Everything seemed kind of bland. The cheese sauce for the mac and cheese tasted a little thin and watery. The chicken in my salad was dry and lacking flavor. Our cocktails were weak, even my martini. I'm not even sure how you make a weak martini! Finally, I know TVs are part of what they are going for, but sitting under one isn't conducive to a nice meal, in my opinion. Oysters were good though!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Andre Beisans
I rarely find a menu where I just can't decide because everything sounds amazing! The food was great, impeccable service, and the restaurant interior is very welcoming. Will most definitely repeat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabernet Braised Prime Beef Short Rib & House Made Herb Pappardelle Pasta
ChanelM
Amazing experience. Everything is truly top notch. Oddly enough that chicken dish was the best chicken I've ever eaten in my entire life. Not sure how they did that but keep doing it!
Select led this place to Celebrate my birthday. Food was good and our server was very helpful and provided us with excellent service. The noise was a little too loud for my liking since is a small place and they crammed a bar in the front entrance of the restaurant. Tables are also too close together and we can hear others' conversations.
Coni
Another wonderful meal at Olea - always impressed with the personal service! Amber is so friendly and rememberers our preferences and Sten and Greg stop by to check in. Oh ! And the food is delicious!!!
Gary Rennie
Small place, but plenty of tables and bar seating. Food was excellent. Daily fish special was cooked perfectly. Schnitzel was very good too. Attentive service and a nice visit from the owner, I presume. We'll return for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double American Wagyu Burger, Crispy Jidori Chicken Schnitzel with Maitake Mushrooms
Thom
First off, Thank you to the gentleman at the front desk who showed us to our table. This restaurant was extremely vibrant and the environment was very social and nice. The service was great...the waitress was very attentive and checked on us frequently.Lastly the food was amazing
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Kurobuta Pork Belly with Cast Iron Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Wagu Burger and Fries, Cabernet Braised Prime Beef Short Rib & House Made Herb Pappardelle Pasta
KevinD
Have used Open Table for years but this is my first review because of the exceptional dining experience. Our appetizer, English pea agnolotti, was a perfect blend of flavors and textures. We ordered bread to soak up the remaining sauce so as not to waste it! The beef short rib special was the best I have tasted...fork tender and resting on a bed of pumpkin seasoned with maple, red pepper and a layer of spinach. My wife and I enjoyed every part of the meal and highly recommend Olea.
Cyberron
Our dinner at Olea met our expectations from previous visits. There were six of us, with four being first time visitors. The seabass, schnitzel, filet and the appetizer seabass cakes were excellent. The agnolotti are a must have appetizer. The two teenagers had the Wagyu burger and Mac n cheese which they devoured. I tried the Mac n cheese. It was among the best I've had. Often restaurants make Mac n cheese complex but loose the flavor. The vegetables with the schnitzel were not a mere bland side, but were prepared in a reduction (sauce) that stood apert from the schnitzel with great flavor. The specialty cocktails offer various selections. I recommend the Hot and Bothered. The table for six is in a little nook amongst the wine collection which was very nice and quiet. Lauren provided excellent service. Greg stopped by to welcome us and chat a bit reflecting the friendly atmosphere at Olea.
SuzanneV
This was the third time dining here and it was just as good as the other two. The halibut is excellent and will not disappoint. Moist, flavorful and the citrus glaze is amazing. The service was excellent, too. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be back for sure.
Some of the best food you can get in Southern California with a warm neighborly feel. We always feel welcome thanks to Greg and his team and the seasonal menu brings great nuances to your favorite dishes.
Andre Batista
Hand’s down one of the best places I have ever eaten in Southern
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Jenkins
Great service very good food selection lamb shank was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As soon as we were sat on the patio at this four top table - the larger table behind us had a very loud conversation about “taking it from behind” and it went on for about 10 -15 mins until I had to turn around and ask them to please change the subject that we were having trouble hearing each other speak or think- they were so loud!!! The server did nothing to make the patio a normal environment- she actually knew what they were joking about and even joked with them and said she would be around if they wanted more drinks - I couldn't believe it- The people who were sat in front of us moved tables within one minute!!! The other table near us were all cringing.. they kept looking over and behind us at the loud table every time they let out a level 10000 laugh. I understand being out with friends having fun on a Saturday night but this over the top they didn't care about anyone's experience- it was vulgar loud constant loud voices-yelling. It made me so uncomfortable that I actually left my purse when we left- we couldn't leave fast enough!!!! This experience was not up to the standard we were hoping for being regulars at the Vine in San Clemente. Over all, I would not return here due to entire experience literally being such a waste of money. The ribeye was fatty and left a lot to be desired. The veggies that accompanied the dish with were undercooked and bland. Green Beans and Cauliflower and a ton of mushrooms I pushed to the side because I do not prefer them. Pretty disappointing overall.
The food and service are both outstanding at Olea. The only drawback for us was the noise level was high, and it seemed like the tables were crowded together. Maybe take out a few tables to make it more comfortable and pleasant.
Everything seemed kind of bland. The cheese sauce for the mac and cheese tasted a little thin and watery. The chicken in my salad was dry and lacking flavor. Our cocktails were weak, even my martini. I'm not even sure how you make a weak martini! Finally, I know TVs are part of what they are going for, but sitting under one isn't conducive to a nice meal, in my opinion. Oysters were good though!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
I rarely find a menu where I just can't decide because everything sounds amazing! The food was great, impeccable service, and the restaurant interior is very welcoming. Will most definitely repeat.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cabernet Braised Prime Beef Short Rib & House Made Herb Pappardelle Pasta
Amazing experience. Everything is truly top notch. Oddly enough that chicken dish was the best chicken I've ever eaten in my entire life. Not sure how they did that but keep doing it!
Select led this place to Celebrate my birthday. Food was good and our server was very helpful and provided us with excellent service. The noise was a little too loud for my liking since is a small place and they crammed a bar in the front entrance of the restaurant. Tables are also too close together and we can hear others' conversations.
Another wonderful meal at Olea - always impressed with the personal service! Amber is so friendly and rememberers our preferences and Sten and Greg stop by to check in. Oh ! And the food is delicious!!!
Small place, but plenty of tables and bar seating. Food was excellent. Daily fish special was cooked perfectly. Schnitzel was very good too. Attentive service and a nice visit from the owner, I presume. We'll return for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double American Wagyu Burger, Crispy Jidori Chicken Schnitzel with Maitake Mushrooms
First off, Thank you to the gentleman at the front desk who showed us to our table. This restaurant was extremely vibrant and the environment was very social and nice. The service was great...the waitress was very attentive and checked on us frequently.Lastly the food was amazing
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Crispy Kurobuta Pork Belly with Cast Iron Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Wagu Burger and Fries, Cabernet Braised Prime Beef Short Rib & House Made Herb Pappardelle Pasta
Have used Open Table for years but this is my first review because of the exceptional dining experience. Our appetizer, English pea agnolotti, was a perfect blend of flavors and textures. We ordered bread to soak up the remaining sauce so as not to waste it! The beef short rib special was the best I have tasted...fork tender and resting on a bed of pumpkin seasoned with maple, red pepper and a layer of spinach. My wife and I enjoyed every part of the meal and highly recommend Olea.
Our dinner at Olea met our expectations from previous visits. There were six of us, with four being first time visitors. The seabass, schnitzel, filet and the appetizer seabass cakes were excellent. The agnolotti are a must have appetizer. The two teenagers had the Wagyu burger and Mac n cheese which they devoured. I tried the Mac n cheese. It was among the best I've had. Often restaurants make Mac n cheese complex but loose the flavor. The vegetables with the schnitzel were not a mere bland side, but were prepared in a reduction (sauce) that stood apert from the schnitzel with great flavor. The specialty cocktails offer various selections. I recommend the Hot and Bothered. The table for six is in a little nook amongst the wine collection which was very nice and quiet. Lauren provided excellent service. Greg stopped by to welcome us and chat a bit reflecting the friendly atmosphere at Olea.
This was the third time dining here and it was just as good as the other two. The halibut is excellent and will not disappoint. Moist, flavorful and the citrus glaze is amazing. The service was excellent, too. I highly recommend this restaurant and will be back for sure.
Restaurantji Recommends
Some of the best food you can get in Southern California with a warm neighborly feel. We always feel welcome thanks to Greg and his team and the seasonal menu brings great nuances to your favorite dishes.
Hand’s down one of the best places I have ever eaten in Southern
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great service very good food selection lamb shank was
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
As soon as we were sat on the patio at this four top table - the larger table behind us had a very loud conversation about “taking it from behind” and it went on for about 10 -15 mins until I had to turn around and ask them to please change the subject that we were having trouble hearing each other speak or think- they were so loud!!! The server did nothing to make the patio a normal environment- she actually knew what they were joking about and even joked with them and said she would be around if they wanted more drinks - I couldn't believe it- The people who were sat in front of us moved tables within one minute!!! The other table near us were all cringing.. they kept looking over and behind us at the loud table every time they let out a level 10000 laugh. I understand being out with friends having fun on a Saturday night but this over the top they didn't care about anyone's experience- it was vulgar loud constant loud voices-yelling. It made me so uncomfortable that I actually left my purse when we left- we couldn't leave fast enough!!!! This experience was not up to the standard we were hoping for being regulars at the Vine in San Clemente. Over all, I would not return here due to entire experience literally being such a waste of money. The ribeye was fatty and left a lot to be desired. The veggies that accompanied the dish with were undercooked and bland. Green Beans and Cauliflower and a ton of mushrooms I pushed to the side because I do not prefer them. Pretty disappointing overall.
The food and service are both outstanding at Olea. The only drawback for us was the noise level was high, and it seemed like the tables were crowded together. Maybe take out a few tables to make it more comfortable and pleasant.