it was very refreshing. I would absolutely return here next time I'm in Orlando! The hospitality was also incredible with our server Gabe being so sweet and patient with our large group. Thank you to everyone who made it a dinner to remember! read more

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Great Italian food, right near downtown Orlando! This place came highly recommended by our local work friends. Service was great, especially for what a large party we had. The appetizers and desserts were the standouts for me. Focaccia, burrata, and the butterscotch buccadino are my 100% must-try-recommendations. I had a glass of the lambrusco (my fav, always order it when I see it on a wine list). The burrata was incredible and paired perfectly with the focaccia. I had the vodka pasta, which was delightfully spicy, and added some steak on top, since I couldn't decide. The portions are deceptively large. You won't leave hungry. The desserts were incredible. Must try. read more

Osteria Ester - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Food quantity: 8/10 Food quality: 0/10 Service: 8/10 Ambiance: 6/10 Overall rating: 5/10 The lasagna and the butterscotch dessert were fairly good, but the tuna crudo tasted fishy, it was not fresh. The meatballs were okay, a bit dry. Unfortunately I had a very upset stomach after dinner and would not recommend this place. read more

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We tried Osteria Ester for a group of about 12 of us and it was such a great experience. The ambiance was lovely where we could be dressed up a bit but it was still warm and inviting. The staff was incredibly helpful from making a reservation to the service that evening. We had a semi-private space which worked perfectly where we could all easily chat and hear each other while enjoying some amazing food. We tried quite a bit across our group from multiple apps, focaccia, salad, main entrees, and desserts. For apps, the burrata, arancini, and polenta spin on fried mozzarella were lovely. Several of us got the gnocchi which was amazing fresh (eat it that night though, bc reheating didn't do it justice), and the chicken parm got great reviews as well. Their sauces were all exquisite. Many of us were intrigued by the butterscotch budino which definitely lived up to the hype and was the dessert round favorite. They had several creative and fun drinks as well! We thoroughly enjoyed our evening and will absolutely be back. While it was great for a group, it would also be an absolutely lovely spot for a party of any size. read more

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If you haven't been to Osteria Ester yet, run -- don't walk. This place is quickly becoming a new Orlando staple for Italian food. We came with a group and it was perfect for sharing. We ordered a bunch of apps and pastas for the table, which made it such a fun, family-style dining experience. Everything we tried was delicious and clearly made with care. One thing that really stood out was the portion sizes. The main entrées are huge. The chicken parm alone could have easily fed three people! Needless to say, we all left with very happy stomachs and some seriously good leftovers. They also did an incredible job transforming the space. The restaurant feels fresh, stylish, and inviting, and the bar area is especially cool -- definitely a spot where you could hang out for drinks before or after dinner. On top of all that, the service was so warm and welcoming. The staff made the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. Between the great food, generous portions, beautiful space, and friendly service, Osteria Ester is absolutely worth checking out -- especially if you're dining with a group. read more

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Osteria Ester is one of those places that just feels special the moment you walk in. The ambiance is warm, cozy, and intimate without trying too hard. It's the kind of spot that works perfectly for a date night, but also so fun for a girls' night out where you can dress up a little and stay awhile. The food was honestly so good. I absolutely loved the lasagna, it was rich, comforting, and perfectly layered. You can tell it's made with care. And the gelato... you have to order it! It was creamy, not overly sweet, and the perfect way to end the meal. Service was also wonderful. Everyone was friendly and attentive, it made the whole experience much better. Definitely a spot I'd come back to again. read more

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5 Stars for a romantic vibe and outstanding Italian food! The atmosphere at Osteria Ester is truly perfect. It's dimly lit, each area feels unique and yet like it's been there for a long time, and every texture and detail is intentional. It's primed to be a new favorite date night spot! For drinks- I *had* to order their signature martini called the Cacio E Pepe. It's made with peppercorn & Parmesan vodka, pasta water, and olive brine. This is a special drink! I wouldn't be able to have more than one, but it's a briney aperitivo worth savoring! Everything we ate was note-worthy, but the lasagna rotolo was a standout given it's unusual presentation. Think a lasagna done as rolls and then cut into medallions. I had enough to take home for leftovers and it re-heated beautifully. I really appreciated that they seemed to have options for everyone. My husband is a vegetarian and he had several hearty dishes to choose from. Finally, the service at any Good Salt restaurant group business is always exceptional and Ester didn't disappoint here. I will absolutely be returning and look forward to meals on the patio and at the bar next time too! read more

The focaccia is phenomenal. Get it. The chicken parm was quite good and a very large portion. The bolognese sauce was very nice. I'm not a fan of the style of noodle it comes with. But the pasta is house made and you can tell that in the quality. Wine selection was delicious. Ended the night with a glass of grappa and a cappuccino. Our server was very nice and even made an extra effort by sending a prosecco to the table because it was my birthday. Will be going back to try some other items. I've heard the tortellini are excellent. read more

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I loveeee the other Good Salt restaurants especially Reyes, so I was super excited to try Osteria Ester. Let's start with the positives, the vibes are so pretty inside. I love all the details. Our server was helpful when trying to decide what to order, I think that made our experience better. We started with some happy hour drinks for $10, I ordered a Negroni and my husband got the Paper Plane. Of the two the Negroni we both liked more. For food we started off with the truffle arancini for $9. It comes with 3 small balls full of rice, truffle on top of a cheese puree. I think of all the things I ate, I liked these the most. When we order entrees we went with the popular lasagna rotolo for $36 and the Bucatini Diavolo for $26. I was unimpressed by both of these dishes. Especially with the steep price for pasta. The Bucatini was suppose to be spicy but I didn't see the heat, and the plate served looked quite sloppy. I felt like the presentation on the lasagna was the same. Neither of the pastas tasted like they were made in house. The pasta sauce tasted like salt and sugar. I was really excited to try Osteria but I wouldn't return. I think they need to fine tune their menu and focus more on making their dishes more presentable considering the high price point. read more

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Lovely place great for a date or a group dining experience. Gabriel our server was very attentive from the start, he gave us his best recommendations. Everything was great except for the Braised Beef Bolognese the pasta was a bit undercooked. For drinks if you like spicy Margarita the Mama Mia is a great choice. The Expresso Martini is also very good here. Parking is available on the street if you can find a spot or there is the Thorton parking garage. Rates start at $4 for a 2 hour time period. read more

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The Good Salt Restaurant Group has done it again! Another great restaurant added to the area. We sat at the bar for dinner and service was great. Manny the bartender did a great job of providing suggestions and did an exceptional job of giving gluten free options! I ordered the gluten free pasta with clams and wow! The pasta didn't have that "gluten free" texture. In addition to having clams in the shell, they also added whole and chopped clams! Talk about not skimping out! Everything tasted fresh! The food was seasoned really well and the texture of the pasta we had, truly chef's kiss. I will definitely be back!! read more

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Beautiful new space, though hard to find street parking in the area. Lots of nice patio seating in front. Nice cocktail list, though I'd hope a $12 aperol spritz would be larger (also no happy hour, at least yet). Service was friendly and professional, lots of check-ins (which was good because my sirloin was undercooked). Desserts were enjoyable, though my sweet tooth preferred the butterscotch much more than the cake which had a yogurt-like "frosting". It's a "good salt group" operation and I appreciate that with each new opening they target a completely new concept (osprey is seafood, Seito is sushi, etc). read more

Osteria Ester - Clams/carpaccio, perch/sirloin, olive oil cake/budino - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

Cozy, but upscale Italian-American spot with incredible service and delicious pasta dishes. We made reservations to visit on a Friday night, glad we did as it was cold out and it seems like many of the walk-ins were being sat outside. Although there is also a nice bar area that I believe is first come-first served. We started with the focaccia which was excellent, a nice blend of herbs, salt, and oil/balsamic. For the entree I went with the bolognese which hit the spot. Plenty of meat and red sauce, and the pasta (which I believe is made in house) was cooked to perfection. For dessert we had the tiramisu, one of my all time favorite desserts, and it did not disappoint. Strong coffee flavor well balanced with the layers of cream and lady fingers. Our server was incredibly kind and attentive, checking in at just the right times to make sure we had what we needed. After our meal, we asked if there were any bar seats available to grab a cocktail and she went out of her way to reserve us a couple of seats - above and beyond! We really enjoyed our time at the bar as well, the bartender was kind and struck up a conversation while making the drinks and the cocktails themselves were delicious. The espresso shakerado is an amazing choice for coffee lovers, and the unrefusable offer was a well balanced choice for whiskey drinkers. Looking forward to coming back soon! read more

Osteria Ester - Focaccia - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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I've been here for inside dining and outside. For a top tier meal, dine inside & get the full experience. For drinks, conversation, people watching- I recommend outside. Mindy was our server and everything from her start to finish was fabulous. We live in the area and this is a spot we will stop in & scope bar seats for. Such a great addition to the neighborhood read more

Osteria Ester - New short rib & lasagna - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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What an amazing dining experience! I have seen and heard so many things about Osteria Ester so my husband brought me here for our date night! The aesthetics are absolutely stunning from the outside façade to when you enter the building and sit down. Our server Quinlan was stellar! She was very knowledgeable and gave us great recommendations on what to get when I was stuck between two types of pasta dishes. For drinks we got an aperol spritz and a non-alcoholic amaretto sour (no difference in flavor from a regular one!), and for our meal we ordered the truffle arancini, braised beef tortelloni, gnocchi sardo with shrimp, and ended with tiramisu and a cannoli trio (chocolate hazelnut, lemon pistachio, cherry). Everything tasted great, and I have to say if you get the gnocchi it's definitely worth it to add a protein to the dish! There are plenty of additional items I'd love to try here so I will be plotting to return very soon! read more

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I am a big fan of Good Salt restaurants and Osteria Ester is yet another beautiful concept. The food was good, both the gnocchi and Sea Bream were full of flavor. We went during soft opening and clearly they are working out "bug" in particularly service. Our waiter was very nice but we found ourselves waiting several times for 10-15 mins to order drinks and our food. I was also surprised the burrata doesn't come with any type of bread / crostini. It is suggested you order with one of their bread options, none appeared to pair well. I also didn't want to spend $23+ on burrata and bread (to be clear we didn't end up getting). Overall, though a nice space and what we got was good, I won't be rushing back though. read more

Osteria Ester - Italian Near Me - Orlando, Florida

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Dining at Osteria Ester as the guest of Ronnald, who also brought his sister Teris, was truly a knock it out of the park kind of evening. I really, really enjoyed it. It was easily one of the best meals I have had since moving to Florida, and it has now earned a place in my personal top 20 restaurants to visit when I am in Orlando. You can feel that this restaurant is driven by the owner's love of authentic Italian food and a deep respect for quality. There is real history here. The story behind the restaurant is almost as interesting as the food itself. The name Ester comes from the grandmother whose recipes inspired the menu, and that sense of tradition is woven into the entire experience. I ordered the Radiatori Bolognese. For someone who does not typically eat pasta, it was incredibly satisfying. The meat sauce was rich, balanced, and generous enough for the portion of pasta served. It was so filling that I had to take half of it home, which says a lot considering how much I was enjoying it. The star of the night for me was the Caesar salad. The dressing was absolutely scrumptious. The anchovies were perfectly blended into a creamy, savory base that made the salad completely addictive. I honestly could have ordered a second one just for myself. The evening felt warm, welcoming, and genuinely enjoyable as the three of us gathered and prepared our bellies for a long night at the opera. We were headed to Silent Night at Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, and Osteria Ester was the perfect beginning to the night. read more

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Can't wait to go back had the vibes of being in Europe and not just another Italian restaurant. Great ambience, food and prompt service. Recommend the chicken Parm and vodka pasta read more

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Love this new addition to Thornton Park, definitely the perfect restaurant for date night. The ambiance is intimate and refined, the kind of place you can linger over a long dinner and actually enjoy the moment. Service was friendly and we were overall pleased with most of what we ordered; the stars imo being the baked clams and bucatini diavolo. I didn't care for the caesar dressing on their classic salad and the truffle arancini is definitely an acquired taste but be sure to end the night with their phenomenal affogoto & honeycomb gelato. read more

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Amazing!! The Good Salt does it again. Great place for a date night, out with friends and family Can't believe they've only been open 2 weeks when we went because the drinks, food and service were flawless. The Pappardelle Bolognese and the Lasagna Rotolo were perfection. Staff was very friendly and recommended Chianti and Mama Mia for drink which went so well with our food. You have to get the Butterscotch Budino for dessert. So creamy and sweet but not rich. Would go back just for this. Amazing experience from beginning to end. read more

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Osteria Ester is such a beautiful addition to the area. The space is warm, stylish, and thoughtfully designed--intimate without feeling cramped, and every detail feels intentional. I especially love that the restaurant is named after the owners grandma, Ester The food was outstanding. Everything we ordered was fresh, well-balanced, and full of flavor. Portions were perfect, presentation was on point, and you can really tell the ingredients are high quality. Not a single miss. We ordered the Caesar salad, the baked clams, the Gnocchi Sardo add steak, the Wagyu Top sirloin, the hearty Half roasted chicken added the wax man potatoes, and Alla Parmigiana with chicken add pasta Service was welcoming and attentive without being overbearing, which made the experience even better. This is the kind of spot that works just as well for a date night as it does for a relaxed dinner with friends. I'll absolutely be back and highly recommend checking it out. read more

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Had such a great dinner at Osteria Ester in downtown Orlando. The focaccia was perfectly crisp and airy, the Wagyu beef and potatoes were cooked to perfection (so tender and flavorful), and pairing the Etna Rosso with the steak is a MUST. So good. Finished with the butterscotch budino and pistachio gelato -- both were rich, creamy, and the perfect sweet ending. Already planning my next visit. 10/10 read more

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My family had dinner at Osteria Ester last night to celebrate my daughter's graduation from nursing school. I expect any product of Good Salt's to be excellent, and Osteria did not disappoint! Our server was the absolute sweetest and gave us wonderful service (I think her name was Maddie). The focaccia was the best I have ever had! When the mains came out, WOW! They smelled wonderful, were picture perfect, and were absolutely delicious! My family doesn't mind sharing a few bites here and there so I was able to try multiple items from the menu, and all were EXCELLENT! Good Salt has done it again! And Sue's interior design eye? Chef's Kiss! read more

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Osteria Ester is great spot for a relaxed Italian dinner with great ambiance. The food was good overall and well executed. Not too much, but not too little. The outdoor patio is definitely a highlight. It has a really nice vibe and makes for a great day/evening outside. My only small critique is the cocktail menu. I wish there was just a bit more variety to choose from. It is still a great place to enjoy good Italian food in a nice setting. read more

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Wow! Fabulous new concept by the Good Salt group in lovely Thorton Park. The reimagining of the space is absolutely gorgeous. Warm and inviting with a reasonable noise level and gorgeous lighting. You could come here for a large family dinner or a date night. Or even sit solo at the great bar! Our server Maddie was perfect. Attentive but didn't rush us. She gave solid recommendations and didn't steer us wrong. Service was a level up for sure. It's a new space in soft open but there were little to no kinks left to be worked out. The cocktails we started with were excellent and featured beautiful craft ice. The focaccia is home made and was AMAZING. Do not skip it. We ordered a variety of entrees and everything was delicious. Only two knocks kept them from five stars. We were sat outside on a chilly Orlando evening and there were no heaters. It was too cold. Plus there was some Thorton Park pub crawl happening so there was a lot of traffic walking by with occasional smokers. I don't think this is in their control but it was a real turnoff. Additionally the gnocchi was delicious but was more pasta, less potato/cheese. It was still good, just not what I was expecting. I am absolutely looking forward to going back and bringing friends. The Ester salad and focaccia ALLDAY!!!! Maybe next time I'll save room for the cannolis! read more

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Finally decided to try this place after bemoaning the closing of SoCo (if you know, you know). The service was really good--our server was very thorough in explaining the dishes we had questions about and was very accommodating in offering samples of different wines. Although not pictured, we tried a few different dishes and they all were delicious, especially the baked clams. Will definitely be back. read more

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Amazing Amazing Amazing!!! Cannot wait to come back and try more amazing items! Came during their friends and family week and was able to get a sneak peek of their new concept. Was able to get sat at the bar with no reservation right away early in the night This is how Italian done right is supposed to be like! Fresh house-made pasta, great sauces and drinks, Lavazza espresso, all Italian wine menu Service by Manny was outstanding! He knew all the dishes and described them beautifully to make everything sounds so appetizing and also hard to choose from. Props to everyone else working the bar. Everyone there were so friendly and gracious. Met the owners, Sue and Jason, and had great conversations among us. It was a nice touch and much appreciated when they came by. Definitely elevated the experience and felt welcomed - Arancini was tasty with the porcini mushrooms - Carpaccio was so good with the crispy capers - Crudo needed a lil spice for me but I need everything spicy. It was fresh and thoughtfully plated - Alla parmigiana with chicken was great with the pomodoro sauce with a lil kick and toasted mozzarella with fresh basil - Paccheri Alla vodka was the best! Perfectly cooked pasta with a yummy creamy tomato sauce and fresh basil The whole place was so thoughtfully decorated and the details showed throughout the whole establishment. Noise level was perfect and felt intimate without being too loud at all Drinks were on fire! Loved the white negroni and cacio e pepe 50/50. Loved the stuffed Castelvetrano with half parmesan and half cream cheese. That could have been an appetizer on its own, it was just that good! Caffe shakerato and my own custom calabrian chili vodka concoction was also wonderful. Got to taste the house-made lemoncello - mellow and delicious! Espresso paired perfectly with the cannoli trio. Just wished the plating was a little bit more elaborate to differentiate the flavors, like dip one shell in chocolate or put pistachio at the ends of one and chopped cherries on the other. The flavors were hazelnut chocolate, pistachio lemon and amaretto cherry What an awesome restaurant to have in downtown Orlando and another fabulous addition to the collection of restaurants by the Good Salt Restaurant Group! read more

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Heyyyyyyyy you guyyyyyyyyys! A time was had, we came on Easter and they made room for our party of 6. We started with mimosas. You can purchase by the bottle, which is great for a large party. The eats were incredible-to start we opted for focaccia and whipped ricotta both 10 out of 10! Our mains we had ricotta lemon pancakes, absolutely amazing! An antipasto board, wonderful cheeses and meats etc.... Vodka pasta add chicken-super yummy! Can not express enough how wonderful of an experience this was for brunch. Service is top notch, food was flavorful, fresh, absolutely delicious! Don't wait give them a try! read more