Oliveto

Okay food, horrible service. The manager and waiters and waitresses all seemed extremely arrogant.

My mom and I came here for dinner and was told that they can only seat us for 1.5 hours because they are all booked. When we left - there were still plenty of free tables.

The waitress was polite but unfriendly and inattentive. She forgot our water, our lemon, and the wine came late. I had to ask for bread multiple times. It seemed like they were just rushing us through dinner because I wasn't even done with my plate when they took it away without asking. Not recommended unless you are willing to be treated like garbage.
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Amy
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Monday, June 16, 2008

I took my wife and my two Canadian cousins for a meal at this restaurant yesterday evening after a recommendation from a friend.

The food, when it arrived, was of a high standard. Presentation was slightly disappointing in its simplicity which usually I go for, however on this occasion I think my wife could have done better....sorry dear!

The service from the four or five waiting staff was frankly poor given that they had to deal with maybe 10-12 tables. Maybe those from the local area do not liked to be fussed and enjoy pooring their own wine, waiting for 30 minutes to have their orders taken and being served by three different people for one course, I didn't. Luckily enough for me, our guests were simply enjoying a break away from their four children and thanks to some excellent wine were not at all bothered. If it had been a business meal I would have been a little embaresed though.

On balance, I don't think I would to choose to eat an evening meal at this restaurant again but would definately pop in for the linguini with fresh crab for lunch with a bottle of their red wine.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Have to agree with most posters. The food - when it came - was excellent; my fellow diners particularly enjoyed their linguine with crab and spaghetti with grated bottarga. But the service, after a friendly greeting, was extremely poor; we all felt that we were being relegated for being obviously neither in suits nor clearly moneyed, and even though the manager did come over at one point to apologise for the delay in our main course arriving - the people at the next table, who'd arrived after us, had finished their main course before ours arrived - we were offered no recompense at all, save for one decaf espresso not being charged to our final bill. Service wasn't included on the bill, and we gave them none. I don't suppose it means anything to Oliveto, but we left very, very disappointed, and somewhat mystified. If you're on expenses and want to impress a client with unusual, well-prepared food, then it's probably not a bad bet, but if you just want to enjoy a good meal with efficient, unobtrusive service - look elsewhere.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Thursday, May 17, 2007

I took some visiting Italian friends for lunch, who said that the special Sardinian dishes were quite hard to find in Milan. The food was delicious, the service polite but perhaps a little inattentive, the prices were higher than average at just under £50 per head for three courses, a bottle of wine, coffee and service. Smoke levels were quite tolerable, even for me, a non-smoker. Very clean and modern, but functional environment. A good place to take valued friends.
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Tony Thomson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, January 05, 2007

Good local restaurant, except for the odd Victoria passers by, excellent Italian food, moody service...
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 6
Friday, January 05, 2007

Great food if you can tolerate the fact that they allow smoking througout the restaurant. They just don't get the fact that those of us who don't smoke don't want to share a ciggy with our neighbors at the next table. Let's hope the government acts soon and this place will be perfect. Service isn't a high priority but the food is excellent.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 7
Saturday, November 11, 2006

I have been to this restaurant many times but had not been for a while. My last visit was disppointing. The smoke was appalling. We were stuck next to a table with four people all lighting up between each course. Service was poor this seemed to be due to the fact that the usual person who takes the order was not in the restaurant that evening. The replacement was unable to handle his staff and there seemed to be confusion and arguments. We waited at least 20 minutes before our order was taken. On a more positive note the food was excellent as usual.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Monday, October 30, 2006

Great food but not great service. The restaurant was only half full, and there were plenty of staff, but prompt and attentive service seemed to be low down their priority list. The food is excellent though, so if you are not in a rush or bothered by the lack lustre approach to service, this is an enjoyable and good value restaurant.
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Zoe
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 31, 2006

The food is just great, the wines superb, the service can be better, but the fact they allow smoking is a killer. I'll have to think twice before going back.
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Ron Harvey
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, April 23, 2006

I LOVE Oliveto! The food is just superb, and the staff are always cheery and courteous. There is a great wine list with some Sardinian 'gems'. The atmosphere is upbeat; the only criticism I have is that they allow smoking throughout. Its best to book (for lunch of dinner) because the restaurant is always full. I would always recommend Oliveto for someone who enjoys quality Italian.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, March 21, 2006