It was good but not stellar to the level customers have praised this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Olio Italian Meatballs
Robin H.
I love the food here and the interior. We have had many dinners in the back room with a group, very private. Nothing on the menu disappoints.
Jordan Cohen
I have said it before and I will say it again. Olio is far superior than any other restaurant in the area. Everything from the Octopus and the yucca fries to the chicken parm and the pork chop are some of the best I have ever had. This restaurant always pushes the limits of innovation and always has fresh quality products (including the ingredients) on its menu. What puts this restaurant over the top is the home feel that you get from Steve the owner and chef. From the moment you walk in till the moment you walk out you feel like you are family.Highly highly recommended.
David Reilly
I’ve been going to Olio for years! After reading an unfortunate review on two dishes, I returned recently, and had the pleasure of trying the octopus and yuca fries at Olio, and let me tell you, it was an experience like no other. As an adventurous foodie, I was drawn in by a negative review that spoke of the “challenging preparations” offered at this . And I must say, in fact, they were incredible!!The octopus dish was a stroke of genius - a fresh take on a classic recipe that transported me back to a time when Sunday night Chinese food met high-end cuisine. The flavors were bold and captivating, and the texture of the octopus was cooked to absolute perfection. It was a true culinary masterpiece that left me wanting more.On the other hand, the yuca fries were a complete contrast to the challenging octopus dish. They were savory, crispy, and incredibly satisfying. The perfect accompaniment to the bold flavors of the octopus, the yuca fries added a comforting touch to the meal.I must give credit to Olio and Steve for constantly pushing the boundaries of flavor and creativity. Every visit to this establishment leaves me speechless, and I always walk away feeling like I've just experienced something truly special.I am grateful for the poor review that led me to try these two star dishes at Olio. They truly blew me away, and per usual—I cannot wait to return for more culinary adventures. Thank you for bringing these amazing dishes to my attention!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kelly Finn
Olio is one of my favorite spots in the area.I will always appreciate the artistry that is their open kitchen, and the professionalism they bring to their craft (solid service, complimentary bread with an amazing bean dip). That said, I notice the menu has been relatively consistent over the past 4 years, which surprises me. I think of Olio as a more premium experience, and expected it to follow with a more innovative menu that evolves more materially over time.On another note, I tried two appetizers as a main course: the octopus and the yuca fries. I had never tried either before and they weren’t great. While both aimed to be complex with flavor (which with the sauces, they were), it felt too heavy with how (deep) fried they were and the excess of the sauces.The octopus felt rubbery and all the flavor was masked by how fried it was and doused in a “bbq” sauce that way too closely resembled Chinese takeout general tso chicken. Unfortunately, it was a similar story with the lobster yuca fries which were blocks of friedness with barely detectable lobster. With each being ~$20, I felt the value was low and the flavors and freshness of the food sub-par, which I was not expecting from Olio.
Anthony H.
Once again Olio (Chef Steve) and his amazing staff brought a culinary delight to Valentine's Day with some great specials and a few great cocktails. Thank you ‼
Joe B.
I have been meaning to go back to Olio since a brunch party I attended many years ago, and finally I made it! This quaint restaurant is inviting, and the space seems clearly steeped in some local history, at least the building. The service did a nice job, continually cleaning plates and making sure everything went well. It wasn't too loud considering it's a small space, and the waiter was friendly and did a good job helping get us out of there as we had a show to catch. Now on to the food. Let me preface this by saying that I cook my own Italian food, so my standard is always high. We started with drinks, and I enjoyed the Basil Martini, though as suggested by the waiter, it wasn't very sweet. It had the feel of a pizza in a glass, which might be more bad than good. We then shared the pork bell appetizer, which were three small 2-3 inch cuts of pork belly, deep fried. On top were an assortment of pickled things including cabbage, cucumbers, and more. Each bite of this was two forkfulls of fatty, juicy, and perfectly fried porkbelly. They were my star. For my main dish, I had the chicken parmigiana with cavatelli in sauce. Now, I will say that cavatelli isn't my favorite type of pasta, but made in-house always enhances things. In this case, I let me brother finish off my pasta. The chicken parm was cooked well, had great flavor, and was overall good. A nice crispy cutlet, with just the right amount of 'stuff' on top. This isn't a 5 star because I don't think anything caught my attention to go back immediately for another go at it. But, I will go back, and I will try some other things and update to a five star after another visit where I believe there is the possibility to be more impressed by their food. So, to be continued!
Bonnie Nurick
Delicious, fresh and artfully presented. The octopus was over-the-top flavorful and tender. The duck was cooked to perfection. The gnocchi Amacricana was loaded with lobster, shrimp and scallops. The scallops were perfectly cooked and tasted incredible! The wine was well priced.Dietary restrictions: The chef came out to discuss my husband's dairy allergies. Because he cooks to order he could basically prepare anything he wanted.Parking is on the street or in the parking lot behind the restaurant.
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Stamford and I almost never feel that way about a New American restaurant. Definitely make a reservation, they are always busy and for good reason. From Korean BBQ short ribs to a tomato, cucumber, & burrata salad to chicken scarp and seared scallops - they are doing global fusion food WELL. Masterful even. Never have had a bad dish here and the food photos I included/presentation speak for itself. The visuals match the taste here. Cocktails are also strong and delicious. Servers are attentive and friendly. I did have one negative experience here but it's more representative of the community, not the restaurant. The experience here is so great they're bound to have regulars and that is who I had my bad encounter with. I was celebrating my birthday with a group of friends who had traveled from out-of-state to visit. We were laughing a lot as we were catching up when someone who claimed to be a regular at the restaurant approached our table to ask us if we could quiet down and basically said we were being too disruptive and that even the staff/manager agreed. One of my friends was mortified and we apologized to them but also explained the special occasion; the group seemed a bit more understanding after that. When our server came to check on us next, we apologized to him too - and he looked at us confusedly. He and the staff had no issues with our party. They had no idea that someone came to even talk to us! It was just the complaint of one entitled group of regulars who thought they had the right to speak for the establishment. We would've got dessert and at least another round of drinks after our meal before leaving but because of this group, we left abruptly and the restaurant themselves apologized profusely to us for that having happened. This experience as a whole made me like Olio even more though because they didn't just take the side of their regulars over our business, which I respected them for. Again, not a bad thing to say about Olio - best food and service in Stamford.
Deb C
The food was fantastic and we had an amazing experience. Our waiter Antonio was very attentive and gave us great food recommendations! To start we had the crispy octopus, and as main courses the pan roasted pork chop and gnocchi amatriciana. Everything was delicious and we cannot wait to go back!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loren Morrissey
We adore Olio. We have been coming since they opened every year for my birthday I bring a big group and we come many other times during the year as well We love Steve and his staff the food is outstanding. Wow. Over the moon great,
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe T.
The Chef , Steve know his craft. The food is AMAZING ! The ambiance is relaxing . You must eat here you won't regret it.
Marisa D.
All the food is really good, I like to go the the Saturday brunch. Their service is fast, never had any issues. They also have a nice dining area.
Went there for Valentines, and everything was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It was good but not stellar to the level customers have praised this
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Olio Italian Meatballs
I love the food here and the interior. We have had many dinners in the back room with a group, very private. Nothing on the menu disappoints.
I have said it before and I will say it again. Olio is far superior than any other restaurant in the area. Everything from the Octopus and the yucca fries to the chicken parm and the pork chop are some of the best I have ever had. This restaurant always pushes the limits of innovation and always has fresh quality products (including the ingredients) on its menu. What puts this restaurant over the top is the home feel that you get from Steve the owner and chef. From the moment you walk in till the moment you walk out you feel like you are family.Highly highly recommended.
I’ve been going to Olio for years! After reading an unfortunate review on two dishes, I returned recently, and had the pleasure of trying the octopus and yuca fries at Olio, and let me tell you, it was an experience like no other. As an adventurous foodie, I was drawn in by a negative review that spoke of the “challenging preparations” offered at this . And I must say, in fact, they were incredible!!The octopus dish was a stroke of genius - a fresh take on a classic recipe that transported me back to a time when Sunday night Chinese food met high-end cuisine. The flavors were bold and captivating, and the texture of the octopus was cooked to absolute perfection. It was a true culinary masterpiece that left me wanting more.On the other hand, the yuca fries were a complete contrast to the challenging octopus dish. They were savory, crispy, and incredibly satisfying. The perfect accompaniment to the bold flavors of the octopus, the yuca fries added a comforting touch to the meal.I must give credit to Olio and Steve for constantly pushing the boundaries of flavor and creativity. Every visit to this establishment leaves me speechless, and I always walk away feeling like I've just experienced something truly special.I am grateful for the poor review that led me to try these two star dishes at Olio. They truly blew me away, and per usual—I cannot wait to return for more culinary adventures. Thank you for bringing these amazing dishes to my attention!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olio is one of my favorite spots in the area.I will always appreciate the artistry that is their open kitchen, and the professionalism they bring to their craft (solid service, complimentary bread with an amazing bean dip). That said, I notice the menu has been relatively consistent over the past 4 years, which surprises me. I think of Olio as a more premium experience, and expected it to follow with a more innovative menu that evolves more materially over time.On another note, I tried two appetizers as a main course: the octopus and the yuca fries. I had never tried either before and they weren’t great. While both aimed to be complex with flavor (which with the sauces, they were), it felt too heavy with how (deep) fried they were and the excess of the sauces.The octopus felt rubbery and all the flavor was masked by how fried it was and doused in a “bbq” sauce that way too closely resembled Chinese takeout general tso chicken. Unfortunately, it was a similar story with the lobster yuca fries which were blocks of friedness with barely detectable lobster. With each being ~$20, I felt the value was low and the flavors and freshness of the food sub-par, which I was not expecting from Olio.
Once again Olio (Chef Steve) and his amazing staff brought a culinary delight to Valentine's Day with some great specials and a few great cocktails. Thank you ‼
I have been meaning to go back to Olio since a brunch party I attended many years ago, and finally I made it! This quaint restaurant is inviting, and the space seems clearly steeped in some local history, at least the building. The service did a nice job, continually cleaning plates and making sure everything went well. It wasn't too loud considering it's a small space, and the waiter was friendly and did a good job helping get us out of there as we had a show to catch. Now on to the food. Let me preface this by saying that I cook my own Italian food, so my standard is always high. We started with drinks, and I enjoyed the Basil Martini, though as suggested by the waiter, it wasn't very sweet. It had the feel of a pizza in a glass, which might be more bad than good. We then shared the pork bell appetizer, which were three small 2-3 inch cuts of pork belly, deep fried. On top were an assortment of pickled things including cabbage, cucumbers, and more. Each bite of this was two forkfulls of fatty, juicy, and perfectly fried porkbelly. They were my star. For my main dish, I had the chicken parmigiana with cavatelli in sauce. Now, I will say that cavatelli isn't my favorite type of pasta, but made in-house always enhances things. In this case, I let me brother finish off my pasta. The chicken parm was cooked well, had great flavor, and was overall good. A nice crispy cutlet, with just the right amount of 'stuff' on top. This isn't a 5 star because I don't think anything caught my attention to go back immediately for another go at it. But, I will go back, and I will try some other things and update to a five star after another visit where I believe there is the possibility to be more impressed by their food. So, to be continued!
Delicious, fresh and artfully presented. The octopus was over-the-top flavorful and tender. The duck was cooked to perfection. The gnocchi Amacricana was loaded with lobster, shrimp and scallops. The scallops were perfectly cooked and tasted incredible! The wine was well priced.Dietary restrictions: The chef came out to discuss my husband's dairy allergies. Because he cooks to order he could basically prepare anything he wanted.Parking is on the street or in the parking lot behind the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Spanish Octopus, Gnocchi Amatriciana
Fabulous creative chef, I highly recommend! Great surprise brunch as well! Fun eclectic gourmet menu!
Restaurantji Recommends
Hands down my favorite restaurant in Stamford and I almost never feel that way about a New American restaurant. Definitely make a reservation, they are always busy and for good reason. From Korean BBQ short ribs to a tomato, cucumber, & burrata salad to chicken scarp and seared scallops - they are doing global fusion food WELL. Masterful even. Never have had a bad dish here and the food photos I included/presentation speak for itself. The visuals match the taste here. Cocktails are also strong and delicious. Servers are attentive and friendly. I did have one negative experience here but it's more representative of the community, not the restaurant. The experience here is so great they're bound to have regulars and that is who I had my bad encounter with. I was celebrating my birthday with a group of friends who had traveled from out-of-state to visit. We were laughing a lot as we were catching up when someone who claimed to be a regular at the restaurant approached our table to ask us if we could quiet down and basically said we were being too disruptive and that even the staff/manager agreed. One of my friends was mortified and we apologized to them but also explained the special occasion; the group seemed a bit more understanding after that. When our server came to check on us next, we apologized to him too - and he looked at us confusedly. He and the staff had no issues with our party. They had no idea that someone came to even talk to us! It was just the complaint of one entitled group of regulars who thought they had the right to speak for the establishment. We would've got dessert and at least another round of drinks after our meal before leaving but because of this group, we left abruptly and the restaurant themselves apologized profusely to us for that having happened. This experience as a whole made me like Olio even more though because they didn't just take the side of their regulars over our business, which I respected them for. Again, not a bad thing to say about Olio - best food and service in Stamford.
The food was fantastic and we had an amazing experience. Our waiter Antonio was very attentive and gave us great food recommendations! To start we had the crispy octopus, and as main courses the pan roasted pork chop and gnocchi amatriciana. Everything was delicious and we cannot wait to go back!
Food: 5
Service: 5
We adore Olio. We have been coming since they opened every year for my birthday I bring a big group and we come many other times during the year as well We love Steve and his staff the food is outstanding. Wow. Over the moon great,
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Chef , Steve know his craft. The food is AMAZING ! The ambiance is relaxing . You must eat here you won't regret it.
All the food is really good, I like to go the the Saturday brunch. Their service is fast, never had any issues. They also have a nice dining area.