Olio is one of the first places to open on popular Gemmayze street in 2005 which then expanded nationally in just a few years with a menu that's rich with Italian specialties. Olio became a favorite place for many - but the original restaurant on Gemmayze still stands out. Walk into a cozy set up of this three leveled Italian restaurant that boasts many attractive details. Starting from the light wood flooring to the small green chandeliers hung on the walls... Olio means a dish of many different ingredients and the name best describes this place. A fun mixture of interior details, good food and a pleasant ambiance all make up for this unique Italian spot.
Olio is a special Italian restaurant, owned by the same people behind "La Gondole" restaurant. Some of the details in the restaurant add a special touch to the overall brand as well as reflect on the owners passion for what they do... a great example is their personalized olive oil bottles by Zeit Boulos.
I had lunch there with some friends and enjoyed it to the maximum... their portions are big, the ingredients used are all fresh and the presentation of every dish is appetizing... The experience started with four pieces of Piadina or if you want to call it the Italian Mankouche:
Piadina is a thin Italian flatbread, typically prepared in the Romagna region. It is made with white flour, lard or olive oil, salt and water. The dough is traditionally cooked on a flat pans or electric griddles.
The details I liked:
- It all starts by the open kitchen facing the entrance. Clean and clear
- Green paper place-mats
- A green board on the facing wall with Olio's Specials featured on it
- Brick walls add an Italian ambiance
- Wood tables
- Brown leather chairs
- Large round chandelier pending from the walls
- A drinking bar overviews the main dining room
- A large painting on the left next to the mirror blended nicely with other smaller ones create a homogeneous feel
- Five small lights over the bar remind you of the two large imposing ones in the middle of the room
The menu sections:
- Bruschetta
- Antipasti
- Insalata
- Pasta e Risotto
- Carni
- Pizze
- Dolce
- Bibite et Caffe
- L'Olio (Extra virgin oil for sale)
We had for lunch:
- Insalata Carciofi (Fresh artichokes, purslane, Parmesan, rockets). A new item on the menu, part of Olio's specials. I recommend it.
- Calamari Alla Griglia (Marinated grilled calamari with wild greens) Fresh large pieces of Calamari with a salad on the side that is strong in taste, zesty, salt, pepper and being soft, easy to chew without inviting your clothes for a ride
- Bruschetta Olio (Cherry tomato, mozzarella buffala, basil on two pieces of toasted bread) olive oil and garlic. A simple piece of art that activates all your senses
- Siciliana Pizza (olives, sundries tomatoes, goat cheese, mozzarella, oregano, rosemary) generous, filled with ingredients, large, enjoyable and fulfilling
- Gnocchi Alla Crema di Tartufo: That is a WAW! truffle cream, pine nuts, fresh cream and Parmesan. A successful story it is
- Risotto with Asparagus. One of my favorite plates, perfectly prepared. Adequately cooked, perfectly seasoned and enjoyable to eat
- Foccacia al Caramello Con Gelato Alla Vniglia: Caramelized Focaccia with vanilla ice cream, almonds, bananas, caramel ice cream, crunchy sauce
- Honey Almond Ice Cream Pot: From La Gondole.
The pluses:
- I loved the place, its decoration and ambiance
- The food is really tasty
- The dishes are prepared with love and passion. It's much more than a simple dough and surely more than a simple cooked plate of rice. A blend of unique ingredients handpicked to satisfy your five senses
- The Caramel Foccacia dessert is mouthwatering. A must try!
The minuses:
- The welcoming bread basket must be more appealing; in the sense, add more bread to the basket or simply go for a smaller one.
- I loved the pizza but I would cook it a few minutes more just to add that crunchy feel to it.
