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Olivo

Italian, Sardinian·
££££
·

SquareMeal Review of Olivo

The eldest member of Mauro Sanna’s small family of Sardinian restaurants remains a popular destination for office workers and locals who appreciate its friendly charm. The gold-and-blue colour scheme is starting to show its age, but regulars still pack the place – particularly for the decent-value lunch menu. Char-grilled radicchio with speck or baby cos lettuce salad with pecorino dressing sound appetising, ahead of Sardinian malloreddus pasta with homemade sausage and tomato sauce or calf’s sweetbreads accompanied by green beans sautéed with ham; after that, check out the Sardinian cheeses or lemon and mascarpone cake. A few extra dishes such as cassola (a regional fish stew) are added to the evening carte – although prices go up as the sun goes down. Like its siblings Oliveto, Olivomare and Olivocarne, Olivo’s all-Italian wine list makes a feature of Sardinia.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Italian, Sardinian
Ambience
Cosy, Traditional
Food Hygiene Rating

Location

21 Eccleston Street, London, London, SW1W 9LX

020 7730 2505 020 7730 2505

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Fri 12N-2.30pm Mon-Sun 6-10.30pm (Sun 6.30pm- )

Reviews

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3 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

Stephanie M

14 February 2010  
Food & Drink 0.5
Service 1
Atmosphere 1.5
Value 0.5
We booked a table for two at dinner and it didn’t start on the right foot. After having being unwarmly welcomed by the manager allegedly for being slightly late (but we called in advance to let them know) we take our seat in a half empty restaurant on a Saturday night. We ordered “Spaghetti alla Bottarga” (Bottarga is salted mullet roe), a well known traditional Sardinian cuisine plate, but unfortunately the only traditional thing was the name, since the spaghetti were filled with a creamy sauce which was entirely covering the taste of the Bottarga. More unpleasantly the spaghetti came completely overcooked (not “al dente”) and were ready five minutes after having been ordered, suggesting that they were already (half?) cooked. The main course was Cod with Lentils, but came with a massive amount of garlic sauce. I think it is a common feature of “wannabe” Italian restaurants to fill their food with an excessive amount of garlic (which is certainly used in Italian cuisine but with moderation), but we were not expecting it from a self-proclaimed traditional Sardinian restaurant. Except for the unpleasant behaviour of the arrogant and rude manager, the service was ok but nothing over average. The real negative note of the dinner, however, came with the bill, far too much and too pricey for what the place actually offers. Absolutely not good value for money.

richard H

18 October 2009  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 4
Value 3.5
Beautiful food, fantastic atmosphere and friendly prompt service – dated decor! We had a lovely meal of very fresh food which was presented just as nicely, although our sea bream was a bit sardine sized and with no veg seemed a bit sparse, even for my size 8 girlfriend who doesn't have a workmans appetite! My lamb was superb and our companions meals were equally well received. I would visit here regularly as it is lovely, but I do hope they can look at the colour scheme.

Fabrizio F

20 July 2009  
Food & Drink 4
Service 4
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 4.5
Excellent family run Sardinian restaurant. Particularly convenient value for money the wine list.
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020 7730 2505 020 7730 2505

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