WORDS: Abi Prowse
PICTURES: Abi Prowse + Oblò Food & Drinks
You may be surprised, as I was, to stumble across a seafood restaurant in the cosmopolitan, landlocked city of Pordenone. Tucked beneath the elegant stone portici of its city centre, Oblò definitely does not resemble the traditional concept of an Italian fish restaurant, which tend to be found scattered primarily along the country’s ample coastline. But it is this sense of the unexpected, of the modest yet carefully-curated, which renders Oblò the most charming eatery in Pordenone – and in the surrounding area.
Pairing modernity and tradition in a way that can only truly be achieved in Italian kitchens, Oblò prides itself on its experimental yet simple menu. Like most good restaurants, Oblò’s menu is both small and seasonal, guaranteeing that whatever you choose to order is fresh and locally-sourced. Once you have settled at one of their low-lit tables, dappled across the cobbles of pedestrianised Via Gorizia, take in the atmosphere around you; the chatter of jubilant locals and clinking glasses echoes from the stone walls, forming the perfect soundtrack to any evening meal in Italy. If you prefer the relative tranquillity of indoor seating, Oblò’s interiors are as clean and aesthetic as you’d expect, contemporary details interspersed with lush green plants.
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Browsing the menu at Oblò Pordenone will leave your mouth watering. Once you’ve chosen your starter and main – and, of course, ordered a bottle of local Friulian wine – you’ll be served a picture-perfect appetizer. During my visit, this appetizer consisted of an arancini-style tuna ball on a bed of light tomato sauce. Fresh mussels were my starter, caught on the island of Pellestrina, at the southern tip of the Venetian lagoon. For my main, I opted for local delicacy gnocchi, served – of course – with a fishy twist in the form of soft crab meat, and garnished with a colourful splatter of edible flowers. Each of these dishes, so different from the last, was flawless in both presentation and flavour, exemplifying the very best of contemporary Italian cuisine.
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If you’re searching for your next date night location in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, want to celebrate with a group of good friends, or simply fancy treating yourself to a well-priced midweek meal for one, Oblò is the place to do this. Whether you’re drawn in by the place’s laid-back yet sophisticated air or by the otherworldly, ocean-fresh scents wafting from the open-plan kitchen, you won’t be disappointed. And, in true Friulian style, the team of friendly, professional waiters are always on-hand to make sure you’re never low on wine.
