Bar Olo — Restaurant in Melbourne

I have an undying passion for fine wine and especially the variety available from Italy. I have already written a review of Archive Wine Bar in Belmont, an excellent venue under the charge of Graham. Well, now for Melbourne in Carlton you will find the newly opened Bar Olo under the charge of its inspirational owner, Anthony. This wine bar is the perfect testament to refined taste and a genuine friendship shared from all the staff. I can assure you, the moment you walk into this wonderful Bar you will feel as though you have just crossed the world and stepped into a fine bar in Italy, and it’s part of our beautiful city. You have at one and the same time a contemporary elegance with a touch of rustic charm and for me the total experience was truly unforgettable. Bar Olo has a superb and very carefully selected wine selection showing how knowledgeable Anthony is. I discovered with my friend, who came along, that here you will enjoy something that will please every palate. I am confident that Bar Olo will be where real connections and great memories are made. I have to add that unlike so many other Bars I have visited, the staff made me feel very important as their warmth and enthusiasm were remarkable. I must add that the menu complimented the wine selection in such a wonderful way. In talking to the staff, I discovered that all the vegetables are grown on the owner’s farm, which is managed by Allyson who is Anthony’s wife. This is truly a family Bar and benefits from that. Down one of the corridors, I discovered an amazing set of Photos of places that I had never visited on my trip to Italy, making me want to go back and explore. I asked and found that the photographer was Vanessa Claire Photography. The photos and the artwork near the front added to the enjoyment I had on the night I believe that Bar Olo is a place where you will walk in a stranger and become friends with staff and patrons over a fine wine. Melbourne is known across Australia as a city for a dynamic dining, well Bar Olo has now added a new jewel in that crown. This is a bar that I will visit on many occasions and take friends and business partners for an evening that they will never forget. Congratulations Bar Olo and its owner Anthony on giving me and now Melbourne a fabulous night out and I can only but heartily recommend it as a must visit destination....

3.5 stars for me

As others have noted in earlier reviews - service is very slow. This is especially problematic when seating is allocated for 2 hours.

We arrived for our 6pm booking and ordered pretty quickly. The first starter came out in under 5 mins, which was great. But the next starter didn’t come out till half an hour after that. Then the mains dropped on our table at 7:30pm, and by 7:50pm we were being told the next table was coming in 10 mins so we’d have to vacate.

The staff did manage to find a table at the back of the restaurant for us to finish our drinks but there was pretty much 0 service there - no water refills or anyone to ask for more drinks.

The service we did receive was actually lovely though at the beginning of the evening.

Onto the food - for starters we had the tuna tartare which was fabulous, no faults. I enjoyed the octopus with vodka sauce, it was cooked very well.

Osso bucco tagliatelle is nothing special, although there was a generous serving of meat which is worth noting.

I thought the Jerusalem artichoke pasta was the standout.

Great wine list, heavy focus on Italian wines and every glass I had was fabulous.

Shame on the slow service, and being hurried out 20 mins after our mains landed on our table. Otherwise fab atmosphere in this...

I want to thank in particular wonderful Gerardo, the Mexican! Yes, he’s Mexican and yet he speaks Italian, my language, perfectly. What a fantastic waiter and what a kind, talented and beautiful man Gerardo is.

I’ve been to Bar Olo three times and will be there again this coming Saturday. It ticks every box. The atmosphere is superb, it’s cosy and warm, very inviting.

I can actually hear in there, they have somehow managed the acoustics beautifully. The music is good. The food is beautiful and the service is beyond compare. Gerardo has looked after my friends and I each time I’ve been. His choice of drinks has been exceptionally good. An amazing gin to start with. Beautiful wines and a gorgeous vermouth to finish with.

I love the service from absolutely everyone there but I want to give heartfelt thanks to Gerardo in particular. He’s so attentive and charming, sincere, affectionate and fun. I know it’s Gerardo’s last night for now. Amazingly he came in for service tonight because I had asked for him. He’s going back indefinitely to Mexico on Friday.

We love you Gerardo, we thank you and wish you the very best.

With gratitude and love, Rosalba.

Everyone, go to Bar Olo. It’s...