Black Olive Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Madison

Madison had high hopes for something different, but I could've done better with a box of Creamette and a frozen On-Cor dinner. The first thing about this place is the website, they use misleading stock images that are not of the facility, and stock images of food they don't serve. It's Italian, but the staff is playing Mexican salsa music in the dining room--that's okay, but as this was previously a Mexican restaurant, it's very confusing, especially with the false and misleading high-end impression their website is trying to convey, the atmosphere doesn't even try to live up to the site's promises. The site promises an "Italian Vibe." The site also uses oddly phrased language, and before the Black Olive (or Olives?, they can't seem to decide if their name is plural or not) even opened, they boasted of their experience serving Italian food in Madison. It's like they bought a template that they were supposed to customize, and just didn't. Lazy and misleading, typo-ridden. I ordered Veal Parmigiana, even pointed to it on the menu (the waiter did not speak or understand English very well). It was $17. What came out was the skimpiest crust of a patty that could've been the same thing Cracker Barrel serves up as chicken fried steak, came out of the same food service box, different sauce. Thin and flavorless sauce. It was passable, but for $17? Dining companion ordered the baked spaghetti, which means that the spaghetti and sauce would have, at one point, been in an oven. What was served was a bowl of spaghetti with marinara on top. $13. No cheese. The bill came, and the Veal was $12 and the spaghetti was $9. Still don't understand how that happened, since we pointed at the menu and saw the prices. I had to wonder if we were served what we intended to order. As the spaghetti was uneaten for the most part, I objected to being served a misleadingly titled dish, since there was nothing "baked" about it. This was removed from the bill. They're phoning it in and hoping the masses will lap it up, but I won't be. The site has a refunds and returns page, you'll do well to familiarize yourself with it if you are...

An authentic Italian experience for the hungry soul. Tables have olive oil at the ready. Bread dusted with parmesan was brought out as an a appetizer with marinara [SINFULLY GOOD]. Server was a well dressed younger gentleman in a partial suit with gloves. Despite feeling underdressed, I was treated and served very well- attentive!

I ordered the creamy Tuscan chicken for ($17) and the shrimp cabonara ($19). I also ordered a cannoli for dessert ($7).

Portions are large and reasonably so. The shrimp carbonara [sauted onions, bacon, fresh herbs and eggs with cream and sphaghetti noodles] was very rick in flavor with juicy, perfectly cooked shrimp with a delightful smoky, sauce. The creamy Tuscan chicken [chicken Alfredo with sundried tomatoes, spinach and garlic, with linguini noodles] was also phenomenal- a very balanced Alfredo. The chicken was well cooked and not dry!

The flowers decorating the dishes are orchids which are edible! They are rich in vitamin c and antioxidants.

The cannoli was rich, but not overly so. The filling was a cool, tasty sweet cream, and the shell was a crunchy wafer pastry. A staple example of a cannoli.

The establishment is very clean. The furnishings are well-maintained and uniform in a classy aesthetic. Tabletops all have black table clothes which might be difficult if you have younger ones. There was plenty of seating however, perfect for first dates or large gatherings.

If you don't like pasta, they have plenty of options involving seafood, steak, salad, and pizza, as well as an adult drink menu [and virgin options].

A very pleasurable experience, and I will be returning. It is rare I have nothing to negatively critique at all.

Pictured: Cannoli + creamy...

First the acoustics were overwhelming it was so very loud please put some dividers up!!! Second it took 1 hour from ordering before we got our food (the order wasn’t complicated)! The food was nothing short of something I could have done at home myself for much less cost! Seafood Alfredo isn’t complicated but the shrimp extremely over cooked like chewing a rubber band no lobster too be found and the scallops were the size of a dime 20$ save your money!! Baked spaghetti was dry and seriously lacking in flavor! Bread was bland and the marinara sauce tasted out of a can! Alfredo was salty and inedible! The plates felt microwaved by the time they came out my Alfredo had an obvious skin formed on the top from setting far too long. The menu was extremely basic for “authentic Italian”. I can see why the parking lot is empty most of the time specially on the weekend!! If I could have give A half star rating I would have. First time and last time I’ll go there!!! I’d rather save my money and produce something better from home!! The excuse for the wait was a party of 15 that never arrived by the time we left. We watched 2 tables, a party of two and one part of 5 served before us. Complete failure of the kitchen!! I hope they read this review and respond. If I seem salty it’s because I spent 170$ on trash food that we waited for too...