10/10! Why drive to London with an amazing gem like The Fat Olive so close to home. Very welcoming staff that had not only great knowledge of the menu, but also sharp service whenever needed. The food is clearly prepared with no shortcuts and is all in-house made. Great variety to the menu and a nice selection of wine to pair with any dish you choose. After 2 visits, this has risen to the top of my Favourite ‘London and area’ restaurant list! Well done Fat Olive!

As someone who’s grown up having authentic italian dishes for the last 26 years, I am always hesitant to visit italian restaurants because it “just won’t compare,” but my god, this place blew my mind. The staff was immediately welcoming and warm, hanging our coats, bringing us water and menus immediately. We did make a reservation (for2) as it was recommended on the site, and the small but cozy family restaurant filled up fast on a Tuesday evening. Had a glass of the house red wine, which was elegant as hell but there was also a generous selection of italian classics to choose from. The menu was overwhelming only because every dish I read made a little more drool drip out the corner of my mouth unnoticed. We went with the Caesar Salad and Garlic Parmesan Loaf to start (I shed a tear went it came) and the Fettuccini Alfredo and New York Strip w/ veggies for our mains. Wow. I don’t even remember chewing anything. The steak was tender and cooked to perfection; the veggies were fresh and seasoned elegantly, while the pasta was clearly handmade fettuccini and melted in your mouth like butter. The pancetta on top tasted like Christmas morning. The loaf and salad were basic dishes but carried so much flavour I was barely able to hold a conversation while I viciously shovelled all this incredible food in my mouth in a matter of minutes. Overall, I would like to extend my warmest regards to this family who have created the true essence of what it means to eat an Italian meal- feeling welcome, warm and most of all happily waddling to your car afterwards, with a box of pistachio ricotta cannolis, already planning your next trip back.