Oliva Italian Eatery

Reviews 3

LI

Lisa Henry

We went to Oliva based on several good reviews I read on-line. Parking isnt good, at the entry to a shopping strip, surprisingly busy on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant is cute on first entry, tables are a bit close but overall it is a nice looking restaurant. it wasnt particularly busy, about 1/3 of the tables occupied. One girl sat us, another came by to get drink orders, another came by to check on us, then another guy came by to see if someone got our drink orders, then a girl comes by to bring us water glasses and an ornate bottle of tap water, then another came by to check to see if we were ready to order, etc, etc, etc. They were all very attentive but my Lord! there were about 7 waiters/waitresses for less than 20 diners. and they kept running back and forth, from one end of the small dining room to the other, checking, double-checking, triple-checking with each other about did you get water for them?, did they order, etc, etc, etc. at first, their attentiveness was semi-appreciated but it became extremely distracting. i kept waiting for a couple of them to crash into each other and dump whatever they were carrying on us or the other diners. if you enjoy pretentiousness, youll love this place. they use multiple different serving containers for the most mediocre of uses. Ornate bottles for the tap water, the bread was dry and uninteresting but wrapped in a cloth napkin in a basket and plain olive oil served from another ornate bottle into a dish. we were offered cracked pepper for the oil which the server added for us but it was just bland olive oil with cracked pepper in it for dipping the dry bland bread in. one girl came by with parmesan in a little glass crock jar. she applied for us. (dont get me wrong, i love glass and collect all sorts of pieces but OMG, every single thing seemed to require a separate container and a separate server! I actually arrived completely relaxed but left feeling nervous & keyed up.) we are italiannis/Hurst fans and this place is such a far cry from Italiannis. Prices were about the same but the fettucine w/sausage I got was about the same as i make and the lasagna my companion got could have been Stauffers. the owner really tries to sell herself as this great experienced chef and social butterfly. she did come into the dining room (from the front of house), asked the table next to us how they liked everything but every thing they answered, she would launch into this personal account of how she created a dish, traveled this place or that, even how she had a biking trip someplace where she experienced ya-da, ya-da, ya-da... more ego-flashing, pretentious, overdone everything. the local coupon mag had a coupon for Oliva but we wont go back and are sorry we missed out on Italiannis for this overdone, homage to the owners ego. overall, it wasnt bad, food was okay but just not worth the effort. if you need someplace close, youll get better food at a better prices at one of the Joes Pizza and Pastas. if you want a dining experience and ambiance, go to HURST for Italiannis.

A

A Private User

I almost hesitate to write this review. The blessing of having such an incredible local establishment open right in my neighborhood is almost too good to be true, and I would hate to see the place become overly crowded and the entrée prices go up! My wife and I have dined there once or twice a week for the last six weeks, and there is not a single mediocre item on the menu. Every last option we have selected on the menu has been exceptional to the point where I have to wonder what addictive ingredient must have been added to the sauce to make it all so good! Even for a brief couple days when I thought I was on a diet and switched to salad, the Grilled Salmon Salad made health food seem like decadence. The owners, Cynthia & Justin, are constantly in their dining room recommending wine pairings, making conversation with their guests and insuring the most prompt and attentive service I have received at any restaurant in the state of Texas. The staff works as a team to maintain constant service at every table. It is mind-boggling to consider that this restaurant is in a shopping center in Keller, Texas! Everything from the complimentary bread basket and olive oil (exceptional flavor from this oil..!!!) to the Tiramisu is outstanding. I recommend the Pasta Trio and the Lobster Ravioli to everyone, and I should know....Ive eaten both entrées nearly a dozen times. If you still needed another reason to try this restaurant, Ill give you two: The wine list is extraordinary and hand-picked by the owners. They know wine and provide a selection of BOTTLES on their menu for $20 each. These are not cheap wines, and you would NEVER get this quality of wine at any other restaurant by the bottle at this price. I recommend the Possan Pinot Noir. You wont be sorry..! And finally, the one factor about the restaurant I hope doesnt change is their pricing!! For the size of these portions and the obvious quality of the ingredients, the entrée prices are between $9.00 and $15.00 for nearly everything on the menu. They could charge twice as much and still have my business, so Im not sure how much longer this great deal is going to last. I have no doubt you will love this place as much as we do. It is ideal for both family and romantic dining, has a quaint bar for gathering and is rarely on a wait. They do not, however, take reservations. I will see you there!

JE

Jessica R

Went to this restaurant for the first time on May 3rd 2017. Took my daughter who is four to have dinner. I was disappointed I was excited to try their food but unfortunately the chicken just ruined everything it tasted like rubber. I did send the dish back to try another but unfortunately it was very Bland and had no taste whatsoever. My daughter who is 4 had a Caesar salad which you cant go wrong on that but I would not think an Italian restaurant would go wrong on chicken and sauce. Not only that when we were brought our bill I signed and we walked out. I looked behind me as Im holding my daughters hand and I see the owner chasing me to my car asking me "did you mean not to leave a tip?" I was so shocked and disappointed and disbelief I didnt know what to say I had together my thoughts quickly and I said yes I did not leave a tip the food was nasty and she kept interrupting me asking me why I didnt tip. She did not care that the food was disgusting she was just interested in why I chose not to tip. What type of owner chases customers out to their car because of the fact that they did not tip. I am so disgusted by her behavior I cannot believe this actually happened I know plenty of restaurant owners that would never and I mean never go out to a customers car while theyre leaving with their family asking them about why they chose not to tip. Well heres a little tip of my own your food is horrible and you need to get the correct recipes of Italian dishes. Chicken should not taste like rubber and all of the dishes are very Bland when you walk in it does not give you any Italian feel whatsoever its small restaurant with the worst decor but the reason for my review is to let you know what the owner did to me as Im walking my daughter to the car. I am still in disbelief of the service and how I was treated after my daughter and I left the restaurant and after I paid my bill I understand Keller is small but this restaurant is no place to go. If I could give zero stars I would I am very disappointed and I will never return I rather eat McDonalds across the street.