We would not have gone to Olio without a Groupon, but we'd definitely go back. First a word about the five-stars. Olio gets five stars not because we loved everything we ate (almost), but because the food is excellent and served by a very friendly staff who are knowledgeable and helpful with suggestions. A great example was when our server recommended the $18 bottle of wine when given a choice. When that was not available, she gave us the other at the lower price. Classy move. At the table next to us was a woman who seemed particularly picky about her food and the same server patiently detailed a number of dishes for her. Dinner starts off with bread and two spreads: an olive mushroom version and a white bean puree. I like that there were two options in case you don't like one. Both were actually quite good. The fall salad included beets, pears, walnuts, goat cheese and greens and was lightly dressed with an apple cider vinaigrette. The seared scallops appetizer featured plump scallops served over a smoked cauliflower fondue. The scallops were excellent. The fondue was one of those items that if you closed your eyes and tasted it, you probably couldn't figure what it is. I'm not sure if that totally works, but the presentation's very nice. Both the halibut and steak entrees featured a nice mix of flavors and ingredients. A highlight with the steak was the Gruyere caramelized leek potato gratin, which was outstanding. The fish was complemented by baby bok choy and shiitake mushrooms. Ok, so don't fill up on that bread because you have to save room for the almond fudge torte with ice cream, which is a cool way of saying brownie a la mode. Order one with two forks and you won't be disappointed. Finally, a word about the setting. The restaurant has a cool but comfortable look and vibe. At first I thought New York, maybe a hip part of Brooklyn. But then I thought Olio would fit right in with the great restaurants of Boston's South End: excellent food and enough room to move around and enjoy your dinner. Olio's definitely worth the trip to the Springdale section of Stamford! read more

After dining there tonight, I am actually quite bummed that I did not get there sooner. There is so much good food to be had in this place. Aside from the fantastic food, Olio offers a delightful and cozy atmosphere along with a wonderful welcoming team led by Chef Steve and his business partner Moira. Each dish we tried was an epitome of love, care and expertise that went into it. Chef Steve came to say "Hi" as we settled in and he was kind enough to give us his recommendations on what to order. We started with two appetizers. The Beef Empanadas were delightful. Unlike most empanadas which tend to have thick and horribly oily dough, this dough on the outside was so thin and beautifully light yet crunchy. At once, I realized that this chef understands finesse on a plate. Our next appetizer was TDF (To Die For)! Seared Sea Scallops with Smoked Cauliflower Fondue, Grilled Corn and get this ....Sweet & Sour Raisins. WOW! I am telling you right now, that this dish is a must-have. The scallop was cooked perfectly - light and juicy. The sweet and sour raisins were such a delightful touch and created a well rounded flavor profile by adding its sweet and sour notes. The smoked cauliflower fondue was so addictive that I wanted to hide in a corner and lick my plate clean....sometimes I really hate having people around me. read more

I went out to CT to visit my friend for the day, and suggested we do brunch somewhere. My friend sent me a few suggestions, and I thought Olio sounded best. Really it was the lobster frittata on the menu that was calling my name. We got there around 11:30 on Sunday, and even though it didn't seem to crowded they said they only had available seating at the bar, so we took it. The place itself it isn't too big, 6 seats at the bar, and some tables in the front and the back. So we grabbed our seats and looked at the menu. I started off with a bacon bloody mary.. I couldn't resist with a whole mason jar of bacon staring me right in the face! And I got the lobster frittata, of course! Service was pretty quick, and attentive. It seemed like anyone working there who passed by us asked how things were. My frittata came, and it didn't disappoint. There were a few big pieces of lobster in it, corn, tomatoes, and goat cheese. I am not a dill fan so they left the dill and tarragon out, but I didn't think it was missing anything. It also came with some potatoes on top and two pieces of bread. I finished the whole frittata and left some of the potatoes over, but they were really good! My friend got the egg in a hole, which looked good, and she seemed to enjoy. They offered us coffee and donuts at the end of the meal, which sounded tempting, but I was stuffed! It was definitely a cute little place, and the food was good. If I were to go back in the future I would probably make a reservation so I'd have a table, but overall I enjoyed it. read more

Olio Restaurant - Bacon Bloody Mary - New American Near Me - Stamford, Connecticut

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Get the olio signature bloody. This is divine. 24 ounces with BACON and Shrimp. Just get it... read more

Olio Restaurant - Yes...thats bacon and shrimp in their 20$ bloody Mary. Not to mention the thing is 24 ounces of goodness....get it. - New American Near Me - Stamford, Connecticut

Great menu and the service was top notch. It has a wine list but it also allows BYOB. read more

In my constant search for http://www.ctbites.com/home/2014/4/25/olios-house-burger-excellent-in-springdale.html for great burgers in Fairfield County I found myself heading to Stamford to sample the new lunch menu at Olio that includes the Olio House Burger. And I am glad I did. Olio recently began serving lunch and it is slowly turning into the go-to location for many locals. The lunch menu includes a soup a few salads, and several sandwiches from chicken salad to steak, plus a pasta and sautéed shrimp. But I was there for the burger. The Olio House Burger is a unique combination of flavors and ingredients. It starts with a thick all-beef patty topped with Tasso ham, melted Manchego cheese, caramelized Cipollini onions, with a schmear of roasted tomato aioli, all encased in a Brioche roll from Eli's. It is served with thick steak fries and a side of ketchup. The burger is excellent. The meat was lightly formed with the grind of the meat still present. Although it was cooked a little past my requested medium rare, it was still this side of medium, a nice pink interior. The substitution of the Tasso ham for a traditional smoked bacon added a significant level of pepperiness and the mild Manchego cheese added a nice creaminess. The star of this combination was the caramelized Cipollini onions, they were fantastic, creamy, sweet, just a great addition. The roll added a good buttery complement. The steak fries were perfectly prepared and finished with pepper and truffle salt. They were crispy on the exterior and moist and soft on the interior. The truffle salt added an earthy complement to the flavor. I am a purist on fries and would have been equally satisfied with just salt and a little pepper. Overall the Olio House Burger is definitely a go-to burger and is one of the best in Stamford. Chef/Owner Steve Costanzo and his business partner Moira Hyland do an outstanding job at dinner and I anticipate that once word travels that lunch is available, the lunch crowd will equal the packed dinner crowd. read more

The squid app was General Tso's. The clams were overcooked. Even the bread we got at the start was stale. I chose the wine, so I can't credit them with that. The service was excellent, but the food was lackluster. I ordered the veal porterhouse and the best part of my plate was the mushrooms. My cohort's wife chose the lobster fettuccine. The lobster was overcooked and rubbery. The fettuccine was beyond al dente. Her husband chose the New York strip and asked that it be cooked to the chef's specs. The chef chose beyond medium and the garlic greens were the best thing on his plate. My wife chose the burger. Anthony Bourdain partly judges a restaurant by how well they can make fries. The burger didn't even earn a spot next to the hand cut fries Olio made. The front of the house was accommodating but the back of the house was unable to live up to the hype. I tip the service for doing a great job. I tip the chef by whether or not I return. I shall not return to Olio on Hope St read more

It was my Aunt's and my birthday and I chose to have our celebration lunch at Olio. This is a cozy diverse upscale restaurant with a small wood floored dining room. Because the lunch menu was so limited, we will dine here in the future for dinner only. For lunch, we chose the Burrata Salad and the Pan Roasted Shrimp which both were very good. We wanted a cake for desert with a candle. The really did not have much to offer so we went with fruit, whip cream and candles. Dinner or Brunch is the way to go at Olio, at least not lunch for us. read more

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I hosted my daughters 30th birthday brunch here and everyone was fantastic. I did most of the planning over the phone as I live in New York and my daughter lives in Connecticut. They couldn't have been more helpful. From the first phone call to the day of the event they went out of their way to help. Their prepared a family style brunch menus for us. They allowed me to decorate the front room in which the brunch was held. The service was spot on. The food was out of this world delicious. Everyone loved it. I highly recommend the restaurant read more

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I am a lifelong Stamford resident and have owned a business in town for almost 40 years. My wife and I have eaten at Olio six times in the past 2 months, we truly enjoyed our food although the service was a bit snotty, unprofessional, and slow. We've told all our friends about Olio enthusiastically. But, on Wednesday, when we arrived at around 6:40, the host sized me up with her eyes from top to bottom, which was really weird and uncomfortable, then she made us stand waiting in the entrance for ten minutes after which she told us that she couldn't seat us for "45 minutes, an hour, maybe more." There were no less than 5 tables empty at the time. So we left. I've never been treated so poorly at a restaurant, certainly not in my local Springdale area on a Wednesday night. I will never eat here again. A place that treats its great customers like this doesn't deserve to be in business especially with so many other awesome restaurants in town. Also, they should try putting some lights in their ragged, partially paved parking lot. Not only must you watch every step you take, it feels like you're about to get mugged. read more

We called but they were booked and they advised us we can seat on the bar, The Place was packed but was nice sitting on the bar, quick service and you can see the open kitchen, great selection of IPA's , The Korean appetizer was really good( can't remember the full name) main dishes burger and scallops were delicious, definitely going back. read more

I have been a few times for BRUNCH only, and each time, I leave with a satisfied tummy. I have tried multiple brunch dishes and they are all great. Additionally, I have seen dishes come out for other customers and have wished that it is socially and nutritionally acceptable to have two entrees in one sitting. Then add on the nicely crafted coffee drinks and brunch cocktails, and you're really starting off your Sunday beautifully. And for such great value! It is totally worth getting out of the restaurant scene of downtown Stamford and enjoying this Springdale gem. If their brunch is this delicious, I have to try dinner. read more

My expectations were fairly high and the menu looked fantastic. The service was friendly and efficient. Our server knew the menu and wine list well. She was prepared helpful comments about the plates and suggested a solid wine pairing. The execution on the food missed the mark. I started with the Crispy Octopus Salad. The salad and dressing were excellent. Crispy, fresh and tasty. The "octopus" was a single slightly overcooked tentacle. The flavor was fine but the octopus was a bit chewy and the portion small. At $16 it was overpriced. My entree, Seasonal Market Catch, was a step down. The cod preparation was okay, nothing more. The Yucca Pazole Cake became a mash from sitting in the flavorful Green Gazpacho. Perhaps the texture lost something going from cake to mash but it did not complement the cod at all. Despite interesting flavors the dish was disappointing. For some reason, and this could be my error, I expected it to include either shrimp or scallops. Neither was present. And at $34 it too was overpriced. read more

This is a true gem! The atmosphere is relaxing the staff makes you feel like family! My husband and I wanted the clam apitizer but just wanted them in broth. The chef made them special for us and they were delicious. The wine was amazing just a great dining experience. My new favorite place to go. If you haven't been you are missing out. read more

Occasion: casual dinner Order: Mussel (not fresh; tasted briny) Vegetable dumplings Scallops are good Veal Steak Risotto gnocchi (tasted too soupy and sticky) Duck breast Banana pudding Tres leches Had high hopes for this restaurant but It's a meh dinning experience for us. read more

Wonderful neighborhood Italian restaurant but it can be a pain to get a good reservation unless you book well in advance. I have rarely been able to walk in off the steer and get a table. The food is excellent and the place is small that's why tables are at a premium. But if you can plan ahead you will have a good time. read more

Cozy fun place for brunch with many choices of mimosas and Bloody Marys. I had the lobster scramble, which came with au gratin potatoes - can't grow wrong there! Hubby had the Eggs in a Hole - hunks of sour dough hollowed out with egg in the middle. Daughter had Avocado Eggs Benedict - perfectly poached eggs. Nice place for a relaxing brunch. read more

My girlfriend and I were on our way to NYC from Boston, stuck in an enormous amount of traffic on route 15, so we decided to get off the next exit. We open up yelp to see what restaurants were in the area. Olio was the first restaurant to show up, and they had us at "seared scallops with smokey cauliflower fondue"...we walked into the restaurant and were greeted by friendly and inviting staff. Moira was at the front bar and asked where we wanted to sit and how many people. Right away we asked to be seated at the bar (best seats in the house). We ordered the scallops and sea bass. Both amazing in their own ways. If it was sanitary to lick the plate clean I would have. We decided right then and there we would stop here every time we drive to NYC. The owners Moira and Steve then gave us complimentary dessert! We couldn't decide between the bread pudding or the chocolate mouse, so Moira decided to give us a sample of chocolate mouse and ordered us the bread pudding! What an amazing combo. We highly recommend requesting this combination! It was epic! We were also recommended the donuts by one of the servers, which we will try next visit. Our plan is to try everything on the menu with each visit! This place is a hidden gem with passionate, hard working local staff. Please try this restaurant, it would be an culinary opportunity missed! A+ from drinks to apps to dinner to dessert to service ..excellent! read more

Just had brunch here. HOLY SHIT! It was the best burger I've ever had! The Waygu burger was amazing, the brioche bun was lighter than the helium balloon, the hand cut fries amazing, and the belly pork on the burger amazing! There were 4 of us ate, 4 clean plates, says it all, coming back for dinner!! .....update 6/3..... here for a family brunch the band is TOO LOUD! We can hardly hear each other talk, it's a nice idea, but the place maybe a little too small and enclosed for two guys strumming away on electric guitars..... read more

This place is awesome. Ive eaten here three times and every time it has been spectacular. The staff makes you feel incredibly welcome, even if it's packed they make you feel like you are the only people there. Cool, unique small restaurant feel. Most importantly the food is amazing. I have loved everything I have tried there. My GF is vegetarian and they have at least two really great options. The desserts are wonderful too. I recommend looking at their specials too! One night we went and they had half off bottles of wine. One of my favorite restaurants. read more

Excellent food! I had the creole grits and my boyfriend had the French toast. The grits were incredible with shaved truffle and cheap! Acoustic environment is not conducive to conversation, but an excellent place to eat! read more

Very much so over-rated. Presentation looks nice until you try the food and it tastes like the most boring meal. We had their highly rated burger and chicken dishes and a seasonal salad. All extremely bland . I was surprised with the prices and appearance they went for, I thought it would be better read more

I was very hopeful prior to visiting Olio, having previewed the menu. My hopes were realized. I was warmly welcomed by Moira as I walked in the door. Since I got there early, I was able to sit just about anywhere. Had I waited until later, it would have been a bit harder to get in without a reservation. I ordered the crab crostini as an appetizer and went with the house burger as my entree. Both were fantastic. I finished with the cinnamon sugar donuts, and they were really good too. My only complaint was the limited spirits menu -- I would have liked to see a better bottle of gin in the mix, but that was very minor. I wish I was in town longer so I could eat here more often! read more

Great Brunch! I think thats all I need to say as other reviewers contiue to advocate for this place. The frech toast was excellent and the lobster eggs benedict had plenty of lobster on their own fresh bread! The pork belly hash left you wanting a whole bowl to yourself and the very attentive and friendly service kept my coffee cup and caffeine levels elevated. The pancakes and donuts will be next to try as they looked fantastic. The only negatives is the parking lot can get full and you MUST have reservations for brunch so call ahead since word has clearly got out. read more

The Chili BBQ squid appetizer was delicious. Very different than squid appetizers elsewhere. The steamed mussels were good but not excellent and not something I would order again. I tried the soft shell crab special for dinner and it was good as well. Good selection of craft beers and the wine menu is very reasonable. read more

The Saturday brunch menu is amazing! I had the lobster scramble and enjoyed every bite. The meat wasn't overcooked at all. The misosa options are extensive as well! read more

My husband I come here for their brunch. There aren't that many good brunch places in Stamford, but Olio delivers every time. I love the intimate atmosphere, it's not too noisy even when it gets crowded. I highly recommend. read more

I've visited here 3 times and haven't been disappointed. In fact, being a foodie type, I've always had this belief that fish recipes are best when cooked without accoutrements (ie-vegies, starch). Same day catches trump everything. Thank you Olio for proving me wrong. Your Halibut-Seasonal Market Catch: Lemongrass Ginger Beurre Blanc, Baby Bok Choy, Shitake Mushrooms.(and something eles?) Sorry, Brasitas, found a new friend. Save me a seat. read more

Have been for dinner several times. This is a wonderful addition to the Springdale area. The menu has interesting choices that seem to rotate every few months. The food is consistently tasty, and the service is attentive and friendly. I've gone with several different people, and no one has ever been unhappy with their food. The nutella/donuts for dessert is a must. My only complaint is that they can get crowded and they don't take reservations. read more

A large group of us met for Sunday Brunch. It's a quaint restaurant in the Springdale neighborhood with parking in the back. Their menu had a wide variety but I already knew what to order from peeking at their website. I had steak & eggs over easy with cilantro parsley chimichurri and potatoes. Steak was tender and juicy. Chimichurri sauce was amazing and potatoes were delicious. The Grand Mimosa was disappointing though. It tasted and looked more like orange juice. I hardly tasted the champagne and Grand Marnier. I'd stay away from their mimosas. read more

Olio Restaurant - Steak & Eggs with Cilantro Parsley Chimichurri and Potatoes - New American Near Me - Stamford, Connecticut

My wife and I had dinner here last Friday with another couple. The menu was great and the food was really great, but the service was lacking. Drinks and dishes didn't come out together, we waited forever to get our water glasses refilled, even after asking, and the wait staff was just generally inattentive. Example: The coffee came out cold, and then when we said something they went to make another pot and never came back to tell us it'll be a few minutes (like 10). We arrived at 7PM and were seated promptly, but we didn't get through our dinner in time to make a 9:20 movie down the block. We certainly weren't in a rush - we were enjoying sitting and chatting - but that's a little ridiculous. But for the service, this restaurant would be a 5, as, again, the food was really excellent. read more

Can't wait to go back! The BF and I went here a week ago. We wanted something different and thought the 30 min drive was well worth it. We started off with the Braised Pork Shoulder which had Avocado, Crispy Plantains, Pickled Red Onions, Coriander. So yummy. There were 2 pretty good size pieces. Perfect for sharing. For dinner I had the Zucchini Roulade - Farmers Ricotta, Lemon, Plum Tomato Confit, Baby Arugula. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Everything tasted soooo fresh. My BF had the Cioppino - Clams, Mussels, Cod, Shrimp & Scallops, Grilled Crostini with Roasted Garlic Aioli. Which was pretty amazing too!!! (I stole a few bites myself) We decided to get the donuts for dessert to share. They were good. Not 100% amazing, but good. The hazelnut dipping sauce was just the spread from the jar. I would still get them again though, the donuts made up for the spread. Hope this place makes it!! The food is superb! read more

Finally had the chance to make it down to Olio! WOW! food was unbelievable! I went to brunch and had to order two meals because I couldn't decide and both were equally good! Can't wait to return!! read more

Olio Restaurant - Phenomenal food! LobstAH Benedict 2TF!! Amazing! - New American Near Me - Stamford, Connecticut

Updating--summer 14. I love that olio is now open for lunch! They've recently had one of the best veggie soups on their menu. Veggies (corn tomatoes, carrots, peas, etc) are fresh, and still have a bit of crunch in them, and the broth is flavorful with just a hint of spice. Heaven! Went here for brunch a few times with kids. Great for kids willing to diverge from the the typical kids menu. We had chicken crepes and lobster eggs Benedict. Both were Delicious, but the chicken crepes were particularly good. Also--excellent vinaigrette on the greens that came with both. I love it when a place makes their own dressing--it's so easy and makes such a big difference. Theirs is great--I would have bought a bottle if they had it for sale! The brunch menu was small and featured seasonal ingredients. The service was friendly and efficient and the food was delicious. It's in a great location (nothing else like it in the neighborhood). Definitely a place to try and an absolute must if you live in the neighborhood. I would go more often if it was only open for lunch! read more

Wow, the food at Olio is incredible. I came here on a Friday night on one of those brutally cold winter nights (i.e. negative windchill). It was a bit quiet, but I'm not sure how much of that had to do with the weather or the fact that I walked in at 8:30, which probably isn't peak dinner time in Stamford. The ambiance was casual and low-key and there's a small bar that looks into the kitchen, which is a great touch. I got the short ribs and my fiance ordered the roasted duck. They were both delicious, but I think the short ribs edged out slightly ahead. The meat was so tender, I barely used my knife to take it off the bone. And the truffle mashed potatoes...I would eat them every day if I could. This was the kind of meal I would have spent twice as much for in NYC. The only downside was that the portions were so big I wasn't able to try any desserts. read more

Went here for brunch and was impressed . I had the house burger and it was fantastic . All of our party loved the food. Reasonably priced food and very fresh. I can't wait to go back for the dinner menu. read more

Olio Restaurant - The house burger, yum...... - New American Near Me - Stamford, Connecticut

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Outstanding food service and ambiance. Small restaurant with a unique vibe delivering quality food with a dynamic menu that always delivers no matter what you get. I have been eating here for a few months now and every time I am blown away by how good this place is. I can comfortably say this is the best restaurant in Stamford hands down. Saying it is the best place in CT would not be fair the the restaurants I have not yet tried but I imagine this is hard to top. 1000% recommend. Takeout or dine in you will not be disappointed. read more

Very small and intimate restaurant. Close and cozy to your loved ones. Style of food is Farm to table. This place is so amazing that you even get to see the process -- kill, cut, serve. In all seriousness, who doesn't like a fresh burger right from the cattle out on the pasture downtown Stamford or freshly caught scallops from the bay? This place was good -- Finger-licking good! I had the spaghetti frutti da mare and the rest of the gang had: steak/shrimp, olio burger and nancy's sunday sauce. Mmm mmm mmmmm! read more

Everything was delicious. Egg in a hole are the best! The Bloody Mary cocktails are definitely something to try too. Location is nice, atmosphere is welcoming and bright. I recommend it especially for brunches! read more

I can not believe that anyone would write a poor review about this restaurant. I have been going here since they opened and each time am surprised by the quality of food and presentation. You will always find one of the owners working diligently along side the staff. They have great specials such as half price wine night and they seasonally change up the menu. There is something on the menu for everyone from a gourmet burger to an amazing pork chop! I eat out 4-5 times a week at high end restaurants throughout Fairfield and Westchester. This is one of my favorites that I consistently visit and am happy with everything they have to offer. It is difficult to succeed in the restaurant business but I'm sure they will be around for many years to come! Always save room for the home made doughnuts! read more