Olivo - Guildford

Olivo in Quarry Street - the first of what is now a small chain of five restaurants - was opened in November 1997 by Fulvio and Nicky Bertani, and is still the flagship of the group. The food is traditional Italian, but revisited in a modern way by their talented chef. The current manager, who took over from Nicky and Fulvio, is Paolo Ditale, whose brother is Head Chef, Massimo Ditale, his passion for food and service have created a superb menu.

The Quarry street building is a grade II listed building, possibly the oldest in the town dating back to the Elizabethan era, with numerous aspects that have been conserved, from the original fireplace to the 16th Century script on some of the beams. It was also, between the 18th and 19th century, the first Dispensary of Guildford, the forerunner of Guildford Royal Surrey County Hospital.

In addition to the spacious seating inside, Olivo can offer a very popular outside seating area, with heated lamps for the even the cooler of our summer evenings!

Their pizza is made in the traditional Italian way and baked in a "stone based" oven to maintain the authentic Neopolitan taste, or you could indulge yourself and savour their hand-made pansotti, individually handmade ravioli filled with spinach, mixed herbs and ricotta cheese in a warmed walnut sauce; trofiette, famous pasta from Recco tossed with new potatoes, garlic, walnuts, green beans and their authentic pesto sauce or bruschettona, traditional Italian bruschetta bread, topped with garlic, fresh tomato, extra virgin olive oil, rocket salad and parmesan, or for the more adventurous why not try one of their chef's suggestions?

To view their full menu and learn more about Olivo and its four fellow restaurants, have a look at their Website.