Olio

Description:

• The exposed brick walls, dark wood wainscoting, and stained-glass lamps imbue this place with character and romance. Couples might want to grab a table in a quiet nook, while groups tend to dominate the large main room or crowd the bar. There are even a few outdoor tables on a narrow sidewalk beside some train tracks, and nonsmokers might want these, as the main bar and dining areas are often tightly packed and smoke-filled. The extensive tapas menu features traditional Spanish fare, as well as bruschetta, antipasti, and a Greek mezza plate. For a main dish, I recommend the chicken Vesuvio, which is marinated first in a balsamic vinegar reduction and finished with a creamy herb sauce; or the arrollado siciliano, which is a thin filet of steak rolled around spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese and topped with a pomodoro sauce. The midsize wine list features very reasonably priced wines from Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Chile, Greece, and even Bulgaria.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Recommended 2010