The wait staff really take care you. But in addition to that, ...whoever is designing and preparing these meals really knows what they're doing. Every course is well balanced and eminently delicious. You will not be disappointed! A fine dining Mediterranean experience. Treat yourself!
ferhat HABOUCHE
The restaurant is perfectly designed.The staff was very friendly, the food very delicious, I enjoyed getting lunch in this beautiful spot, totally recommend it
Dawne W.
Do not order take out from Olivia. We have always loved this restaurant (visited for the first time 3 days after they opened and have been there many times since) and were eagerly awaiting their return after the covid closure. This evening we ordered the Japanese eggplant, cauliflower and tanginess chicken. The eggplant was coated in so much breading that you would have no idea it was eggplant. Perhaps it would have been slightly better in the restaurant, but by the time we got it home, it was definitely not crispy and was a muddle of flavors with nothing memorable. The cauliflower was our favorite, good but not great. The chicken from the chicken tangine was a dry hunk of roulade served with gummy couscous. Very disappointed. Maybe it would have been better in the restaurant?
Bhaba G
HMMM, MY FIRST VISIT WAS LATE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. HARDLY ANYONE WAS THERE EXCEPT FOR TWO TABLES. THE STAFF GREET YOU AND MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME. THEY GIVE EXCELLENT RECOMENDATIONS. THEN THE FOOD ARRIVES??? OMG!!! GET READY FOR A TASTE SENSATION LIKE NO OTHER. THE CHEF IS SO DELIBERATE IN HIS EXECUTION TO DELIVER A CORNUCOPIA OF PRECISE UNMATCHED FLAVORS, THAT YOU FORGET GEOGRAPHICALLY WHERE YOU ARE??? I WAS LOST BETWEEN TURKEY AND MOROCCO???THEN ON MY SECOND VISIT TWO DAYS LATER, AGAIN I WAS ENTRANCED!!!!GET TO THIS PLACE, IT IS A GEM!!! THE CHEF IS A TRUE EXAMPLE OF PAR EXCELLENCE*****AL LA FAR UNPRETENTIOUS FOODIE>>>>>>
Dani F.
This used to be a spot I loved and now it's got a brand new name, look and menu. The wife surprised me with a random dinner for one of my favorite times of year - Restaurant Week and we popped in to check it out. Naje(?) was our waiter for the evening and he was so pleasant. We started the evening off with a small bread basket which reminded me of herbedPopovers lol a sampling of the Cabernet Franc and the Syrah and decided on a bottle of the Syrah as that heartiness was perfect for our menu selections. I chose the Japanese eggplant which was presented beautifully with a delicious medley of flavors. The pickled raisins added the perfect tartness. My wife got the spanakopita meatballs which she enjoyed. I thought it fell a little flat but the spinach was perfect! We also ordered the whipped feta - do yourself a favor and get you some! It was so smooth and spicy. Really flavorful.Second course, I got the osso bucco which chickpeas snd a fluffy sauce that reminded me of harissa mixed with yogurt or sour cream. The lamb was so tender, no knife was needed it broke apart so easily. She got the mussels. She devoured her plate but, after sampling, for me it was tasty but not something I would've ordered. She however loved it. Finally we ordered the peach shortcake and the baklava. Again, I loved my cake it was moist and the peaches sweet and tart with a hint of basil oil - very good. The baklava was cute but I've had better - i prefer it flaky and sticky. That cinnamon ice cream was a super hit though. We finished up with a cappuccino which was fantastically made. I only took two sips because me on coffee after 12 noon is NEVER a good look. BUTTTTTT the sips I did take were great! All in all, this was a great dining experience and I could definitely see myself returning
Nathia W.
I am currently plotting on how to eat here everyday this week! The Lamb Osso bucco was an experience I can't stop wanting over and over agin! The restaurant week menu is good the o lot thing I don't recommend is the peach cake skip it for one of the other desserts I could truly kiss the chef, the prep, and the server if not for Covid! My server both nights (don't judge me) were amazing very knowledgeable and kind! The host is also amazing! Start to finish I was happy the cocktails are flames! Just go and enjoy the lamb the lamb the lamb!
Tasha S.
Cleanliness + Service: When you make your reservation they give you the option to dine inside or out, we decided on outside. The set up was so cute! White table clothes, beautiful blue votive, and a nice faux floral display. Outdoor seating was off on the sidewalk with stanchions, and it was very calm in Chinatown since we went on a weekday. Also got to experience a beautiful sunset on the city since we went at 7pm. Our server Chris is one reason I will be coming back. I really love when the staff adds to your dining experience, and gives great suggestions when you're stuck, and he did just that! He was personable, while still maintains the level of service and professionalism they are known for at Olivia. ~Food:We were told the head chef of this fine establishment is Matt Coon. Mediterranean cuisine is one of my favorites so this was definitely a place I was really looking forward to hitting during restaurant week. Let's get into this food!Summer Tomatoes - great salad, very balanced taste as peaches were also included. Bite of peach, tomato, greens and a little grilled halumi provided the freshest taste!Crispy Japanese Eggplant - I hate eggplant, but Chris promised with would be different and boy was he right! I would actually order and pay for this on a regular night! The babaganoush styled sauce under this play on eggplant Parmesan set it off! Make sure you try this if you're going for restaurant week! Dolmades - pretty good, but we were surprised that it wasn't more acidic. The leaves were missing their usual bite, but the sauce in the middle did provide a little something. I'd skip these. Crispy Lamb Osso Bucco - HOLY MOTHER. If you don't come early enough to enjoy this dish I honestly feel bad for you. Tender doesn't event describe it! It's more than that haha MUST ORDER. It will change your life. Flavor, A1. The harissa yogurt sauce it is paired with just elevates it to another level that I've never been on. Baklava - perfectly sweet! I usually feel like baklava can be a sugar ball, but this was delicate and soft, not too crunchy. Served with what I think was a cinnamon ice cream. Peach Shortcake - not impressed, skip this. Basic cake, and peach featured was kind of like jelly. ~Pro-tip:Come during the week and early! You can have a better experience with your server, as they will have more time to tend to you. The lamb also runs out quick, so come early, and it's a must have!
Lily C.
We tried Olivia today for restaurant week and it was great! The summer tomatoes and charred cauliflower were great. We got the lamb and striped lamb - both were amazing entrees. The containers were wrapped in foil so it still stayed pretty warm when we got home. For dessert, we had baklava and chocolate cheesecake. I have say baklava was way better :)
Daniel A
Very good food and drinks! The aesthetic is modern and european. The food is tasty and a little on the pricey side. This is a great date spot if you want light and interesting food
Casey Songster
Amazing place for drinks and dinner! The small plates and flatbreads are incredible to share as a group and the spreads were fantastic! Also shockingly quiet in the dining room despite a full house on a Friday night. Great for date night
A nice Mediterranean place with lovely decor, good food and good service. Being vegetarian we tried a number of the small plates and they were all very good. We loved the complimentary hot bread with olive oil and the lavash chips. Also the harissa spicy sauce was very good.
Austin Graff
Olivia is an inviting Mediterranean restaurant in Chinatown/Penn Quarter one block from the Capital One Area and the Chinatown-Gallery Place Metro Station. Here's why it's not a bad option for dinner:
Kim Fleming
I've been 3 or 4 times and have tried many items on the menu. Everything was delicious. Me and my friends especially loved the bread, which is served warm with olive oil!!! The service was friendly, attentive, and fast even when they were busy. I recommend making a reservation because it fills up quickly.
Austin G.
Olivia is an inviting Mediterranean restaurant in Chinatown/Penn Quarter one block from the Capital One Area and the Chinatown-Gallery Place Metro Station. Here's why it's not a bad option for dinner: 1) Atmosphere: It's inviting down from the hostess greeting you to the decorations. It's simple, elegant, and the decor on the walls make you feel you're dining in your grandmother's living room. 2) Food: It's pretty good. Every table starts with warm bread and oil for dipping. The stand out dishes included the soft burrata, ravioli, and sunchoke and chanterelle 'bravas.' The spicy whipped feta and the spicy meatballs were good too, but not something you'd run back to again. 3) Drinks: Their cocktail and beer/wine menu is large. I ordered the Olivia. It's a sweet drink. It was not bad, but not the best cocktail in the city or area (if you want great cocktails, walk a block to Silver Lyan in the basement of the Riggs Hotel).
Judy L.
Modern Mediterranean restaurant, serving delicious and colorful foods, with beautiful plating and good service. I came here for lunch on the whim. I was in Chinatown for a few hours and needed a lunch spot. The fellow yelpers led me to this restaurant. The server was thoughtful and attentive, considering I was a solo diner. I was also under-dressed with yoga pants, uggs and a sweatshirt. This was truly a lunch on the whim! I did enjoy the window seating with a view of the American Portrait Gallery. I loved their basil citrus mocktail and the fact that they have mocktails. It was subtly sweet. Part of me thought I wanted it sweeter. But the hint of sweetness was perfect. It was a refreshing drink. I am a fan of the octopus carpaccio salad. It was such a light dish with spring mix, chicharron croutons, radish, and tender, thinly sliced octopus. My favorite part of this dish was the octopus. The romanesco cauliflower had a lot of ingredients that are good for you, such as carrots, pomegranate, radish, and two different cauliflowers. It was colorful. It was too messy and saucy for my taste. I felt like there were too many textures, ingredients and sauce. The food was delicious. But I'm not sure if it is exciting enough where I would want to return for more.
The wait staff really take care you. But in addition to that, ...whoever is designing and preparing these meals really knows what they're doing. Every course is well balanced and eminently delicious. You will not be disappointed! A fine dining Mediterranean experience. Treat yourself!
The restaurant is perfectly designed.The staff was very friendly, the food very delicious, I enjoyed getting lunch in this beautiful spot, totally recommend it
Do not order take out from Olivia. We have always loved this restaurant (visited for the first time 3 days after they opened and have been there many times since) and were eagerly awaiting their return after the covid closure. This evening we ordered the Japanese eggplant, cauliflower and tanginess chicken. The eggplant was coated in so much breading that you would have no idea it was eggplant. Perhaps it would have been slightly better in the restaurant, but by the time we got it home, it was definitely not crispy and was a muddle of flavors with nothing memorable. The cauliflower was our favorite, good but not great. The chicken from the chicken tangine was a dry hunk of roulade served with gummy couscous. Very disappointed. Maybe it would have been better in the restaurant?
HMMM, MY FIRST VISIT WAS LATE ON A SATURDAY NIGHT. HARDLY ANYONE WAS THERE EXCEPT FOR TWO TABLES. THE STAFF GREET YOU AND MAKE YOU FEEL AT HOME. THEY GIVE EXCELLENT RECOMENDATIONS. THEN THE FOOD ARRIVES??? OMG!!! GET READY FOR A TASTE SENSATION LIKE NO OTHER. THE CHEF IS SO DELIBERATE IN HIS EXECUTION TO DELIVER A CORNUCOPIA OF PRECISE UNMATCHED FLAVORS, THAT YOU FORGET GEOGRAPHICALLY WHERE YOU ARE??? I WAS LOST BETWEEN TURKEY AND MOROCCO???THEN ON MY SECOND VISIT TWO DAYS LATER, AGAIN I WAS ENTRANCED!!!!GET TO THIS PLACE, IT IS A GEM!!! THE CHEF IS A TRUE EXAMPLE OF PAR EXCELLENCE*****AL LA FAR UNPRETENTIOUS FOODIE>>>>>>
This used to be a spot I loved and now it's got a brand new name, look and menu. The wife surprised me with a random dinner for one of my favorite times of year - Restaurant Week and we popped in to check it out. Naje(?) was our waiter for the evening and he was so pleasant. We started the evening off with a small bread basket which reminded me of herbedPopovers lol a sampling of the Cabernet Franc and the Syrah and decided on a bottle of the Syrah as that heartiness was perfect for our menu selections. I chose the Japanese eggplant which was presented beautifully with a delicious medley of flavors. The pickled raisins added the perfect tartness. My wife got the spanakopita meatballs which she enjoyed. I thought it fell a little flat but the spinach was perfect! We also ordered the whipped feta - do yourself a favor and get you some! It was so smooth and spicy. Really flavorful.Second course, I got the osso bucco which chickpeas snd a fluffy sauce that reminded me of harissa mixed with yogurt or sour cream. The lamb was so tender, no knife was needed it broke apart so easily. She got the mussels. She devoured her plate but, after sampling, for me it was tasty but not something I would've ordered. She however loved it. Finally we ordered the peach shortcake and the baklava. Again, I loved my cake it was moist and the peaches sweet and tart with a hint of basil oil - very good. The baklava was cute but I've had better - i prefer it flaky and sticky. That cinnamon ice cream was a super hit though. We finished up with a cappuccino which was fantastically made. I only took two sips because me on coffee after 12 noon is NEVER a good look. BUTTTTTT the sips I did take were great! All in all, this was a great dining experience and I could definitely see myself returning
I am currently plotting on how to eat here everyday this week! The Lamb Osso bucco was an experience I can't stop wanting over and over agin! The restaurant week menu is good the o lot thing I don't recommend is the peach cake skip it for one of the other desserts I could truly kiss the chef, the prep, and the server if not for Covid! My server both nights (don't judge me) were amazing very knowledgeable and kind! The host is also amazing! Start to finish I was happy the cocktails are flames! Just go and enjoy the lamb the lamb the lamb!
Cleanliness + Service: When you make your reservation they give you the option to dine inside or out, we decided on outside. The set up was so cute! White table clothes, beautiful blue votive, and a nice faux floral display. Outdoor seating was off on the sidewalk with stanchions, and it was very calm in Chinatown since we went on a weekday. Also got to experience a beautiful sunset on the city since we went at 7pm. Our server Chris is one reason I will be coming back. I really love when the staff adds to your dining experience, and gives great suggestions when you're stuck, and he did just that! He was personable, while still maintains the level of service and professionalism they are known for at Olivia. ~Food:We were told the head chef of this fine establishment is Matt Coon. Mediterranean cuisine is one of my favorites so this was definitely a place I was really looking forward to hitting during restaurant week. Let's get into this food!Summer Tomatoes - great salad, very balanced taste as peaches were also included. Bite of peach, tomato, greens and a little grilled halumi provided the freshest taste!Crispy Japanese Eggplant - I hate eggplant, but Chris promised with would be different and boy was he right! I would actually order and pay for this on a regular night! The babaganoush styled sauce under this play on eggplant Parmesan set it off! Make sure you try this if you're going for restaurant week! Dolmades - pretty good, but we were surprised that it wasn't more acidic. The leaves were missing their usual bite, but the sauce in the middle did provide a little something. I'd skip these. Crispy Lamb Osso Bucco - HOLY MOTHER. If you don't come early enough to enjoy this dish I honestly feel bad for you. Tender doesn't event describe it! It's more than that haha MUST ORDER. It will change your life. Flavor, A1. The harissa yogurt sauce it is paired with just elevates it to another level that I've never been on. Baklava - perfectly sweet! I usually feel like baklava can be a sugar ball, but this was delicate and soft, not too crunchy. Served with what I think was a cinnamon ice cream. Peach Shortcake - not impressed, skip this. Basic cake, and peach featured was kind of like jelly. ~Pro-tip:Come during the week and early! You can have a better experience with your server, as they will have more time to tend to you. The lamb also runs out quick, so come early, and it's a must have!
We tried Olivia today for restaurant week and it was great! The summer tomatoes and charred cauliflower were great. We got the lamb and striped lamb - both were amazing entrees. The containers were wrapped in foil so it still stayed pretty warm when we got home. For dessert, we had baklava and chocolate cheesecake. I have say baklava was way better :)
Very good food and drinks! The aesthetic is modern and european. The food is tasty and a little on the pricey side. This is a great date spot if you want light and interesting food
Amazing place for drinks and dinner! The small plates and flatbreads are incredible to share as a group and the spreads were fantastic! Also shockingly quiet in the dining room despite a full house on a Friday night. Great for date night
Restaurantji Recommends
A nice Mediterranean place with lovely decor, good food and good service. Being vegetarian we tried a number of the small plates and they were all very good. We loved the complimentary hot bread with olive oil and the lavash chips. Also the harissa spicy sauce was very good.
Olivia is an inviting Mediterranean restaurant in Chinatown/Penn Quarter one block from the Capital One Area and the Chinatown-Gallery Place Metro Station. Here's why it's not a bad option for dinner:
I've been 3 or 4 times and have tried many items on the menu. Everything was delicious. Me and my friends especially loved the bread, which is served warm with olive oil!!! The service was friendly, attentive, and fast even when they were busy. I recommend making a reservation because it fills up quickly.
Olivia is an inviting Mediterranean restaurant in Chinatown/Penn Quarter one block from the Capital One Area and the Chinatown-Gallery Place Metro Station. Here's why it's not a bad option for dinner: 1) Atmosphere: It's inviting down from the hostess greeting you to the decorations. It's simple, elegant, and the decor on the walls make you feel you're dining in your grandmother's living room. 2) Food: It's pretty good. Every table starts with warm bread and oil for dipping. The stand out dishes included the soft burrata, ravioli, and sunchoke and chanterelle 'bravas.' The spicy whipped feta and the spicy meatballs were good too, but not something you'd run back to again. 3) Drinks: Their cocktail and beer/wine menu is large. I ordered the Olivia. It's a sweet drink. It was not bad, but not the best cocktail in the city or area (if you want great cocktails, walk a block to Silver Lyan in the basement of the Riggs Hotel).
Modern Mediterranean restaurant, serving delicious and colorful foods, with beautiful plating and good service. I came here for lunch on the whim. I was in Chinatown for a few hours and needed a lunch spot. The fellow yelpers led me to this restaurant. The server was thoughtful and attentive, considering I was a solo diner. I was also under-dressed with yoga pants, uggs and a sweatshirt. This was truly a lunch on the whim! I did enjoy the window seating with a view of the American Portrait Gallery. I loved their basil citrus mocktail and the fact that they have mocktails. It was subtly sweet. Part of me thought I wanted it sweeter. But the hint of sweetness was perfect. It was a refreshing drink. I am a fan of the octopus carpaccio salad. It was such a light dish with spring mix, chicharron croutons, radish, and tender, thinly sliced octopus. My favorite part of this dish was the octopus. The romanesco cauliflower had a lot of ingredients that are good for you, such as carrots, pomegranate, radish, and two different cauliflowers. It was colorful. It was too messy and saucy for my taste. I felt like there were too many textures, ingredients and sauce. The food was delicious. But I'm not sure if it is exciting enough where I would want to return for more.