L'Oliveto — Restaurant in Paris

Be warned that the manager is aggressive, defensive, and arrogant. Come here if you want a “the customer is wrong” experience.

My partner and I arrived around 10pm on a cold, rainy Thursday in a non-touristy neighbourhood. Needless to say, under those conditions, it wasn’t packed nor busy at the restaurant. In fact, the waitstaff informed us that the kitchen would be closing soon, and so we had to order quickly; we understood.

My partner wanted to try pizza in Paris; I wasn’t hungry. We ordered one pizza, then a man (I later realised was most likely the manager, and after reading the reviews, I further realised was most likely the manager/owner, Gandolfo) came up to our table and very aggressively said “c”est pas possible” to order one pizza to share. We thought he meant that the pizza wouldn’t be big enough for two people, and I was too tired to muster my French to clarify, so we chose a second pizza.

The pizzas arrived and were VERY LARGE; evidently, it was physically “possible” for two people to share a pizza, but the manager created a rule that a table of two cannot order one item. From my experience living in and travelling to many major cities, including Paris many times, sharing a pizza is common practice.

The pizza was good (just good, nothing remarkable), but unfortunately, I was too livid to enjoy it; we had over-ordered and overpaid for no reason. I felt tricked, as if the manager/owner thought that I had never eaten at a restaurant before and didn’t know the rules of dining. My anger grew such that at the point of paying the bill, I pulled out whatever French I could to inquire as to why such a rule (which I had never encountered before, not in any restaurant in Paris) was claimed to exist. The waitress just shrugged off my question. My partner asked for a box, thinking he would eat the leftovers, however he threw it out promptly once outside, as walking around Paris w/ a pizza box is inconvenient.

I wish I had called over the manager/owner right when the pizza was served, because I know he’s going to respond to this review with something along the lines of “Well, if you were so dissatisfied, then why did you eat some of your pizza? I encourage potential customers to look at the 99.99% of 5-star reviews and the reviews of real Italians, not this nobody.” as he has hilariously, repetitively with most negative reviews.

I’ve read Gandolfo’s responses to other negative reviews. He is quick to insult, belittle, and discredit the customer and say that other Italians who have left reviews are better judges of his food and restaurant. That is why I put so much detail in my review; to assume every hole he might poke, to put me at fault.

He has also responded to others who were shocked being told that they ordered too little to be served. His responses have been along the lines of “you are taking up the seats of those who would order more, and a minimum order is general policy in Paris to keep businesses financially afloat”. In our case, we weren’t taking up the seats of others; we were bringing in last minute, extra business. And as I wrote earlier, no other non-black tie Parisian establishment has ever made demands of how much I needed to order/eat; they have only asked whether I was eating or solely drinking, to know how to seat me. If my partner had come in by himself, would he have been allowed to order a single pizza? Is it our job to make up for your inability to manage the finances of your business? Where in writing is this policy, to forewarn people before they take the time to sit down and peruse the menu? Was I supposed to get up and leave?

In any case, the music was loud, corny Italian pop, lighting was bright, the furniture was dated, and the design/atmosphere was nothing special/romantic.

Go elsewhere; Paris offers many alternatives.

EDIT: I see that there is a response. The pizza was not 14 euros. And I only leave reviews when the experience was remarkably bad. EDIT II: Your second response only...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at L'Oliveto, a delightful restaurant nestled in the heart of Paris, and it was an experience that left a lasting impression. Opting for the Formule Midi, which offers incredible value at just 19 euros, I was delighted to indulge in both a main course and a dessert, creating the perfect lunchtime experience without straining my budget.

The Linguine alla Bolognese was my chosen main course, and it was an absolute triumph of flavors. The pasta itself was cooked to perfection, with a delightful al dente texture that showcased the chef's mastery. The bolognese sauce was rich, robust, and infused with the essence of traditional Italian cuisine. But what truly elevated this dish was the addition of peas. The burst of freshness and subtle sweetness from the peas created a harmonious balance, adding a unique twist to the classic dish. Every bite was a revelation, leaving me craving for more.

To conclude my meal, I indulged in the Tiramisu, and it was a dessert to remember. Each layer of the velvety mascarpone cream was delicately infused with coffee, delivering a symphony of flavors that danced on my taste buds. The smooth texture and the well-balanced sweetness were a testament to the expertise of the pastry chef. It was a moment of pure indulgence, and I savored every spoonful.

L'Oliveto in Paris is a wonderful restaurant that offers a delightful culinary experience for those who appreciate good food. Oliveto has earned its reputation as a popular choice for food enthusiasts in Paris, and I am already looking forward to my next visit to sample more of their...

We wanted something different from the cafe food we had been eating so we went to this Italian restaurant around the corner from where we were staying. I’m glad we did, the food was tremendous. Also the service and the atmosphere. The restaurant resembles the usual French cafe with character. But that is where the comparison stops. The menu has a good selection of Italian specialties, all made in house, including the pasta if I am any judge. We ordered an arribiata pasta and lasagne. The arribiata was delicious and had the right level of spice and flavor complexity. The lasagne looked like it came out of grandma’s pan and tasted like it also. Very authentic with a generous amount of meat and cheese. For dessert we had a profiterole and pistachio tiramisu which was a special for that day. The tiramisu was heavenly and a generous portion. The profiterole was made with a delicious chocolate sauce that was clearly house made and also offered a very generous portion. So, if you are in Paris and want an authentic and exquisite tasting Italian meal, go no further...