When looking for a romantic setting for a meal, one would be hard-pressed to find a more intimate restaurant than Olio. Inspired by Israeli cuisine, Olio serves upscale, Mediterranean-style food. While the cuisine is flavorful and unique, Olio is also memorable for its quaint location inside an old service station.

Olio is located at the corner of Tower Grove Avenue and McRee Avenue. The restaurant is set far back from the street, with the parking lot serving as a large patio. Although the parking lot seems like a strange setting for a patio, well-placed plants and other decor make the tables feel natural and a bit secluded from the street. Among the tables and plant-life, the glazed white and red bricks of Olio make it stand out, while the interior is cute and cozy. The brick extends to the inside of the building, and windows bring in lots of natural light. The space is very small, however, which lends an intimate feel to the space, especially with all of the details from the old building.

Olio serves Mediterranean cuisine and seems to focus on fresh ingredients and rustic flavors. In order to try several dishes, we decided to get several appetizers. We ordered the Israeli bruschetta, hummus with pita, and the Jerusalem bagel with labneh, Za’atar, and pomegranate molasses. Each of our dishes was elegantly prepared with artisanal ingredients and featured bold and unique flavors. We had never tried anything quite like what we had at Olio and were very happy that we sampled all the dishes that we did. In addition to the rustic and flavorful food, Olio also has a nice wine selection, craft beer, and cocktails that provide a nice complement to the meal.

Overall, Olio is a lovely place to have a meal and offers a unique dining experience. We were glad to have tried it and would recommend it, especially to those who are interested in Mediterranean cuisine.