Osteria Coppa Brings Artisan Pizza & Pasta to the Peninsula

SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Paying homage to authentic Italian cuisine while embracing a fresh, farm-to-table style, Osteria Coppa – a casually sophisticated new destination for artisan pizza and pasta – opens tonight in downtown San Mateo at 139 South B Street.  Offering house-made salumi, antipasti, and handcrafted pasta and pizza, Osteria Coppa's specialty is authentic Italian dishes made with market-fresh ingredients by Executive Chef Chanan Kamen.  

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Though Kamen has an impressive culinary resume given his youth, his post at the restaurant marks his debut as an executive chef.  Fresh from five years at Quince, where he worked his way up to executive sous chef under celebrated chef Michael Tusk, Kamen also worked for Traci de Jardin at Jardinere for a year and premier New York restaurants Picholine and Tabla.  The 29-year-old has traveled extensively, gaining hands-on experience in critically acclaimed kitchens throughout the U.S. and Europe including Italy, where he spent a year in the kitchen at seven different regional restaurants to experience each cooking style, six of which bear one or more Michelin stars.

"I'm excited to apply my experience and passion for Italian food at Osteria Coppa," said Kamen.  "We're handcrafting everything on the menu from scratch, using the freshest ingredients from purveyors and farmer's markets, curing our own salumi and hand-making our own pasta using methods I learned in European kitchens and at Quince."

Kamen was hand-selected for the role by Osteria Coppa's partners Paul and Julie Shenkman and acclaimed chef/partner Lewis Rossman.  The Shenkmans, who own Half Moon Bay hot spot Sam's Chowder House along with Rossman (Executive Chef at Sam's), have a strong track record of producing destination restaurants: Paul Shenkman founded Pasta Moon, and wife Julie joined him as an opening owner of highly acclaimed Cetrella Bistro & Cafe.  Seasoned general manager David Ostrom (Presidio Social Club, 1300 on Fillmore, Left Coast Restaurants) oversees Osteria Coppa's front of house operations.

Kamen's menu includes a house-cured salumi plate with lomo (pork tenderloin, mustard seed, pink peppercorn), mortadella, and duck prosciutto, as well as rustic Italian favorites, like an elegant agnolotti dal plin filled with veal, pork, and guinea hen; fettuccine with lobster, celery root and lemon verbena or tagliolini with smoked trout, peas and fresh horseradish.  Artisan pizza ranges from a simple but standout margherita to a luscious pie topped with spicy tomato sauce, Riverdog Farm Jimmy Nardello peppers, watercress, and tuna confit.

With a full bar, Osteria Coppa's predominantly Italian wine list also features wines from California, with an Italian "attitude."  The 4,200-square-foot space has 145 seats, including a 40-seat outdoor patio playfully dubbed "Coppa Cabana".  

About Osteria Coppa

Specializing in farm-to-table contemporary Italian cuisine.  Located at 139 South B Street, San Mateo, CA.  Full bar and outdoor seating.  Dinner served Tuesday through Friday 5-10pm, Friday/Saturday 5-11pm, and Sunday 5-10pm.  Reservations: (650) 579-6021 or visit http://www.osteriacoppa.com/.  Twitter @osteriacoppa.

SOURCE Osteria Coppa