While several local restaurants have closed down during the past two years, Jorin Gerveni and his business partner Genti Mataj, took a chance and opened Osteria Ama in Olde Ridge Village at the end of October. They had been operating a restaurant in Haddonfield, N.J., but that was an hour’s drive for Mataj. He wanted a place closer to home. He lives just a few blocks away from Olde Ridge, Gerveni said.
And all is well in the new digs.
“Osteria Ama is a place for everybody,” Gerveni said. “It tastes like home, feels like home. The atmosphere that we’ve created is based on respect. We’re very customer-focused. Even on a Friday or Saturday night, I want to spend time with each customer. It makes guests feel more welcomed…I would describe it as an extension of your home.”
It must be working because Gerveni said he sees people returning several times per week.
Osteria is an Italian word that originally referred to a place that served wine and light food, a tavern. Gerveni said the word applies to his restaurant as a casual dining experience. No jacket or tie is required, though reservations are needed for Friday and Saturday night dinners. And the Ama part of the name is short for the Italian, amore, love.
The cuisine is Italian and all the breads, pastas, and desserts are made in-house, he said.
“Genti grew up in Italy and he went to school in Italy for culinary arts. The whole inspiration is from Tuscany. He’s from Florence.”
Some recipes have been modified for the American market and tastes, however.
Prices vary from dish to dish, but he said based on a three-course meal, lunches are roughly $35 per person and dinners are $40 per person. However, pizzas for lunch are becoming increasingly popular. There are five different pizzas available, each one 10 inches in diameter, baked in a brick oven. They range in price from $10-$14.
The menu is available online here. But be aware that it will likely change slightly each month, according to Gerveni. They want to keep the menu fresh and tweak it as necessary.
Osteria Ama is open seven days per week. It opens at 11:30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m., “or until the last person leaves.” The restaurant is also BYOB.
For reservations and other information, phone 484-247-3875.
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