The Olivo group of Italian restaurants was founded in November 1997 by the management team of Nicky and Fulvio Bertani, in an historic building that goes back to the early 1660s and is an Elizabethan timber-framed house. The history of its usage over almost 400 years make fascinating reading but we are here to take a closer look at some of the best Italian food to be had in Surrey. The interior boasts many internal features including timber beams, intricate woodwork and the original fire-place, now the bar.

Rather a nice touch is that they like to look at the restaurant as the setting for a play, which being Italian just has to be one of passion. This embraces the setting, the music and naturally the dishes and wine that are served with a true sense of bravura. Restaurant Manager, Paolo Ditale, seems to have a passion for food, service and detail and has creasted a superb style of service, accompanied by an amazing menu.

Their chefs share a common desire to present top rate Italian food in the Italian way, not as a concession to the British palate. Traditional recipes are revisited, interpreted and adjusted according to the creative instincts of the kitchen team, against a background of complete dedication to the availability of high quality basic ingredients. It is a common truism that we are what we eat, and this is more true than ever today as modern processing becomes more destructive.

A cautionary note is sounded by the quotation of the old Roman adage, 'Rome was not built in a day', and whilst the preparation of your meal will take considerably time less than that, it will be fresh right from the outset.

For instance all the pasta is freshly made in the traditional Italian style with choices like smoked salmon, lobster, mascarpone tortelloni, prawns, mushrooms, langoustine, chicken, tomato, garlic and white wine sauce, or penne served with chicken and their own pesto sauce. The individually handmade seafood ravioli with crabmeat is served in a garlic and tomato sauce.

An Italian salad can be assured to have more ingredients than average, and their char-grilled scotch sirloin steak with rocket, parmesan and balsamic served on a bed of oven roasted rosemary potatoes, certainly does the trick.

Italians have special ways with fish, and you should expect to find deep fried calamari rings cooked with langoustine, tiger prawns, scampi and served on a bed of salad, or char grilled loin of swordfish brushed with olive oil and lemon sauce, served with crushed potatoes and leeks.

Main courses specials could include pan fried fillet of cod with pancetta, chilli, garlic, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, served with mixed crushed potatoes and leeks, or a char grilled lamb steak in aromatic olive oil herbs sauce, along with oven roasted rosemary potatoes. Another good choice could be cold salad of fresh poached salmon with sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes and mixed leaf salad, served with tarragon, honey and yogurt dressing.

Italian wine at its best is a real delight and the list at Olivo starts with decent house wine by the glass or bottle, finishing with, amongst many others, a notable style of Moscadello made from the local grape and slowly fermented in new oak to produce a straw coloured yellow wine with golden reflections. Ask for the Col d'Orcia Toscana.

For further information on their events, and their ability to deal with yours, getting married at Olivo, gift vouchers and many other things including their history and philosophy, click on their Website and become absorbed.