Olio

7.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  6     

We dined here several weeks ago on a Thursday evening. Overall it was a nice experience, the service from the waiter was quite good (though the restaurant was quiet). We had 2 mains, both of which was sufficient. Though I believe the menu was a little overpriced for the average Sydneysider, but for a restaurant at St Leonards, it's probably just about right.

Sep 03, 2010 

7.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  6     

Disappointed they removed the duck sausages before I got to try them as everyone was recommending them. The greek lamb was a little on the dry side for me but still great tasting overall.

On my second visit, the salmon cake entree were well cooked and tasted fresh. The pan seared fish and scallops were also cooked to perfection. Their desserts were also very good as well with a home made vanilla ice cream and chocolate fondant being of very high quality.

Portion wise, the dishes are ok but you will need to order entree, main and dessert if you are hungry. On Friday nights they have live music which is enjoyable and helps you relax after a long working week. Shame they aren't open on the weekends. Recommended.

Aug 26, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I have been to Olios a few times in the last year and the place just keeps getting better. The Greek lamb is fantastic and the new special beef cheek was just melt in your mouth yummy. Very reasonably priced for the excellent quality of the food. Planning next trip back already.

May 26, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  8     

We had an amazing meal! The greek lamb is sensational but the duck sausages stole the show! The service was great. Our only gripe was having to look at stacked chairs in the alfresco area which made us feel that we were being hurried out of the restaurant. Still, with food this good we will be back again and again and again!

May 22, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

I went to Olio for a work-day lunch last week and was pleasantly surprised. Our waiter was pleasant and extremely helpful, the food was promptly prepared and served and was very fresh and tasty. I will definitely be back to Olio again (soon!).

Mar 22, 2010 

6.5 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  6     

I come here occasionaly with work colleagues. The food I have had has always been deliciou, however, I find the service a bit slow at times, we once had a group of 6, 4 of which ordered exactly the same thing but it all came out at different times. It is a bit noisy for my liking.

Oct 09, 2009 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

What I love about this place is how tasty and fresh the meals are. Love dining here. I recently came for brekkie. Wow, it pumps in the morning. I can see why great coffee and an impressive menu.

Sep 29, 2009 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

The food has always been great at Olio. The service is quick and friendly without being pretentious. For food of this quality the prices are very reasonable. You can just tell when a place is going to be good. Lunch times are buzzing and I saw three baristas going hard at it on the coffee front for an entire breakfast. They never stopped! Had to have one myself just to see what the deal was. It was organic coffee and made to perfection.

Sep 10, 2009 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

We just keep coming back. Great friendly service, and fantastic food
keep up the good work. Love the gnocchi.

Sep 07, 2009 

5.5 Average

Food  5      Ambience  5      Service  7      Value  5     

I rated mostly mediocre, because that was a good word for my experience here.
I live upstairs in the forum apartments so my partner and I came down for a close to home meal, that wasn't takeaway. In all honesty, I've had takeaway that was tastier, fresher, and better priced!

The mushroom tart had tasty mushrooms, but the tart must have been store-bought and frozen/refridgerated. If not, they really need lesson in pastry, making. I discarded that part. Too bad since half the reason you get a tart is for the pastry. The calamari salad was pretty plain and boring, my partner claimed there must have been MSG in it. I'd like to think aussie restaurants stopped using msg years ago when that was a big issue. So I won't agree or disagree with that.

I had gnocchi for my main and again, the gnocchi appeared to have been store-bought and frozen/refridgerated. It was disgusting. The accompanying ingredients made the sauce nice, but you get gnocchi for the gnocchi! They even looked unappetizing, all wrinkled. How does gnocchi even become wrinkled?! I don't remember what my partner had for main, which said how memorable it was.

I had a piece of cheese that was nice, and I liked the bread and butter pudding, but it was not a good quality one. It just tasted good because all the butter and fat and the ice cream. I hope that makes sense. The 3 wines (by the glass, we're not drunks I swear!) were pretty good. The wine list wasn't stunning but it wasn't too bad either. Some good choices if you know how to choose.

Portions were appropriate. The service was very good. There were only about 8 people in the restaurant on a weeknight, so I should hope so. Oh and I should comment on the temperature of the meals, it was very good. Nice and hot, but not too hot. Oh and they had a cheap option, 2 courses and a glass of wine for, 35$ I think.

So in summary, if you are a seasoned food nut, avoid. If you live in the area and don't feel like venturing far and don't want takeaway and you don't have an overwhelmingly sophisticated palate, come here to save a few bucks and leave full.

Sep 04, 2009