If you've got Mediterranean on the mind, a recent opening is need-to-know. Located above the Spy Museum at 800 F St. NW in Penn Quarter, the fresh addition is called Olivia.
The upscale restaurant's blue-hued interior aims to evoke the many cultures that surround the diverse region. So two does the menu, with cuisine inspired by many of the bordering countries. Appetizers, for example, include Spanish manchego cheese and hand-carved jamon iberico, a Greek and Lebanese tzatziki labne spread, and chicken ravioli. Look for mains like Moroccan short rib tagine, whole roasted branzino and a Portuguese seafood stew.
The wine list is representative of the region. There's also handcrafted cocktails and select craft beers on tap.
Olivia has gotten off to a solid start thus far, with a four-star rating out of six reviews on Yelp.
Yelper Olivia W., who reviewed Olivia on January 1, wrote, "The bread is the best I have ever had at any restaurant. The food is awesome (as was the drink), and service is amazing."
Yelper Adina R. wrote, "The food was delicious, and the service even better. The ossobuco and chickpea bed was fantastic. The seafood stew was fine but not amazing and definitely not worth the up charge. The short rib was also excellent and gorgeous presentation."
Head on over to check it out: Olivia is open from 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. on Monday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, 5 p.m.–10:30 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.–9 p.m. on Sunday.
