Olio Pizzeria
Olio Pizzeria truly is the best place to get pizza in Santa Barbara. My girlfriend and I come to eat here when we feel like treating ourselves to something nice, that isn't silly expensive (which, when it comes to food in this town, isn't an easy thing to find). Not only are the pizza's just about perfect, but the appetizers are always interesting and delicious, the cocktail list is plenty extensive, and the beer list is unlike any other I've seen in Santa Barbara. I meant to bring the list of beers home with me, so I could reference them here, but naturally, I forgot it, sitting on the bar right in front of me.
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| A good shot of the meats Olio has available |
We came here on Wednesday night for my girlfriends 30th birthday after seeing a show just across the street at the Arlington Theatre (click the link and check it out. It's a pretty amazing place. No ordinary movie theatre). She loves coming to Olio, as she is a bit of a foodie, and really appreciates a fine meal in a place with a great atmosphere (she works in the business, so she knows a little more about this type of thing than I do). We always try to sit at the bar, down at the end in front of the chefs making the pizzas, and in front of the pizza oven. Luckily for us, we walked in, and those seats were available! Boom, we'll take them! Perfect. We started off with a couple of their signature cocktails, and the Polpettine Della Nonna (baked meatballs). These meatballs are a great starter, and the guys on the other side of the bar are always happy to toast you up a little bit of bread to dip into the sauce. A most excellent beginning.
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| Not us, but a good photo I found of the seats we had |
On to the main course, we opted to share a pizza. We usually do this, as one pizza is plenty for 2 to split, especially after the appetizer. We went with the Margherita, which, at $15, has to be one of the better deals in town. Seriously. This thing is awesome, and will not disappoint anyone. My girlfriend (we can just start calling her Lindsey from now on) order a glass of wine, but I was eager to try something new from the fairly extensive beer list, featuring Italian beers that you don't really see anywhere else around here. Usually, I get ReAle Extra from Birra Del Borgo, as I have become quit fond of these, but I was looking for something a little different this time. I mean, after all, how often does a person turn 30?! This was a special night, I decided. Our waiter noticed that I was taking quite a while to pick something out, and he suggested I try something that wasn't on the list. Well, ok, sign me up! I didn't even bother to ask what he was bringing me, I was just excited to go "off menu" for a beer. Our waiter promptly returned with a bottle of Duchessa Confarro, also from Birra Del Borgo. He poured it into the proper tulip shaped glass, and away we went.
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| Our pizza |
I gave this strange and foreign beer a good sniff, and a hearty first taste. Apples, was the first thing I thought. Lindsey agreed, and the taste became more certain as it warmed a bit in the glass. The beer was a perfect golden color, and the slightly tart finish went well with our cheesy pizza. But what happened next was the real surprise of the evening. The owner, Alberto Morello, whom I had never met before, walked over to us and introduced himself. He said he noticed the beer I was drinking, and asked what I thought about it. After speaking with him for just a moment, it was obvious he really knew his stuff when it came to beer, and his enthusiasm for Italian beers was evident. He went on to tell me about the beers he carries in his restaurant; the brewery they came from, how the names of the beers came to be, and what an ordeal it is to get these beers in the first place. We spoke for a bit, he wished us well, and went off on other business. Moments later, he reappeared with a bottle of Strada San Felice, from Grado Plato. Alberto said he enjoyed speaking with us, looked forward to our return, and wanted us to enjoy this beer at home. Well, how about that? What a guy. He wrapped it up in a bag for us, and again he was off. Lindsey and I agreed that this night was a pretty rousing success. We finished up with the Budino Di Zucchero Di Canna, which is their butterscotch pudding, and I can't recommend it enough. We paid the bill, and walked home, very full, and very happy.
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| Some Olio beers |
I can't say enough about what a great time we had at Olio Pizzeria. Every time we go, it really is a special evening. Great food, great drinks, and a perfect location. And this time was even better with Alberto's generosity and gracious attitude. We can't wait to go back.
Olio Pizzeria
11 W. Victoria St.
Santa Barbara, CA
805-899-2699
Been to Olio Pizzeria? Do you love it as much as we do? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
