Ostia

Early-in-the-game date jitters get the best of us all, but if you want a spot that feels easy, try Ostia, the Italian/Mediterranean restaurant in Montrose. Book a table on the airy patio, or even better, in the dreamy greenhouse room, with rustic brick walls, enormous skylights, and enough plants to make you forget that you’re dining indoors. Share the mortadella paté, split some homemade pastas, and grab a bottle of Lambrusco, and if the conversation starts to dwindle, you can use the romantic view as built-in small talk.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Chelsea Thomas

Caesar Salad

Ostia’s caesar is a great caesar. This classic, well-executed salad comes piled with thick slices of anchovy, crunchy croutons, and tangy dressing that tastes like it was mixed tableside right in front of you.

photo credit: Chelsea Thomas

Pizza Bianco

This pizza has us working to convince every person we know to get lunch at Ostia. This fluffy, soft Neapolitan-style pizza crowned mushrooms, intense garlic confit, and taleggio cheese is something everyone should eat.

photo credit: Jenn Duncan

Chicken

Here, the roasted chicken gets a little extra flair from a drizzle of salsa verde and a lot of lemon. And while the tender dish is enough to share, taking some to snack on right out of the fridge the next day, tastes equally as great.