Olivo

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

Dinner at Olivo on Friday night. The food and service was spot on. Can highly recommend this place.

May 07, 2012 

3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  3      Service  1      Value  4     

Meal was very average but the service was right up there with the worst I have ever experienced. After being seated we waited twenty minutes for anyone, then ordered three glasses of an italian sparkling. Another twenty minutes went by then a waiter brought us three glasses of wine, when I asked he said it was sparkling then walked away, it obviously wasn't! I then asked another waitress and after almost begging she agreed the wine wasn't sparkling, thirty minutes later we got the sparkling. Then my younger daughter asked the waitress for a lemonade and she replied I'm not a waitress and walked off only to get drinks for another table.

At that point we couldn't get out of there fast enough, paid for our average meals and left to have dessert else where, we would never go back.

May 05, 2012 

4.3 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  8      Service  1      Value  3     

Felt absolutely happy entering and being seated service was a bit slow to start off with but once ordered our drinks came promptly followed by our entrees. These were beautiful y partner had the arancini balls and I had the mussels which I commented I wanted to drink all the sauce/soup. Before I could finish my enter the mains came to the table where the waiter then stood there holding them waiting for me to finish my entree. I was unable to finish my entree completely before they started clearing the table. Then I proceeded to cut into my rib which by this time was over cooked so disappointed paid for what we had ate which didn't include the mains and left. Very disappointed especially for a restaurant on the water in darling harbour.

Feb 26, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  9     

I was at Olivo with my boyfriend for valentines day it was so good even day gave us rose chocolate, so kind of them thank you Olivo everything was great.

Feb 15, 2012 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  9     

I was there with my family for dinner. It was really good service, good food specially thanks for all staff that they look after us very well.

Feb 08, 2012 

3 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  6      Service  1      Value  1     

View good, value for meal was 0. Waited for our mains, someone else got our order and we were asked by the main waiter if we would have their order. Were starving so said Yes. No thanks or anything. One waitress was lovely though and asked if we would have a tea or coffee to compensate. Won't go there again. The saltimbocca were 2 tiny broiled veal bits and did not jump in my mouth!

Dec 22, 2011 

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

We ate here last week, and very much enjoyed it. Expect a quick meal as opposed to a leisurely, lengthy meal. The service was quick, and very friendly, they even remembered our names as we left! Good value food too.

Dec 18, 2011 

3 Below Average

Food  3      Ambience  4      Service  3      Value  2     

We arrived at Olivio to face a group of waitstaff clustered around the door. We approached, waited, and awkwardly edged toward and around them until one offered to show us to a table.

The menu was brought to us and the specials were explained in a confused, uncertain manner. This was re-explained by several of the waitstaff - none of whom seemed to agree on the way the dinner special actually functioned.

I ordered a rare steak and creme brulee, my partner ordered roast duck and some form of chocolate cake. My steak arrived - rare indeed, but cold the way through. The mushrooms upon which it rested were hot but only by contrast. I didn't relish the idea of interacting further with the generally-hostile waitstaff, so I swallowed nausea and ate around the rock-hard gristle.

My partner's duck was at least hot but overcooked and slightly gritty. The creme brulee arrived but I couldn't judge its taste honestly with the thought of a stomachful of rotten meat occupying my mind. My partner's chocolate cake was as expected.

Given the dinner special, the meals cost $35 each, main, dessert and wine. Overall, I would rate the meals at below - "Pub Food", and as such the $35 price tag was slightly overpriced.

The venue was fine, slightly dark, but overlooking Darling Harbour, so scenic at best. I suspect the meal price includes a hefty rent component, along with the cost of hiring far too many waitstaff whose sole purpose in life seems to be standing around in adolescent groups, making diners uncomfortable.

Invest at your own peril.

Dec 08, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  7     

Darling Harbour is the only place we will happily sit at an outside table, as it's here that the people outside are there for the atmosphere and vibe, not just to mainline smoke after smoke after smoke after smoke. We shared a seafood platter and a bottle of wine whiling away a weekend arvo, and it was sensational.

A special mention to the young ones with heavy Euro accents serving us, they were wonderful, just a joy, their wonderful attitude and service ethic just made our meal here all the more enjoyable. The food, the vibe, the sun, great service, you can't get much better.

Dec 04, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  3      Ambience  7      Service  7      Value  6     

Taste is totally missing from food. As if a half cooked pasta was served. Proportions were not adequate for price. Overall its a disappointment. Great location, good ambiance and terrible food.

Nov 05, 2011