The "Osteria Palermo" is an italian restaurant in Horbach - Langenzenn, in the Nürnbergerstr. not…read morefar from the exit of the B8 "Langenzenn Ost".
I've been to the "Osteria" a few times, whenever we were in the mood for some good italian food. Since I myself am Italian, and have lived in South Italy for quite some time, my expectations for an italian restaurant are quite high, especially concerning the quality and the service.
Sometimes, though, I just went for a carry-out pizza.
The owner & chef is south Italian, but the service-crew is not.
ATMOSPHERE
The restaurant is on the ground floor of the building, when you enter the dining hall there are some tables and a large counter. A bit farther in the back there is a lighter area with more tables, and another part which is often used for reservations, parties and functions.
The decorations are somewhat at a half-way point between franconian and italian, the italian part trying to creata a Toskanaesque feeling (strangely though not a sicilian feeling).
On the large covered terrace, during the summer months, there are also tables on the outside. The minus point for these is that they are right above the Nürnbergerstr. and depending on the traffic volume it can be more or less loud. Besides at rush hours though, traffic here is not that heavy.
PARKING
The "Osteria Palermo" has a small parking lot, accessible just before it, when coming from the B8.
THE CUISINE
The Menu presents many of the well known italian classics. Delicious italian Antipasti (Appetizers). The perhaps best Pizza and Pasta of the region, something for every taste, with some sophisticated variants and some outlandish creations (Pizza Sofia Loren - with Bananas). The choice of meat and fish dishes is not huge, but it is always possible to find somthing fitting. Scaloppine in various sauces, Costate, Cotolette, Fillet Steak, over to Calamari (fried or grilled).
The Mains are served with a side order of a small salad and french fries/croquettes (other sides available upon request).
The pizzas do not have a standardized size as they are rigorously rolled by hand, and baked directly on the stone of the pizza oven. They are always very large (often hardly fitting on the plate), and are with good probability the best of the Metropolitan Area of Nürnberg.
Also Salad lovers can rejoice, the Salads are (in my opinion) huge.
Of course also great italian desserts are offered (Panna Cotta, Tiramisù) and you can get a decent Espresso (though it can't compare with an Espresso in Naples, Italy).
The food is always prepared fresh, and since the restaurant is always attended by a lot of people and people coming to carry-out, longer waiting times can occur.
PRICE/QUALITY
I would define the price as a better middle-class. For franconian standards it may be considered a bit high, but not if compared to other italian restaurants around Germany, or restaurants in tourist areas within Italy.
I would say that prices for Pizza and Pasta (depending on the variant) are reasonable. Meat dishes (especially beef) are higher.
The quality is truly top-notch, you are always served something fresh and delicious. The Chef truly gives his best. Through the fresh preparation upon order, and the, at times, high demand, waiting times can often be a bit longer.
The taste and the quality of the meal compensates completely the long wait.
It is better to wait 10 minutes longer, than receiving somthing overpriced from the convenience-sector.
SERVICE
The Service-Crew, other than the Kitchen Staff, is not Italian. This might take away some charme and feeling, but the Crew does an excellent job. The Servers are perfectly acquainted with the Menu, so that they can answer questions. This works well in German, a bit less in Italian or English.
Orders are taken efficiently and passed on the kitchen, and it has never happened that I had to wait long for my ordered drinks.
The Staff is quickly available upon request, and check while going by, to see if a fresh drink is needed.
CONCLUSION
In my opinion, the Osteria Palermo is highly recommendable and worth a visit. Wether for Dinner or a Sunday Lunch. With Friends, Family or Colleques, the Osteria is perfect for (almost) any occasion.
Through the awesome quality, and some smaller tables, it is also great for a romantic dinner for two.
At high times, reservations are advisable.
For wheelchair riders: there are some steps up to the restaurants, these can be completely avoided by going directly from the parking lot, over the terrace, where the entire way is even.
Suggestion: when undecided what to order, the "Tris di Pasta" (three types of pasta, chosen by the chef) is a good choice.
