The square olive is an Italian restaurant just across the bridge from Hampton Court. I visited this restaurant with my family and my girlfriend to celebrate my moving down to the area when I finally made the big move.
The restaurant was surprisingly quiet for a Saturday evening but that didn't take anything away from the quality of the meal. I guess it isn't well known, but I don't know. The bar area is nice with a large range of each spirits for personal preferences. The bar staff were very smart and good at making a wide range of cocktails for both men and women. I went for the godfather as it sounded and was the manliest cocktail I could find. They also serve pints though.
The food itself was good quality, authentic tastes and the waiting staff were very friendly and attentive. There is a wide selection of antipasti to choose and share and a lot of pizza, pasta and salad options that catered to both meat lover like myself and vegetarians amongst us. Very light and classically Italian desserts on offer and all-round had a great experience!
I am thinking out loud (by typing) but I wonder why they aren't getting the customer turnover. I wonder if they aren't getting the business they deserve because people feel more comfortable going to a well-known Italian chain such as Zizzi's which is just across the road? Not knocking Zizzi's by any means, but maybe people just choose to go to what they know.
But I say: Take a risk, People!! read more