Pizzas at Osteria Italian Seafood, 1211 Herr Lane, in Louisville, Ky.
Provided by Molly Lott, Social M
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
As a first-time mom with a newborn – who loves going out to eat – I’ve been making a list of places around town that I think will make good lunch spots for me to bring my baby girl in a couple of months. Ample outdoor seating is key, as I’d like to avoid public indoor spaces as much as possible during cold and flu season. I also don’t want to be in a space where a crying baby might overpower nearby conversations and ruin the experience for fellow diners.
One place on my list is Osteria, the Italian seafood restaurant at 1211 Herr Lane owned by Jared Fox Matthews, whose other ventures include Lou Lou Food & Drink, Lou Lou on Market, Lou Lou in Middletown, and The Fox Den.
Matthews and I caught up to discuss Osteria’s fan favorites, new offerings, upcoming events, and the lunch special that I plan to take advantage of soon. Here’s the latest:
Osteria recently welcomed two well-known chefs
Matthews opened Osteria in 2023, in the Westport Village spot formerly occupied by Napa, a Louisville restaurant that operated for more than 20 years. He created the original menu with chef Seth Butkus, former executive chef at Napa, offering dishes that paired fresh seafood with Butkus’ pasta-making skills and Italian-cuisine background.
Three years later, the menu still highlights fresh seafood and housemade pastas. But a few months ago, Matthews made some changes to the Osteria team, adding two new members to the mix: Executive chef Henry Wesley, who has worked at Steakhouse Bourré Bonne, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, Le Moo, and 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Kitchen, to name a few; and chef de cuisine Erik Abraham, whose experience includes time at Varanese, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse, and Vincenzo’s.
“I joke around and say that there were two MVPs up for draft and we ended up locking them down,” Matthews said. “We’re excited about it.”
The Osteria menu features old favorites and fresh picks
With the addition of Wesley and Abraham, Matthews aims to keep the menu fresh while preserving established favorites.
Osteria fans can still find their go-to items, such as lobster bisque, ahi tuna wontons, and oysters on the half-shell. But with two new chefs given the freedom to put their own spin on the restaurant’s offerings, guests can also expect a few fresh new items. These include brick-oven pizzas, additional fresh pasta dishes, and several paninis on the lunch menu.
“I think a lot of people think this place might be a little too high-end to eat economically for lunch,” Matthews said, “(but that’s) not the case at all.”
He explained that the Pick Two Lunch Special – which includes a half salad or cup of soup and half a panini – is $17.
”You can eat here pretty reasonably for lunch.”
Osteria offers happy hour deals and space for private gatherings
Guests can also enjoy happy hour at both bar areas from 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Specials include select pizzas and small plates such as calamari, mussels, and tuna wontons. Happy hour also features an oysters and prosecco special, half-price wine by the glass, and deals on other drinks.
For anyone seeking space for an event, two private rooms are available: The Barrel Room, which seats 50; and the Vineyard Room, which seats 20. Both require a minimum spend, but there are no reservation fees.
All-you-can-eat lobster is making a comeback
Matthews and his team put on several events of their own throughout the year, with the next one coming up soon.
“We did all-you-can-eat lobster for our third anniversary, (and) we sold out in less than 48 hours – so we’re doing another one in November,” he said.
On Monday, Nov. 2, guests who make a prepaid $79 reservation on Osteria’s website will enjoy unlimited servings of a four-course feast featuring housemade focaccia, salad, pasta, and lobster. Reservations for kiddos ages 12 and younger are $40.
At press time, only a limited number of reservations remained – but lobster fans might have additional opportunities to partake.
”As long as it keeps going over well, we might try to do it once a month,” Matthews said of Lobster Night, adding that a Thanksgiving Italian family feast might be on the horizon as well.
Details are still being ironed out, but if it’s a go, customers can expect to find information on the restaurant’s website and social media channels.
Annual Christmas event returns for three nights
One confirmed holiday event is the Feast of the Seven Fishes, an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition that Osteria has offered since its opening. This year, the feast will be available on Dec. 22, 23, and 24.
“The chef comes up with seven different fish dishes, and you can bring your whole family,” Matthews said, adding that his love of bringing people together over food extends outside of the restaurant.
He’s also on the board of Love City, a nonprofit in the Portland neighborhood. The organization operates an elementary school, community gardens, and an affordable barbecue restaurant.
Matthews’ own restaurants have supported Love City through various events, donating a portion of proceeds to the organization.
“That’s what it’s all about,” he said, “just kind of loving your neighbors and stuff like that.”
Know a restaurant that would make a great feature? Email writer Lennie Omalza at aloha@lennieomalza.com or Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory at kgregory@gannett.com.
Osteria Italian Seafood
WHAT: This is an upscale restaurant that serves fresh seafood and homemade pasta.
WHERE: 1211 Herr Lane, Louisville, Ky.
SERVICES: Indoor dining, outdoor seating, carryout, private dining, and catering; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
CONTACT: osterialouisville.com, 502-423-5822
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Osteria adds new chefs, brings back all-you-can-eat lobster night
Reporting by Lennie Omalza, Special to The Courier Journal / Louisville Courier Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Veal marsala at Osteria Italian Seafood, 1211 Herr Lane, in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Molly Lott, Social M USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Bucatini alle aglione at Osteria Italian Seafood, 1211 Herr Lane, in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Molly Lott, Social M USA TODAY Network, Reuters 
Shrimp cocktail at Osteria Italian Seafood, 1211 Herr Lane, in Louisville, Ky. Provided by Molly Lott, Social M USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Copyright Reuters or USA Today via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published October 27, 2026 at 5:01 AM.
Dining and Cooking