Olivetta in South Norwalk delivered a solid dining experience from start to finish. We were greeted with a smile upon arrival, immediately setting a welcoming tone for the evening. The restaurant has a cozy, warm atmosphere that makes it comfortable for both a relaxed dinner and a lively night out. The bar area stands out with attractive high-top tables, creating a great space to enjoy a drink before dinner or simply soak in the ambiance.
The drink menu offered plenty of appealing options, and the food menu featured a wide variety of choices, making it easy to find something for everyone.
We started with the Thick Cut Bacon, which was very flavorful and paired nicely with the accompanying steak sauce. While delicious, it was served slightly more burnt than ideal. The Blue Point Oysters were exceptionally fresh and one of the highlights of the meal, served with classic mignonette and cocktail sauce that complemented them perfectly.
Next came the Mussels Fra Diavolo in a light tomato sauce. Although the mussels themselves were enjoyable, the sauce lacked depth of flavor and came across a bit watery, making this dish less memorable than the others.
For our entrées, we ordered the Tomahawk for Two, which was cooked well and tasted excellent—flavorful, tender, and clearly prepared with care. The Chicken Olivetta, featuring a parmesan crust with white wine lemon sauce and cherry peppers, was another standout dish, offering a great balance of richness and brightness.
On the side, the creamed spinach and mashed potatoes were both very good and complemented the main dishes nicely.
To finish the evening, we shared the Pistachio Tartufo, a satisfying dessert to close out the meal. A thoughtful touch from the owner elevated the experience further when we were treated to grappa and limoncello after dinner. The grappa was enjoyable, while the limoncello would have benefited from being served chilled.
Overall, we had a wonderful night at Olivetta. Between the welcoming hospitality, warm atmosphere, strong drink menu, and several standout dishes, it’s a place we would happily return to. The owner also operates several other nearby restaurants, which definitely sparked our interest in exploring more of what they have to offer.
A very enjoyable evening overall — 8.7/10.
