Earlier this fall, I shared that one of the places I was most excited to try in the Fresno/Clovis area was Willow Osteria, the newest restaurant from the restaurateur behind local foodie favorites The Annex Kitchen and Annesso Pizzeria. Willow Osteria opened its doors in mid-November, and this past weekend my husband and I finally had the chance to check it out. We had an 8pm reservation and were greeted right away by a team of hostesses. The entrance leads into the bar area, which is dimly lit and richly styled with dark woods, a glossy white relief-tile ceiling, and black, white, and olive penny-tile floors. Moments later, we were escorted to our table. On the way, we passed through a romantically lit section of the restaurant with deep floral wallpapers and curved booths lining the walkway. We were seated in the main dining room, which felt brighter and livelier. The space features rich woods, white tile, black and white accents, and unique statement chandeliers. One side of the room showcases a large glass wine room; the other side is open to the bustling kitchen, where guests can see cooks preparing meals. There is also a sizable patio off the main dining area, though it was too chilly on our visit to sit outdoors. Our server greeted us warmly and clearly knew the menu well. She had participated in extensive training and tastings prior to opening and did a great job guiding us through what we might enjoy most, including dishes that had quickly become guest favorites. We each started with a cocktail. I ordered the Limoncello Drop, which was absolutely delicious (and a little too easy to sip) without being overly sweet. My husband ordered their twist on an Old Fashioned and loved it. Then we moved on to starters. Our server described the Fett’Unta from the Antipasti menu as thick, pillowy slices of handmade sourdough grilled on a panini press, brushed with local Enzo olive oil, and finished with flaky salt. It was simple, but it was out-of-this-world good. I loved it so much that I baked bread at home this week just to try to recreate it. Sometimes the simplest foods, when done exceptionally well, are truly the best. We also tried the Caesar salad, which was very fresh and bright. The lighter-style dressing coats the greens evenly, and as someone who is a sucker for a great Caesar, this one absolutely delivered. (My favorite is still at Annesso, but Willow Osteria’s is right up there.) Dinner is meant to be shared family-style, as in many Italian restaurants (and Italian home kitchens). Our server recommended choosing a few dishes to split. I had read glowing reviews of the spice-rubbed half chicken, so we ordered it, and it did not disappoint. It was seasoned with bold spices, crusted with Calabrian chili and honey, a little spicy, very flavorful, and tender. It came with a side, and we opted for the crispy potato wedges, which were excellent. We also tried the Cotolette Alla Bolognese: a large, crispy pork chop topped with melted fontina, crispy prosciutto, and a demi-glace. The portion was generous, though this entree did not come with a side. Wanting to sample a pasta dish as well, we chose the Bucatini al Limone, which both our server and a coworker had recommended. It was phenomenal. The creamy lemon sauce coated each noodle perfectly, and the housemade bucatini was al dente with great texture and bite. Even though we were full, we could not resist sharing a dessert for “research purposes.” We ordered the Butterscotch Budino, a creamy pudding topped with crunchy almonds and fresh sweet cream. It was so good that writing about it now is making me wish I had another one in front of me. Overall, our experience at Willow Osteria was excellent. The service was fairly dialed in for such a new restaurant. (We did wait a bit for our check at the end of the evening, but everything leading up to that point was very smooth.) The main dining room can get a little loud, which may be challenging for guests who prefer a quieter space or have difficulty hearing, so it might help to note that in a reservation. My only other small critique is that a few dishes felt a bit light in portion size for the price, specifically the pasta and the incredible bread starter. Because of the price range (and because we will want to try as many dishes as possible each time), Willow Osteria will be more of a special-occasion spot for my family, but we will definitely return — we had a wonderful time. If you’d like to go, reservations are strongly recommended. The restaurant is new and currently booking a few weeks out, but it’s worth the wait. Willow Osteria is located on the southeast corner of Shepherd and Willow, just inside the Clovis city limit. They are open for dinner seven days a week: Monday through Thursday from 5 to 10pm, Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10:30pm, and Sunday from 5 to 9:30pm. ...read more read less