15/06/2026: We dined at Osteria Cannavina, choosing a fairly comprehensive menu including appetizers, a first course, main courses, side dishes, and dessert.
For appetizers, we tried a selection of cheeses and a selection of cured meats, including black pig and game. The cheeses were decent, with overall good quality but no particular notes that made them memorable. The selection of cured meats was more disappointing: the prosciutto crudo, in particular, had too much fat compared to the lean meat, a factor that detracted from the overall experience.
The first course, tortellini pasticciati, was probably the most balanced dish of the evening: tasty, well-prepared, and satisfying.
For main courses, we chose the osteria's sausages and the beef tagliata, accompanied by delicious potatoes. The tagliata was undoubtedly the highlight of the dinner: tender, perfectly cooked, and well-seasoned. The sausages, however, left us a bit perplexed, especially due to the rather limited quantity served. As for side dishes, we ordered two portions of sweet potatoes: one arrived correctly fried, while the other, which should have been identical, was served baked. This error created some confusion and should have been avoided.
The berry cheesecake looked good and tasted pleasant, with a nice balance between the sweetness of the cream and the tartness of the berries. However, during the tasting, we found a small piece of plastic inside the portion.
From a service and organizational standpoint, the aspect that left us most perplexed was the handling of our reservation. I had reserved a table for two two weeks in advance, but upon our arrival, we were still seated at a shared table (even though it was empty at the time) instead of a dedicated table. When we took our seats, we were told that all the other tables were booked. While I understand the restaurant's organizational needs, I believe a reservation made well in advance would have deserved more attention. It's a detail that doesn't impact the quality of the food, but it contributes to the overall customer experience.
Overall, the osteria offers some truly excellent dishes, particularly the beef tagliata and tortellacci pasticciati, but the experience was marred by a few oversights: the cured meats didn't live up to expectations, a portion of sausage that was too small, a side dish served incorrectly, and the discovery of plastic in the dessert. With greater attention to detail, the experience could be decidedly more compelling.
14/05/2026: We're here in Campobasso for a project with the Ministry of Health to combat bullying, and we came to eat at this very charming restaurant. Excellent food, very kind staff!