In the countryside of the Colli Orientali del Friuli, Taverna Orsone was born from Lidia Bastianich’s dream of “coming home”. Extremely famous in the United States, a precursor of celebrity chefs as they would say in television jargon and a fervent ambassador of Italian cuisine in the world, Lidia arrived in New York after the Second World War.

She had to leave her Istria, then Italian, because of the war, but she did not give up and, right in the United States, she began a successful journey made up of restaurants, books, TV programs, as well as a television production company, dedicated to regional recipes and traditions.

Orsone is a place we have long desired, where we can strengthen our roots. It is a return to Italy, which we reluctantly left at the end of the 1940s and which today is a source of joy, new encounters and experiences.

(Lidia & Joe Bastianich)

Another well-known face on television and on the coolest rock stages on the planet, her son Joe began working in his mother Lidia’s restaurants; and his passion, not only for music with the Folk/Bluegrass and Blues band La Terza Classe, but also for Italy and the restaurant world, led him to become one of the most beloved judges on MasterChef.

Together, Lidia and Joe decided to purchase vineyards in 2 distinct areas of the DOC Friuli Colli Orientali in 1997, giving life to the Cantina Bastianich. In 2013 they created the adjacent Orsone, their Italian “home” named after the hill that hosts the estate, where they can propose the Friulian tradition combined with the American one, giving life to dishes with an international flavor.

Since 2022, the restaurant’s manager is Michele Simcic, with previous experience at La Subida Sirk, who works closely with Joe to offer the best Nebraska fine meats aged and cooked in the Josper oven, yummy hamburgers, and delicious American desserts such as cheesecakes and brownies.

In the cheerful and informal menu, we also find, especially on request for special events, the most typical products of Friuli Venezia Giulia, such as frico cheese in vegetarian hamburgers, D’Osvaldo from Cormons ham, or fried polenta.

The wine list is excellent, another great love of Joe, which offers the best of the production of the nearby Cantina Bastianich, such as its Cru wines, Vespa Bianco, Vespa Rosso, Plus and Calabrone, as well as its award-winning Friulano.

There are many events scheduled at Orsone throughout the year, starting with all the traditional American celebrations, such as the 4th of July, up to the Brunch at Orsone, which is held on weekends twice a month, and the Thursday Special, every week, with the iconic smash burgers.

For a real experience, you can book a wine tasting at the Bastianich Winery and then a lunch or dinner at the restaurant. In winter reserve the long table “under” the stars and stripes flag in the large room with open kitchen and in summer the lovely wooden benches in the aromatic garden.

And don’t worry about the return, Orsone is also a B&B and offers 5 very well-kept rooms on the upper floors.

The Secrets

Joe Bastianich returns to Orsone and the winery several times a year, usually during the grape harvest, which he never fails to supervise.