Olio Restaurant & Bar

My first time eating here and I am obsessed… So much to choose from on the menu it was hard to decide. Food was delicious and service was excellent

Awesome! Bar service was savvy and friendly. Menu is great, no one in our party was anything but thrilled. Our waitress was phenomenal. I do not eat dairy and she was very helpful. This place is nearly 50 minutes from my home, but I’ll be going back!

I read the reviews for this place, and while I try to go into every place with an open mind, I’d be lying if I said that the overwhelming positive reviews did not persuade me just a little bit.
Ambiance was low key yet classy. Friendly and attentive staff, but they give you your space too. That’s nice. I had a ginger cider (the only cider they had) and it was delicious. Ordered the New England clam chowder and roasted chicken with Cajun shrimp, steamed greens and mashed potatoes. The New England clam chowder had more of the consistency of soup in comparison to most chowders, but what it lacked in thickness it made up 10 fold in flavor. Very delicious. The best NE clam chowder I’ve eaten so far. The main course was flavorful, and just the right portion. It wasn’t meant to stuff you, but it also wasn’t meant to leave you hungry either. Simply perfect meal. First 5 star review I’ve given to a restaurant. Now off to karaōke!

Went to Olio last night for happy hour; place was pretty full by 5:00. But the drinks and food was flowingggg. Chef gave us some lamb Scottish eggs to try out. I’ve only had Scottish eggs once at an Irish Pub and did not like; they were dry, hard, and flavorless.
These Scottish eggs were phenomenal. I woke up this morning craving them hence this review. I almost ordered another batch but thought that might be a little much since we already ordered a couple apps. Steak bruschetta, truffle mac, always fantastic.
Bartender Heather always smiling and on her game. Alright, now I’m starving.

Our Shoreline Wine and Dine Group enjoyed a fabulous dinner here. There was 8 of us in our party, each one of us enjoyed our food. Not one issue with any of our meals. Which speaks volumes.
I asked our waitress if I can substitute something, she asked me what is it I would like I explained to her she said in sure it won’t be a problem let me ask the chef. It wasn’t a problem at all!
I had filet tips, with a mushroom Demi cream sauce, and mashed potatoes this was the best meal I’ve had in a very long time! It was so good I had to reframe from going back there today to get the same dish again. The steak was so tender, and the sauce was so delicious I honestly could of drank a glass of it. I think it could be a soup. The mashed potatoes were good as well.
Then dessert I was tossed as to what to get so many good desserts to choose from I opted for the banana chocolate ravioli. Sounds interesting right well it was so delicious. They were 4 raviolis fried and rolled in cinnamon sugar, served on a plate decorated with fudge and caramel served with ice cream!!! This too was a hit! The only problem I had was I didn’t notice that my plate was chipped and I cut my finger on the edge almost like a paper cut. I informed our waitress so it doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Other things enjoyed by my group was a steak that was highly praised as well, a few people had salads with shrimp which they enjoyed the shrimp were pretty big. Two other people had desserts crème brûlée one had the vanilla and the other was a special I believe a caramel one. Both enjoyed very much! One of the guests had a Olio coffee which she said was the best coffee! The presentation on all the food was so beautiful and tasted even better than it looked!
The service was great as well. We did have reservations because of the size of our group. Olio had our table all set for us with waters and everything. I would highly recommend Olio to anyone looking for a great meal with personalized touch! To the staff and to the CHEF Kudos to you! Thank you for making our dinner so enjoyable. We will definitely be back again!

Called about an hour before on New Year’s Eve and they found us a wonderful table! Tentative waitress named Stella was amazing — fast service despite very busy restaurant, made us feel like we were the only ones there. The riggatoni bolognese was delicious! We will def be back again! Great place

First time visit and would I come back? Maybe I had the swordfish and was not bowled over I have had better. I was surprised there was not more seafood on the menu. As for dessert it leaves a lot to be desired. Go some place else.

I was excited to visit Olio… the reviews on Unilocal were pretty good and the menu looked good. We started of with the fritters with smoked gouda and aoli sauce. The fritters were very bland and doughy. The sauce helped them but not much. The Thai calamari salad was not really a salad. It was fried calamari and noodles with a yum yum type sauce. It was a good idea but bad execution. Carrot cake was a weird consistency… almost like a fruit cake. Not very good at all. Our table mate ordered the gingerbread cake and it was old, stale, and hard as a brick… she sent it back. The services was ok. We had a party of 12… they should have put two wait staff on our table. I am hoping we caught them on a bad night.

What a lunch! We had wraps to die for…
The chicken salad wrap was delicious with big chunks of chicken and Bibb lettuce. The Thai wrap was good with shrimp and sticky rice. The bread was a must. Left with garlic breathe from the oil and cheese olive oil. What a great

Food was amazing and the service was great. Gerry was our server and he was amazing and friendly. The food portions were very large and I would go back in a heartbeat. Military friendly for sure.

My boyfriend and I LOVE Olio. I spent a while working at their sister restaurant– Red 36 when I first heard of Olio. We have never ever had a bad dish here. The food is superb and we have been there both for lunch, dinner and happy hour.
We have come for dinner a few times where is hasn’t been too busy and the service was mediocre. We are used to less than satisfactory service. More than often we don’t get the best service at restaurants because servers don’t think we will tip well due to our age. We’re used to it but we always tip well if the service deserves it!
The bread with olive oil and grated parmesan cheese they serve before the meal is delicious. I would recommend the stuffed avocado or the calamari off the appetizers. We’ve tried all the flatbreads and they’re all great. For entrees the rigatoni Bolognese is the best I have ever had. Hands down. I’ve gotten that pasta dish five times in a row when I went to Olio. Save room for dessert! The molten lava cake is baked to order and served with ice cream and whipped cream.
Ask for Jerry for a server, or sit at the bar for happy hour all night on Sunday’s with Didi!

Far and away, the best place for dinner, anywhere.
Yeah, yeah. That sounds like hyperbole, but I am practically begging them to take my money I am so happy by the end of each meal.
Truly, the service is great. When I started eating out as my now favorite past time, I didnt «dress» the part, if you will. They never made me feel less then and continue to this day to go above and beyond making me feel welcome. Any small mistake (which has been all of two minor missteps in the couple dozen times I have been there) have been corrected in manners that are over the top, and unnecessary considering how small the mistakes are.
The food is unmatched, and I usually chose from the specials board, in particular the seafood choice of the night.
Always happy, this place holds many memories, and is a great place to bring a date. Be prepared to spend some money, but the only thing stopping you from going is if you cherish medicority. Excellence is the only thing you’ll find here.

Great calamari app (banana peppers in there), also liked the lettuce wraps. A slight miss on the fish for my date (not the fish or the taste… but rather the pairing with fluffy egg noodles?). I had beef and loved it. Great service, a very personable and attentive fellow. A great place near family and will be back.

This is one of our go to restaurants for date night. Understand, we have two small children and nights out come few and far between. So it says a lot that when we have free time, this is often our destination.
The food is always perfect. The menu always has great variety. The service is always attentive and sincere, no matter how busy it is. The atmosphere is great. The prices are below average for the quality of food.
My ONLY complaint is that I never manage to stop stuffing my face full of the entrée and leave room for dessert.

Olio is why your dad always told you not to judge a book by its cover. Olio has the look and feel of a high quality dining experience, with the price and flouncy menu that a foodie-​driven restaurant should have, but takes a nose dive on delivering a product worth it all.
I’ve been here quite a few times, each time with hopes that I had previously hit them on an off day, or that they would somehow realize how terrible their foods were and make a positive change. Sadly each time I leave remembering why I disliked this place, and wishing they would rise to the occasion of their beautiful facility.
Menu has so many delicious sounding choices, that really speak to your food desires. That said, literally every item I’ve eaten here has been worth a one star rating. The only saving graces for this place are the ambiance, décor, and drinks, which I guess make it a great place for happy hour and nothing more. One star food for a 5 star food’s price, with a 4 star ambiance and drinks; this needs to either re-​brand itself as not a fine dining establishment, or re-​evaluate its menu quality to meet its ambiance and price point.

I’ve been really eager to try out Olio, and for my birthday this year I finally got the chance. Unfortunately, I wasn’t impressed. Here’s why:
First, the waiter was really handsy. I don’t think it’s appropriate for a waiter to touch a customer every time they speak to them, but our waiter seemed to think that it was acceptable, even rubbing my back at one point after he accidentally startled me. I know, I know, he was trying to be friendly… but it made me uncomfortable immediately. Going into a restaurant does not give the waitstaff permission to touch you.
The food was good, a little bit pricy for what we received, but we were prepared for that.
I was disappointed that we didn’t get the other waitress who was serving the dining room. She seemed much more generous, providing her tables with complimentary bread and offering fresh ground pepper and parmesan cheese once her tables were served. (We were not offered any of these things.)
The service was extremely slow, too. At one point, the waiter returned, glanced at our bill and card (which we were waiting for him to take and run through the register so that we could pay) and walked away. At this point, we had no food, no drinks, not even any water in our glasses… and we were left sitting for 10+ minutes waiting for him to grab the check. Finally, we threw some cash down and left. My boyfriend said he saw the waiter watching TV at the bar…
At this point, I am not sure if I would return. The food did not impress me enough to make up for the subpar service.

Olio Restaurant & Bar — Groton, CT — 6÷25÷2015
I’ve lost count how many times we’ve been to Olio. The service is impeccable, the food consistently good and tonight was no exception. Our regular waiter who was hosing this evening, always greets us at the door with a smile and is super attentive to my elderly mother-​in-​law.
They serve warm slices of Italian bread with Olive Oil and grated cheese. I asked for butter which was then served in packets…
I started with the Seafood Chowdah. They offer both a creamy and clear broth variety. I opted for the creamy. It was served «McDonalds lawsuit hot» and was absolutely scrumptious! I swear there was smoke coming off the top but it was probably one of the best I’ve had and that includes the ones I’ve had up north…
The Rigatoni Bolognese was cooked to perfection and there really wasn’t a thing needed for the sauce it was so good.
It’s hard to choose what to have here because they have such a good variety and for the most part it’s all good.
There were so many great choices for dessert. I recently had surgery and have had a few too many desserts along the way so I passed on having it this evening. Next time it will be a different story…
Highly, highly recommend coming here, you will love it!

The food is delicious. Pricier than most restaurants in the area but worth it for date night. The Olio Martini is probably the best dirty martini I’ve ever had. Whatever you do, don’t skip dessert at this place! Order the Banana Chocolate Ravioli & Ice Cream. You will thank me. :)

First visit to town but expect many more as my son just got accepted to a local college. This was my first visit here BUT certainly won’t be my last. This place was more than a culinary delight.
The Olio Martini with olvies stuffed with blue cheese that were very well put together. Not this type I’ve had in the past with Bleu Cheese leaking out and making my drink oily but perfection. Possibly the best martini I’ve had. Evaah!
My son, the simple but oh… so good burger with sweet potato fries.
My lovely wife with a pasta dish with shrimp, sausage and mushrooms, to die for… and me, the prime rib with asparagus and perfectly seasoned mini wedge fries that were a perfect accompaniment to my medium rare cut. Oh. and did I mention my Olio Martini?
Dessert. some delicious tower concoction and an amazing put together carrot cake that was not to sweet (which met all of our palates at the right place).
We called ahead and the hostess was fantastic remember our name when we showed up 10 minutes later. The waitress was the best I could have asked for after a long day of driving making the decision between the prime rib and /​or the risotto dish with steak. She picked the right one and. Oh. did I mention the Olio Martini?

I took far too long to write this review – especially because of the great experience we had here!
While in Mystic for our anniversary we decided on Olio for dinner. SO glad we made the right choice!
I had the beef tips over risotto, and since I’m not too big of a fan of risotto, and the garlic mashed potatoes were calling to me, I asked for the swap and the waiter, Jerry, who I’m literally obsessed with, said this: «Absolutely! The menu is purely a suggestion, you can order whatever you want, you’re the one eating it!» SOLD. I love it when a place isn’t totally set on their exact menu options, if I don’t like something on the plate, I’m still paying for it, which means I’m wasting money. The beef tips were perfectly marinated and tender while the creaminess of the mashed potatoes complimented the flavor. I also loved the shaved pieces of Parmesan cheese that were sprinkled over the dish – YUM. My other half got the burger since he was really in the mood for one. He said it was one of the best burgers he’s had in a while.
To our surprise at the end of the meal, Jerry brought us a lava cake that said «CONGRATULATION» …they did forget the S but who cares! It was the sweetest thing ever – not to mention how DELISH the cake was, absolutely amazingly smooth and melty on the outside with a moist cake outer shell. Definitely a must to visit while in Mystic!
Also, the atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for – candlelit and not too one on top of the other even though the restaurant was fairly crowded. Thumbs up! :)