My boyfriend and I went for dinner and had an amazing experience. The food was served to perfection and we had a great time. The atmosphere is perfect for date night and the staff was very kind and attentive. For drinks we had the Sauvignon Blanc and the Cava Gimlet, both 10/10. For dinner we ordered the short rib special and the Cornish Hen, also both 10/10. Both dishes were cooked to perfection where the meat melts in your mouth. Definitely recommend and definitely will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Short Ribs, Cornish Hen
SteveZ
Outstanding Basque cuisine prepared as it would be in San Sebastián. Service was attentive without being overbearing. We wish we lived closer so we could go more often. One of our top dining experiences
amber lewis
I’d honestly recommend eating before you come here or going somewhere after to eat because you will be hungry when you leave. The portions are so small and the menu is small as well. The bread was hard and cold. The service was great everyone was friendly and kind, the establishment was clean and beautifully decorated. However the food was disappointing. I think for such a small meal it lacked flavor. I also was under the impression the cauliflower would be added to the dish. It came out puréed and decorated on the plate. It’s a great place for a first date, you’ll definitely indulge in more conversation than food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Tee Ortizz
Tried this place for the first time yesterday with my family and we had the best time. Great service, great dishes, and great drinks. I highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick
Food is absolutely delicious and our server, Jorge, was wonderful. He was attentive and kind. Sommelier that came to our table to offer wine suggestions offered a great wine recommendation - he wasn't exactly the most customer friendly person I've dealt with but the wine was great. The menu was pre fixe for Valentine's Day and we made reservations as required. I was unaware that we had “Bar Seating” in our reservation which I don't mind given how busy Valentine's Day is. We were happy to get a reservation at all. The issue I had with the restaurant is that when we arrived (as I said I was unaware we had bar seating only) I asked if my fiancée and I could sit at a table by the window because it was empty and was a great place to sit. The hostess sat us there and was very kind. A couple minutes later, a woman who worked there that never introduced herself or let us know her role with the restaurant, told us we were not supposed to be sitting there and our reservations were for the bar. I apologized and said I was unaware and the hostess sat us there after I requested it. She was incredibly rude telling us that while we didn't have the move, we were causing big problems for her as someone had requested our table in their reservation. Again, I offered to move and she declined the offer. Why come to our table, as we are seated and settled in, tell us that we are causing an issue for you that was obviously not intentional on our part, then tell us we don't have to move? Completely ridiculous - made my fiancée and I incredibly uncomfortable. Long story short: the food is amazing, the service is wonderful, and whoever works front of house is unprofessional. We'll definitely be back but I'm hoping the next time is better.
Ed San
We have an amazing dinner ..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mini Potato Croquettes, Ceviche Mixto, Torrija, Pulpo Y Socarrat, Sea Scallops
LW52
I don't know why, but we have not been to Olea in a while. From the hospitality at the door, to the table service, to the food and of course the cocktails and wine, to the dessert. Fantastic! The gentleman who I must assume is either the proprietor or manager made us feel like old friends, as did the lady that checked my coat, thank you. We will be back very soon.
Dara Pappas
Lovely date night spot! Service was impeccable and food was great. Also a solid option for a nicer dinner with family
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sea Scallops
Paula White
Everyone loved it. Great menu. Beautiful and thoughtful presentation of the food. The Chef is a culinary master.Even the vegetarian entree was a delightful combination of crispy and tender roasted vegetables over a bed of polenta. Really delicious. The duck was perfectly tender with a slightly crispy finish. Fantastic sauces to highlight each entree. Other recommendations- the salad, charcuterie and the oxtail croquettes.Desert was delicious. We had the tropical and the torrija. Yum!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food. Beautiful and thoughtful presentation. The Chef is a culinary master. Even the vegetarian entree was a delightful combination of crispy and tender roasted vegetables over a bed of polenta. Really delicious. The duck was perfectly tender with a slightly crispy finish. Fantastic sauces to highlight each entree. Other recommendations- the salad, charcuterie and course- dessert -the tropical and the torrija.
Everything from service to food to drinks was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Textures
dcrow
A favorite restaurant in the area. Service is attentive. Staff goes above and beyond to please. Had Octopus, a salad special and fish of the day-Branzino, perfectly prepared and deboned with shell fish in a delicious subtle sauce.
Kimchi
Came here for dinner and was disappointed with the service. Felt like they didnt want to serve us. We felt very unhappy. The manager was very rude and the way the look at us was very uncomfortable. It seem like they only want to serve their own type of people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
RichardE
Olea has long been a favorite of mine and my wife, along with my faculty and trainee compatriots at the Yale School of Medicine, which is a fifteen minute walk away from the restaurant. Last evening we quite enjoyed a dinner reunion with friends from northern Connecticut. The bronzino special, decorated with clams, was delicious, following the also special blini appetizer adorned with a sprinkling of caviar. Each of the four deserts were tasty ways to cap off the top drawer dinner. I have been a fan of Olea for a couple of decades, and last evening it once again hit the spot. This restaurant remains at the top of my list in the highly competitive New Haven cuisine milieu.
Huong To
Visited for dinner and dissatisfied with the service. Despite our waiter being nice, an older man, presumably in charge, was rude and singled out our table. He repeatedly approached us at the back table near the kitchen, insisting we couldn't take photos, claiming it disturbed other guests. He even stated we had to wait until everyone left to take photos, an uncommon rule in our dining experiences. When the birthday girl proposed taking photos where no guests were present, he still denied it, asserting his restaurant, his rules.
My boyfriend and I went for dinner and had an amazing experience. The food was served to perfection and we had a great time. The atmosphere is perfect for date night and the staff was very kind and attentive. For drinks we had the Sauvignon Blanc and the Cava Gimlet, both 10/10. For dinner we ordered the short rib special and the Cornish Hen, also both 10/10. Both dishes were cooked to perfection where the meat melts in your mouth. Definitely recommend and definitely will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Braised Short Ribs, Cornish Hen
Outstanding Basque cuisine prepared as it would be in San Sebastián. Service was attentive without being overbearing. We wish we lived closer so we could go more often. One of our top dining experiences
I’d honestly recommend eating before you come here or going somewhere after to eat because you will be hungry when you leave. The portions are so small and the menu is small as well. The bread was hard and cold. The service was great everyone was friendly and kind, the establishment was clean and beautifully decorated. However the food was disappointing. I think for such a small meal it lacked flavor. I also was under the impression the cauliflower would be added to the dish. It came out puréed and decorated on the plate. It’s a great place for a first date, you’ll definitely indulge in more conversation than food.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 5
Tried this place for the first time yesterday with my family and we had the best time. Great service, great dishes, and great drinks. I highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food is absolutely delicious and our server, Jorge, was wonderful. He was attentive and kind. Sommelier that came to our table to offer wine suggestions offered a great wine recommendation - he wasn't exactly the most customer friendly person I've dealt with but the wine was great. The menu was pre fixe for Valentine's Day and we made reservations as required. I was unaware that we had “Bar Seating” in our reservation which I don't mind given how busy Valentine's Day is. We were happy to get a reservation at all. The issue I had with the restaurant is that when we arrived (as I said I was unaware we had bar seating only) I asked if my fiancée and I could sit at a table by the window because it was empty and was a great place to sit. The hostess sat us there and was very kind. A couple minutes later, a woman who worked there that never introduced herself or let us know her role with the restaurant, told us we were not supposed to be sitting there and our reservations were for the bar. I apologized and said I was unaware and the hostess sat us there after I requested it. She was incredibly rude telling us that while we didn't have the move, we were causing big problems for her as someone had requested our table in their reservation. Again, I offered to move and she declined the offer. Why come to our table, as we are seated and settled in, tell us that we are causing an issue for you that was obviously not intentional on our part, then tell us we don't have to move? Completely ridiculous - made my fiancée and I incredibly uncomfortable. Long story short: the food is amazing, the service is wonderful, and whoever works front of house is unprofessional. We'll definitely be back but I'm hoping the next time is better.
We have an amazing dinner ..
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Mini Potato Croquettes, Ceviche Mixto, Torrija, Pulpo Y Socarrat, Sea Scallops
I don't know why, but we have not been to Olea in a while. From the hospitality at the door, to the table service, to the food and of course the cocktails and wine, to the dessert. Fantastic! The gentleman who I must assume is either the proprietor or manager made us feel like old friends, as did the lady that checked my coat, thank you. We will be back very soon.
Lovely date night spot! Service was impeccable and food was great. Also a solid option for a nicer dinner with family
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sea Scallops
Everyone loved it. Great menu. Beautiful and thoughtful presentation of the food. The Chef is a culinary master.Even the vegetarian entree was a delightful combination of crispy and tender roasted vegetables over a bed of polenta. Really delicious. The duck was perfectly tender with a slightly crispy finish. Fantastic sauces to highlight each entree. Other recommendations- the salad, charcuterie and the oxtail croquettes.Desert was delicious. We had the tropical and the torrija. Yum!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food. Beautiful and thoughtful presentation. The Chef is a culinary master. Even the vegetarian entree was a delightful combination of crispy and tender roasted vegetables over a bed of polenta. Really delicious. The duck was perfectly tender with a slightly crispy finish. Fantastic sauces to highlight each entree. Other recommendations- the salad, charcuterie and course- dessert -the tropical and the torrija.
Restaurantji Recommends
Everything from service to food to drinks was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chocolate Textures
A favorite restaurant in the area. Service is attentive. Staff goes above and beyond to please. Had Octopus, a salad special and fish of the day-Branzino, perfectly prepared and deboned with shell fish in a delicious subtle sauce.
Came here for dinner and was disappointed with the service. Felt like they didnt want to serve us. We felt very unhappy. The manager was very rude and the way the look at us was very uncomfortable. It seem like they only want to serve their own type of people.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Olea has long been a favorite of mine and my wife, along with my faculty and trainee compatriots at the Yale School of Medicine, which is a fifteen minute walk away from the restaurant. Last evening we quite enjoyed a dinner reunion with friends from northern Connecticut. The bronzino special, decorated with clams, was delicious, following the also special blini appetizer adorned with a sprinkling of caviar. Each of the four deserts were tasty ways to cap off the top drawer dinner. I have been a fan of Olea for a couple of decades, and last evening it once again hit the spot. This restaurant remains at the top of my list in the highly competitive New Haven cuisine milieu.
Visited for dinner and dissatisfied with the service. Despite our waiter being nice, an older man, presumably in charge, was rude and singled out our table. He repeatedly approached us at the back table near the kitchen, insisting we couldn't take photos, claiming it disturbed other guests. He even stated we had to wait until everyone left to take photos, an uncommon rule in our dining experiences. When the birthday girl proposed taking photos where no guests were present, he still denied it, asserting his restaurant, his rules.