Olivomare in City of London

I’d say that both the service and the food need improvements.The staff were lovely but there is lack of attention. We asked for bread 4 times and waited 15 minutes for it as we wanted to use the bread for the mussels broth, well, when we asked the bread for the last time we have been told that the main course were ready even though we didn’t finish our starter, so we had to send the unfinished starter.I have called in the afternoon before going to the restaurant as we went there just to eat the pasta with lobster and have been told over the phone that the lobster was fresh. Well it wasn’t. When we have received the main course, I knew that something wasn’t quite right. If a customer orders pasta with half lobster please make sure to keep the half lobster meat intact, so that customers know that they have received what they have paid for instead of mixing the meat in the pasta. The amount of lobster meat in the pasta was far less than half of the lobster we supposed to get, all the shells were completely empty, and we felt cheated, so this is disappointing and misleading to begin with. When I had a piece of lobster meat, it was mushy and disintegrated without me chewing it, this is a sign that the lobster either was frozen or was dead from quite some time when it was cooked. When the lobster is fresh the meat texture should firm. Unfortunately for them I’m sort of an expert in hospitality and can spot things very easily.It was very disappointing for us as it was our special occasion. We have researched and called in advance to make sure that it was a real Italian restaurant and that the raw materials were fresh, indeed the staff were Italian and the food too, but the quality of some ingredients were quite poor.On the positive note the mussels starter was delicious (that’s why we wanted to finish the broth with some bread), and the wine was good too.The tiramisu is absolutely overpriced £9.50 and is definitely not made in the traditional way, as it wasn’t made using eggs, and there was just a tiny bit of mascarpone, it was more double cream than anything else.Is a shame because we really hoped to find an proper Italian restaurant with quality products and service.We paid the full bill and the service charge of over £24, but we feel that the food and the service weren’t up to standards however the staff were lovely and welcoming.Overall the food is 2⭐️ out of 5The service 3⭐️ out of 5The Price based on the quality of the products and the service is 2⭐️Renato D.Edit 1:The fact that you replied to an honest review like that says a lot about the management of the Restaurant. Classic Italianotto! You question the credibility of my review because it doesn’t suits you? Embarrassing. I have been in the industry for years and been development chef too, so I think i know 1 or 2 things about food, standards and service. Your Tiramisu was indeed made with few eggs lots of cream and a touch of Mascarpone! If you say the it comes with half lobster I expect half lobster meat in my pasta and not 1/3! The meat was completely mushy and disintegrated, if you say you cook it fresh the meat will still be quite a nice firm texture, so clearly the lobster wasn’t fresh, most likely frozen! But more importantly give us what we have been told and paid for HALF lobster not 1/3. Regarding the service can be better as customers shouldn’t demand 4 times for extra bread and definitely you shouldn’t take the plates away if we are not finished! Why do you think your serve those delicious mussels with broth? The broth isn’t supposed to be thrown away but to enjoy with the mussels and the bread!You really need to some improvements both in your service and raw materials sourcing as much as your management when it comes to reviews!!Regards

Fantastic food. Ambiance is cool and cosy, fits perfectly with the punchy flavours that make you want more even after three courses. Thank you for a great experience!

Very good restaurant, good service and wonderful Sardinian food. One of the best meals we've had. Great wine. Looking forward to our next visit.

Its the same menu, the same decor, and the same old reliable quality. I think that this is the best amongst all the other Olivo restaurants in the neighborhood. I would have suggested a menu refresh, but then why change a winning formula. Crab linguine, tuna, lobster spaghetti, squid etc. and the few items on their dessert list - all are very good and worth a visit every now and then.

Enjoyed every mouthful. Delicious meal thank you olivomare. Excellent service from the lovely waiter. We will definitely be back soon.

Excellent food. Very attentive service. Highly recommended. Definitely will go back.

i am in love with the sea urchin spaghetti it is so rich and divine silky well textured spaghetti heavily coated with uni the queen of the sea makes a truly beautiful song on your tongue

Superb Sardinian fish and seafood dishes, perfectly executed. I could have eaten the entire menu. Great service too. Absolutely fantastic overall.

Loved the space. Service was very good. My only gripe was with the Lobster portion on the spaghetti. It was too little for a plate that's over 30 pounds. I actually chose something else but the waitress suggested that and I went for it. Spaghetti was lovely though with a chilli hint.

I think food is ok, reasonable price, pasta is good taste, lobster is very fresh of course with the price paying. . Oyster is only £15 for 6, good price, fresh and small. Overall bill £46, ok place for dinner