Antipasti & Starters

Italian Antipasti in Santa Rosa — Capriciano Osteria
Begin every great Italian meal the way it was always meant to start — at the heart of Santa Rosa’s wine country.

For Italian antipasti in Santa Rosa, our dinner menu offers cold and warm starters, served from 5 PM six nights a week.

At Capriciano, antipasti are far more than an opening act — they are the first expression of who we are. As an authentic Italian restaurant in Santa Rosa, our cold starters draw from Sicilian and coastal Italian traditions, while our warm dishes emerge from the wood-fire kitchen. From oysters on the half shell to grilled octopus over open flame, every antipasto is designed to awaken the palate and set the tone for a long, lingering wine country evening.

What Makes Our Antipasti Special?

The Italian Tradition
Antipasti — literally “before the meal” — has welcomed Italian guests to the table for centuries. At our Santa Rosa osteria, we honor this tradition with both cold and warm preparations made fresh in our kitchen each day. Our raw bar features oysters from rotating coasts with a seasonal mignonette. Our warm Italian starters, from golden Calamari Fritti to grilled octopus over open flame, are cooked to order and arrive just as they should: unhurried, perfectly seasoned, and made to be shared with the whole table.
Highlights From the Antipasti Menu
  • Oysters on the Half Shell — rotating coast varieties with seasonal mignonette
  • Carpaccio di Gamberi Rosso — Sicilian chili, passion vinaigrette, avocado purée, croutons, arugula
  • Beef Carpaccio — Sicilian chili, truffle vinaigrette, croutons, dijonnaise, arugula
  • Grilled Octopus — warm grilled octopus, tomato caper sauce, lemon, crushed potatoes, arugula
  • Calamari Fritti — ocean catch calamari, lightly breaded and fried, spicy aioli, lemon
  • Capriciano Graze Platter — chef’s selection of three cheeses, prosciutto, mostarda di frutta, toasted bread
Is Antipasti Right for Your Evening?
Our starters pair beautifully with:
  • An Italian aperitivo to open the evening
  • Wine country date nights
  • Family-style sharing for the whole table
  • Large group celebrations
  • A glass of crisp Italian white wine
  • Sonoma County anniversaries and milestones
  • Pre-theater dining before a night out
  • An intimate evening for two
Whether you are building toward a full Italian feast or simply stopping in for a glass of wine and a few bites to share, our antipasti course in Santa Rosa is always the right place to begin. There is no wrong way to enjoy the table — only better and best.
What to Expect at Your Table
Our antipasti arrive as you would expect at a proper Italian osteria — unhurried, beautifully plated, and sized for sharing. Cold preparations come chilled from the kitchen; warm dishes arrive straight from the firewood flame. Your server will always be nearby to recommend a wine pairing from our Italian and California wine list, or flag the evening’s specials. No rush, no shortcuts — just the pleasure of a table done right.
Why Start With Antipasti?
The Art of the Beginning

In Italian dining, the first course sets the rhythm for everything that follows. Our antipasti are designed to slow the meal down, open the senses, and ease everyone into the evening. Order a few and let the table linger — that is the whole point.

Designed for Sharing

Italian food is communal by nature. Our starters are portioned for the table, not the individual — generous, family-style, and easy to pass around. Order a little extra; in Italy, no one regrets one more antipasto.

Italian Antipasti in Santa Rosa: Freddi and Caldi

Ordering Italian antipasti in Santa Rosa at Capriciano means choosing between two sections of the dinner menu. Antipasti Freddi are the cold plates: Oysters on the Half Shell, Beef Carpaccio, a shrimp carpaccio called Carpaccio di Gamberi Rosso, Bruschetta al Pomodoro on homemade focaccia, and the Capriciano Graze Platter with the chef’s three cheeses, prosciutto and mostarda di frutta. Antipasti Caldi arrive warm, from Zuppa della Toscana to Grilled Octopus with tomato caper sauce, lemon and crushed potatoes. Order one to begin, or several for the table.

Oysters on the half shell with mignonette and lemon, Italian antipasti in Santa Rosa at Capriciano Osteria
Beef Carpaccio with microgreens, a creamy drizzle and crispy croutons, seen from above at Capriciano Osteria
Close-up of Grilled Octopus with sauce, potatoes and yellow edible petals at Capriciano Osteria
Calamari Fritti with fried zucchini, grilled lemon and aioli, seen from above at Capriciano Osteria

What does antipasto mean?

Antipasto means “before the meal” in Italian. It is the course that opens dinner, before pasta, pizza or a main plate, and it is often shared around the table. On our menu the warm side includes Zuppa della Toscana with Italian sausage, white beans and Tuscan kale; Focaccia & Bagna Cauda with warm anchovy butter; Calamari Fritti with zucchini, spicy aioli and lemon; and Mamma Eleni’s Meatballs in tomato ragu over pomme puree.

Do you serve carpaccio?

Yes, two kinds. The Beef Carpaccio comes with Sicilian chili, truffle vinaigrette, croutons, dijonnaise and arugula. The Carpaccio di Gamberi Rosso is made with shrimp and dressed with Sicilian chili, passion vinaigrette, avocado puree, croutons and arugula. Both are served raw, as are our oysters on the half shell. Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness. Ask your server if you have any questions before you order.

Is there burrata on the menu?

Yes. Burrata comes in our Burrata Salad, listed under Insalate on the dinner menu, with baby arugula, grilled seasonal fruit, heirloom tomato, basil, pistachio and aged balsamic. Order it as a starter alongside the antipasti or as a lighter course of its own. The same section offers La Barbabietola Rossa, with beetroot, goat cheese, honey, walnuts and aged balsamic, and the Capriciano Salad with baby kale, strawberry, shaved vegetables and lemon dressing.

When can I order Italian antipasti in Santa Rosa at Capriciano?

Any time we are open for dinner: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5 to 9:30 PM, and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 10 PM. We are closed on Tuesdays. Walk-ins are welcome when we have a table, and we recommend booking ahead for weekends, for parties of four or more and for special occasions. A few plates and a wine-based aperitivo such as Cocchi Americano make an easy start to the evening.

That is Italian antipasti in Santa Rosa, the osteria way. Start with a few plates for the table: reserve a table online or through OpenTable, and get directions to 505 Mendocino Ave before you set out.

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