Uliveto — Restaurant in Richmond

We decided to patronize Uliveto on a whim on a Friday evening and managed to land a bar seat reservation for two within 30 minutes of making said decision. It was absolutely necessary as this place was packed like the sardines of the food culture that inspire the menu. Speaking of the menu, there is an abundance of variety to please palates from most walks of life.

The very physically intimate space when at what I must assume is maximum capacity never felt uncomfortable and allowed ample room to maneuver, which combined with the amount of staff produced an experience that enabled service with the briefest glance of desire.

Our bar seating treated us to the whirlwind of a two person production line churning out cocktails, of which we had one each. In my humble opinion they were exquisitely balanced and nuanced. In addition to quenching our thirst for spirits, the person running the show behind the bar also satiated our thirst of knowledge by illuminating the namesake origin of some of the menu items.

For dinner we each chose a glass of wine from a solid selection—a barbera and a cabernet sauvignon. I ordered the whole grilled branzino, because if you see a whole fish on any restaurant menu it's your obligation to order it. The plate was well imagined and it translated spectacularly into the dining experience. Rich flavor, well seasoned and all the joy of interacting with your food in an inherently ambitious way. My partner had a Mediterranean masterpiece: linguini with kalamata olives, feta, spinach, artichokes, dill and shrimp. "Decadent with a kick of spice" in her words, and perfectly portioned.

The ambiance achieved through the curated decor inside, wonderful staff and delicious food will certainly see return customers in us, albeit perhaps not at peak hours. Thanks for a...

My wife and I came for date night on Saturday at 6:30 and requested an outside table. Our waiter came over after about 10 minutes to offer us drinks (a little long of a wait but it was busy). My wife requested a dry red wine, which our waiter said he didn't think they had one (really, at an Italian restaurant?). My wife requested to try the Chianti. He came back with a new wine to the list, which she ended going with.

It took 30 minutes for our waiter to return to take our order. We certainly would've ordered a second round if he had come back sooner. We ordered the Keftedes, which came out about 20 minutes later. These were the only shining moment of the meal as they were tasty. Another 30 minutes later, our waiter came back to take our dinner order (way too long).

My wife ordered the Amatriciana and I ordered the Chicken Milanese. We also ordered a bottle of the red wine. This is where things really went down hill. It took 50 minutes for our dinner to arrive, getting to the table at 8:30. My chicken was cold and rubbery. I called the waiter over and he said he'd get a manager. She came over (the hostess) and I explained the situation. She offered to re-fire the meal, but at this point, I was starving and didn't trust that it was going to come out timely. Instead of the woman offering any other offer, she simply removed it from the bill. So for this horrible experience, the bill came to $153 with tip. I will never return and I have told a lot of my neighbors about the terrible experience between the 2 hour wait, the long time between the waiter stopping by (I noticed him serving a bunch of tables inside, so I tipped him normally because I assume the restaurant management understaffed the front of house that night), and the...

What a Gem!

My recent dining experience was a vibrant celebration of Mediterranean flavors, fresh ingredients, and warm hospitality. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, creating a memorable meal from start to finish.

We began with the heirloom tomato salad, a simple yet stunning starter. Thick wedges of red and golden tomatoes were topped with ribbons of fresh basil and drizzled with a perfectly balanced balsamic reduction. The tomatoes were at peak ripeness—sweet, juicy, and bursting with summer flavor.

Next came the shrimp and artichoke linguine, which was the star of the meal. The pasta was generously coated in a light tomato-based sauce, rich with olive oil and brightened by fresh herbs. Tender shrimp, spinach, artichoke hearts, and cherry tomatoes added texture and complexity, while crumbled feta offered a tangy contrast that tied everything together.

The baked eggplant parmesan was a comforting classic, served piping hot in a ceramic dish. Layers of thinly sliced eggplant were smothered in marinara and topped with bubbling melted cheese and a sprinkle of grated parmesan. A single fresh basil leaf added a fragrant finishing touch.

Finally, the whole grilled fish, served with a fresh arugula salad and lemon slices, was expertly cooked—crispy skin on the outside, moist and flaky on the inside. The arugula provided a peppery crunch, and a squeeze of lemon brightened every bite.

The attention to detail, bold yet balanced flavors, and artful plating made this meal feel like a true Mediterranean escape. I would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for honest, flavorful food in a cozy and...