Uliveto

We’ve been to this restaurant 3x since moving to Richmond last year. Every time the experience is exceptional and it’s quickly become our favorite restaurant. We’ve always had exceptional cocktails and we thoroughly enjoy the pesto specialties, the wide array of protein appetizers are always delicious, and the seafood dishes are exceptional. On our second visit we brought our parents and at then end of our visit the front of house staff kindly helped my handicapped father with an umbrella to our car due to the storm that arrived at the conclusion of our dinner. This 3rd visit we sat at the bar for a cocktail and appetizer then grabbed our favorite pasta entrees to go to host our family and the bartender was incredibly helpful when we were looking to get entrees for the whole family - children included. Would recommend this spot time and time again!

Food was delicious. Service was outstanding. This was our first (definitely won't be the only) visit and thoroughly enjoyed our meal.

Last night was our first visit to Uliveto. We made reservations, sat at the bar, and truly enjoyed every aspect of this dining experience. The staff was friendly and timely in their service, solid cocktails, and flavorful and original appetizers, entrees, and dessert. My husband had a steak and it was perfectly medium rare and the mashed potatoes were amazing. I had the flounder special with greens beans and loved everything about it. We will absolutely be back!

The food was kind of bland. I ordered the clams in white sauce and it was devoid of any flavor. The waitress just brought out some pepper sauce and said just add this. I wanted to try something else but it wasn't an option. My wife and daughter had basically the same experience but thiers were somewhat better. We won't be returning. Also this isn't my first review.

What a Gem! My recent dining experience was a vibrant celebration of Mediterranean flavors, fresh ingredients, and warm hospitality. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, creating a memorable meal from start to finish. We began with the heirloom tomato salad, a simple yet stunning starter. Thick wedges of red and golden tomatoes were topped with ribbons of fresh basil and drizzled with a perfectly balanced balsamic reduction. The tomatoes were at peak ripeness—sweet, juicy, and bursting with summer flavor. Next came the shrimp and artichoke linguine, which was the star of the meal. The pasta was generously coated in a light tomato-based sauce, rich with olive oil and brightened by fresh herbs. Tender shrimp, spinach, artichoke hearts, and cherry tomatoes added texture and complexity, while crumbled feta offered a tangy contrast that tied everything together. The baked eggplant parmesan was a comforting classic, served piping hot in a ceramic dish. Layers of thinly sliced eggplant were smothered in marinara and topped with bubbling melted cheese and a sprinkle of grated parmesan. A single fresh basil leaf added a fragrant finishing touch. Finally, the whole grilled fish, served with a fresh arugula salad and lemon slices, was expertly cooked—crispy skin on the outside, moist and flaky on the inside. The arugula provided a peppery crunch, and a squeeze of lemon brightened every bite. The attention to detail, bold yet balanced flavors, and artful plating made this meal feel like a true Mediterranean escape. I would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for honest, flavorful food in a cozy and colorful setting.

Decided to come here for our date night. The restaurant was packed and had a good atmosphere. The music that was playing was not boring and definitely brought a good vibe to this popular place. We made a reservation but yet still have to wait, but it wasn't much of an issue. We sat at the bar and had some drinks while we waited. We ordered the lemon ginger spritz and white wine. Both we sensational and very refreshing. We finally got our table about 30 minutes after out reservation time. We ordered the calamari, ravioli, and shrimp pasta. All of which were delicious and they definitely didn't short us on the pasta. I could've just had the calamari as a dinner and been perfectly fine. But no, came here for the pasta. The service, knocking down a couple stars because as nice as our waiter was, there were long periods of time where he didn't come. Finished my spritz and water and was still waiting for a refill. I somewhat understood being on how busy the place was, but he walked by a handful of times and didn't check on us. If you don't decide to come, make a reservation for this place fills up and can be difficult to get a table during dinner time. Overall great experience and would come back.

A small group of us went out to catch up over a nice meal. I am so glad this is where we decided to go. It is a small space, so it can get a little loud, but it was not distracting in any way. The staff was very pleasant and provided great service. The food was amazing. We all thoroughly enjoyed our dishes and after tasting each other's we could not decide what we liked the best. I will say the homemade ricotta was soo good, I could eat that on everything. We ordered it with the lemon pasta, and it was the perfect compliment to the acidic lemon. The drinks were good, and deserts perfectly wrapped up a great meal. (Sorry, no pics of the desserts.) We will definitely visit again!

Uliveto is a great spot for a date night or gathering with some friends. The menu is extensive and the wine and cocktail list is very robust. Our food was delicious and the portions were very hearty for the price. They do NOT skimp on the sauce and the seasoning was perfect. Keep in mind that the restaurant is very narrow and small so it can get cramped and very loud. It is not the best spot for an intimate conversation and folx may be uncomfortable squeezing past others to get to their table. Overall, very solid food and great vibes. We would definitely go back!

Richmond boasts an impressive array of Italian eateries, and I thought I had found my go-to spot... until tonight. While I had visited Uliveto once during its opening, after tonight, I can confidently say it won't be my last visit! The Uliveto Paloma cocktail was a delightful and refreshing surprise. Every dish, from the bread to the pasta, was simply exquisite. For appetizers, we savored the bruschetta, which featured the freshest, most flavorful tomatoes; the calamari, which was nothing short of fantastic; and the crab fingers, which I didn't sample myself but my friends couldn't stop raving about (as you can see in the photo!). For our main courses, we indulged in the Limone Pasta, the Amatriciana Pasta, and a steak served with mashed potatoes that was absolutely divine. None of us managed to finish our entrees, and we were too full for dessert. However, here's a tip for your next visit: consider ordering 2-3 appetizers, share a main dish, and definitely save room for dessert!

First visit to this restaurant, and it definitely won't be my last. The only real downside is the parking--but if you can Uber, it's not an issue at all. The restaurant is tucked into a neighborhood and has a very cozy, intimate feel. The indoor space is small and quaint, with a patio available, though it was too cold to enjoy during our visit. Our server was excellent--very knowledgeable about both the menu and the available spirits and wines. We started with the mussels as an appetizer, and they were plentiful and flavorful. For my entrée, I chose the pistachio linguine, and the portion size was generous--almost shareable. It was incredibly tasty and very filling; I only made it through about a quarter of the dish and happily took the rest home. So many other menu items caught my eye that I'll definitely be back to try more. This is absolutely a place worth checking out.

Always wanting to try new places in the neighborhood, we made reservations for my birthday and were not disappointed! It's a smaller, more intimate setting with tables close together which I prefer. The service from start to finish was fantastic and welcoming without being so obtrusive. The wine and cocktail menu is thoughtfully crafted and I wish I could've enjoyed their cocktails, but I'm pregnant, so all the more reason to come back after! In addition to the dinner menu, their specials were enticing, to which we ordered a few things from that. We don't go out often anymore, so we decided to start with the Peaches and Burrata and Fennel Salad to start. They will always bring their house bread with olive oil as well. After those, I enjoyed the Linguine Vongole (clam and white wine broth) and my husband enjoyed the Pappardelle Veal Ragu. Both excellent choices and everything was priced surprisingly fair for the neighborhood and quality. We were seated on the patio and thoroughly enjoyed our experience, so much we decided to make it our weekly spot from here on out. Next, we'll have to try their sister restaurant, Gersi.

We have been here probably ten times and have had a handful of spotty experiences but last night was the worst. My daughter was home from law school and we wanted a special night. Started with having to wait for a table in an absolutely packed bar when we had a reservation. We tried to order an appetizer but were told only full dinner orders accepted. We ordered the roasted garlic bruschetta WITHOUT anchovies. Of course they came with. I had the flounder oregonato which must have been frozen as it was mushy. The bread crumbs were just tossed on top - dry and no flavor. The sautéed green beans rock hard. My daughter had the rigatoni w vodka sauce which was loaded with huge chunks of onions. Will need to take a break from here which hurts since we live just a few blocks away.

Ok ok ok... after swearing off Uliveto bc of the acoustics... I gave it another shot for brunch and was not disappointed. At all! When we brunch, we brunch and we tried a lot and all of it was good. Let's start with the strawberry and ricotta bruschetta. I wanted to ask if the ricotta was house made bc it was perfect! The balance between the creamy ricotta, fresh strawberries and touch of sweetness from the honey was divine. Let's not forget the extra touch from the mint. Perfect start to brunch. We kept the sweet vibes going with the French toast. The menu said try it as a starter and split it for the table. I mean... why not??? My first thought when seeing the thick cut toast was OMG... the carbs!!!! And even though I'm sure it was still carb overload... the bread was so fluffy and light it doesn't feel as heavy as it looks. The berries, banana and the butter.... I mean that butter!!!! Long story short... don't skip the French toast. It might be life changing. I had the baked eggs with sausage and meatballs. Perfect savory end to my meal. Everything was amazing! The service, the food and the drinks... which I didn't even get into!!! They were all good! Started with the seasonal blueberry tequila cocktail and ended with a Hugo spritz. Best decisions I've made all day.

I came here with my family for a nice dinner. This was our first time here and we all loved it. I will say it's best to make a reservation; They just opened up a second room for seating so we got lucky just walking in. This place has great food! I had the veal ragu which was so freaking good and the calamari was also delicious! I will say the cocktails were the best but the wine and martinis were good! It's true it is very loud in the restaurant, it's just the structure of the building and the waiter did say they are working on a plan to fix it. Hopefully there will be improvements soon. Other than that I really enjoyed myself the environment was super cute and elegant. Of course I had to finish my meal with dessert I got the hazelnut panda cotta with a madeira wine, it was so good and they do a cute presentation by drizzling the chocolate in front of you. I didn't try a bite of my mom's tres leches cake it was good but not my favorite. Overall I really liked this place so did the family I would 110% be back for the veal ragu! I didn't get to try the blue crab fingers apparently they sell out so grab them if you can but I will be back to try them out!

Ordered the lemon pasta and it tasted like pasta with a lemon squeezed on it, no complexity. Also the service was very slow. It took an hour to bring our entrees.

Just visited Uliveto with my best friend and her husband the Sunday before Christmas. I wanted to note that because our experience could be related to the hecticness before the holidays. They were incredibly kind to us, we didn't have a reservation and seated us in their new dining space next door. Our server was extremely kind and optimistic, but towards the end of our meal felt like he was rushing us out. We were excited to see that written on their specials menu they operate as a family style restaurant, however, they were strict about our dishes coming out all at the same time instead of staggered, which was fine. We waited a long time for the food, which is probably just because they're learning how to operate with the new space. On our visit we tried the blue crab fingers, calamari, roasted cherry tomato bruschetta, and pistachio pesto pasta. I found myself wishing the dishes had a bit more flavor, they were still pretty yummy. I loved the bread. The crushed red pepper of the pasta was cool. We liked the juices from the crab. My friend's husband enjoyed his fireside cocktail.

Tasty and a super cute spot, but I'm not sure it's worth the hefty price. I got the special ravioli, which was $26 without any protein. It also didn't feel like enough food for meal, they were each like two bites. The waitress was nice, but did totally forgot to put in my friends food and then forgot her drinks as well, so that really delayed our night. If I'm paying the check, I won't be back but if someone else is paying, I'd consider it. I have heard their brunch is amazing and a bit less expensive, might be open to checking that out in the future.

I was with a party of 8 and was sat in "Susannah's room" which is next door to Uliveto. The staff were helpful and decor was a bit lacking in this room. It was very cramped and extremely loud. There were ~25 guests seated in the room and it was difficult to hear the person next to me. This chicken was okay, nothing super special about it in terms of flavor or seasoning.

Uliveto is a favorite of mine! This is my third time here, and the food has been consistently good. A surprise highlight this time around was the roasted garlic and anchovy bruschetta. My favorite from before was a veal tagliatelle-- it's so savory and tender. The staff is very kind and accommodating. The only thing is that it's important that you schedule a reservation ahead of time, especially on the weekends.

Our food overall was great! Great gluten-free pasta. Enjoyed our appetizer. The salmon dish was outstanding, but I will say the portion was a bit small considering the other generous portions that this restaurant offer offers. The wine was good, but the espresso martini was lacking. Would not get that again. Small and energetic restaurant. Overall all a good experience and we would go back again.

This place felt special. The patio, music, cocktails, & wine added to what was a wonderful experience. We tried the roasted cherry tomato bruschetta, strawberry bruschetta, blue crab fingers, gnocchi, kale salad, salmon and creamy tomato soup. Both bruschetta versions were absolutely delicious. High quality, fresh ingredients made this so memorable. The strawberry version was so refreshing and tasted like a bite of spring. The crab fingers were a bit overcooked and tough but the wine butter sauce was tasty. The gnocchi felt pretty heavy and was overpowered by the amount of cheese. The soup was flavorful, but the whole pieces of basil made it difficult to eat. The salmon was very well seasoned and moist. Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience and talk about the bruschetta daily.

3.75 - Food was very good, but like others mentioned, I'm not sure it was $32 for pasta good. I get their deal is homemade pasta, but a box GF pasta surcharge when the alternative is handmade pasta felt a bit odd. Also the first restaurant I've been to in Richmond that doesn't offer free refills on soft drinks. My drink was 60% ice both times I got it, so paying almost $7 for essentially a can of ginger ale cost a star in itself. Service was good, they have someone running around with a water pitcher which was nice. Cute ambiance inside, just a bit packed together.

Outdoor seating has a very vibrant atmosphere and the portions are very generous. Make sure to get the homemade pasta, you can substitute it! Pistachio pesto was great with a little kick of spice and the lemon pasta was tangy but balanced. Servers were very attentive and friendly as well.

Probably a smidge better than their sister restaurant, Gersi, because the space is much nicer. Food is great, every item. Can get overwhelming because they have such a large menu, but everything is a hit.

First time visit, Saturday evening. Sat at the bar and had a great time talking with bar tender and the food was wonderful. Noise level little high but not unexpected. Definitely will return for sure.

Went here on a Friday night, there were three of us. Perfect cosmos to start! We got two seafood apps the crab and mussels.. both absolutely delicious and the sauce of the dishes were amazing. Forgot to take a pic of the pasta because I was having such a great experience. Service was good, our food did come out all at once but there was a large party they didn't want our food to get delayed. Lovely little patio and the inside was also adorable. Would definitely recommend and I hope to be back.

I just want to take a moment and thank Uliveto for their donation to the American Heart Association RVA Heart Ball 2024. The silent auction raised $56,184 which is the largest amount raised ever. It's so great when businesses are willing to donate to a great cause. Definitely one of my fave restaurants to go to for Italian, honestly it's on our rotation as much as Edo's Squid and I think that says a lot. The Gnocchi is the best in the area!and it's on our rotation! Everything is amazing. Thank you

I had dinner reservations for two outside and we literally got placed on the table outside next to the street. We were told that was there "walk in" table. I asked to be moved to the outside patio portion and after 20minutes a table cleared and we got moved. I got the Garlic & Anchovies Bruschetta ($10), Butternut Squash Risotto($20) with shrimp (+$12), and Linguine with gulf Shrimp ($27) . The Bruschetta was very crispy, garlicky , and had a surprising strong anchovy saltines taste to it! I definitely loved it, very savory! The Risotto was really amazing! Creamy, sweet, and super flavorful. The Shrimp was on the side and were grilled perfectly! The shrimps were quite big for the size but there was only 6 of them, nonetheless very delicious! The linguine was very big portion wise, probably about 2 serving which was amazing. However it didn't really amaze me, it was a bit watery with a slight spicy tomato sauce. It's a nice restaurant but definitely very packed between tables. Overall a good experience here. Food(50%): 8.2 Staff/service(25%): 6.5 Value(25%): 6.5 Overall: 7.4/10

Incredible food and service. I was able to make a Saturday reservation for 5pm the morning of via the Resy app. By 530pm, it was PACKED. Outdoor patio, bar, and dining room seating available. The dining room/bar gets VERY cramped and loud - they could definitely do with a few less tables to make their guests more comfortable. We had to adjust our plates/tables every time someone had to get out. I'm honestly surprised it's not a safety hazard/violation. Our waitress Emma was amazing - her recs and modifications were 10/10. She checked in on us frequently and was very attentive throughout our visit. The leek and pancetta bruschetta was truly outstanding. So simple yet such a unique pairing with the rabiola cheese + leek veggie. I got the pistachio pesto pasta as my entree - it was SO creamy, saucy, fresh, and even a bit spicy. Emma suggested adding feta crumbles which made it even more savory. The $11 add-on chicken was okay - it had a lemon pepper taste but was a bit dry. I would have been happy with just the pasta. I got the fig sour and signora rosa cocktails - both light and fresh and delicious. For dessert, my friend and I split their version of the tres lèche - SO good.

Great food. Crowded but friendly neighborhood vibe. Excellent menu and drinks are well measured.

Great Italian Cuisine. Corner Bistro with a great vibe & ambience. They have a wonderful special menu to go along with their everyday fare. The service was excellent and the food delicious.

The evening started out with the chipper hostess relocating our table to the back of the restaurant next to the bathroom door, kitchen and staff holding area in a basically empty restaurant at 5 pm. Maybe because we aren't 30 any more?? Our server was good and helpful. We had the anchovy appetizer and the toast was cold and hard. I had the fish, sea bass, which was pretty boney and a little dry. Everyone else had a variety of pasta dishes which were quite good according to my wife and friends. Lesson, stick to the pasta here. I see you hostess, don't be a snob.

Excellent service and every dish we had was delicious except the calamari which was a bit overcooked. The mussels and linguine, sautéed wild mushrooms and papperdelle veal ragu were our favorites. Cozy and lively inside. It's a bit noisy so not a great spot if you want to have conversation without speaking loudly or trying to hear above the noise.

So happy we tried this place. We dubbed it "the meal we'll remember for the rest of our lives". We also got the blue crab fingers with the most perfect butter broth. They gave us extra bread to dip in it. Our friends got the whole branzino & salmon with mashed potatoes. Everything was incredible! Our server was very helpful and friendly.

Went here for my birthday dinner and absolutely loved it! The food was amazing. And the staff are so lovely and attentive and thoughtful. They have beautiful decor and a good sized patio with little heaters for colder months (this was back in October). It's very yummy and thoughtfully made Italian cuisine. Beautifully presented. It has an elevated homey, rustic, eclectic feel. Can't remember the name of the pasta that I was crazy over, but it was like ziti noodles and a red sauce with sausage and ricotta. Get it!!! And the tiramisu was perfect!! They surprised me with a free dessert with birthday candles, which was so sweet The restaurant was pretty packed at the time that I went. It appears they are popular, good for them! The patio was more chill, but the inside of the restaurant was pretty bustling and boisterous. Street parking in the fan neighborhood. There's usually parking nearby. At the furthest, you'll have to walk a block to the restaurant. Make reservations if you can! Highly recommend!!

The best Mediterranean food I've had in Richmond. So flavorful and delicious. Service was good, really busy during brunch as expected. Patio area is small but still a nice vibe for eating outdoors. Food itself felt like you were transported to the Mediterranean and like a mini vacation. The bruschetta was my absolute favorite! Looking forward to going back and trying new things.

I would rate my experience at Uliveto at 3.5 stars. The pasta was amazing and I liked the furnishings and offerings on the menu but a few things were left to be desired. The night I dined it was very crowded. Cheers to them for being busy but the place is very cramped with your elbows knocking into the guests next to you and I had to shout to hear my partner. Our server was friendly but we did not see her often. The pasta, however, was incredible! Definitely recommend the linguine vongole. The beet salad and calamari were just alright and the mussels were disappointing. We loved our cocktails and plan to return perhaps for a lunch or sit outside and it might be more romantic and less chaotic.

We LOVED Uliveto! We came in a group of 5 people with a reservation, and the staff were super friendly and quick with drink orders. We did have to wait a little over an hour for our food, but everything came out delicious. We got the veal ragu and amatriciana for dinner. We tried out the old fashioned, a couple of wines, and a limoncello drink and all were delicious! We had a great time and we will absolutely be back for a date night! Would recommend!

My family made a trip to Uliveto for brunch the other week. It was absolutely wonderful. The service made us feel right at home and the food was delicious. If you're looking for a restaurant with a little fast paced but personal ambiance i would definitely stop by.

I was honestly really bummed with my experience. I had high hopes based on what I had heard from family. The good: The mozzarella bufala was yummy. The bad: The service was pretty poor. Never cleared our plates. Super slow to refill our waters. The keftedes was super dry and my Chilean sea bass was burnt and incredibly dry.

Awesome food, hope they bring back the grilled octopus . Service is great as always, very cozy and friendly, good for date night. Suggestions to make reservations. Waitress Skylar is awesome

Wowww, what a gem of a restaurant -- great service, great food, and great ambiance. My friend and I came here because she wanted to try, but I had never heard of this place. Pasta is one of my favorites things to eat and I don't get to eat a lot anymore bc I try to watch my carbs lol. As soon as we walked in, we were warmly greeted and sat (and to mention, the place was busy and packed! So I'm grateful they were able to seat us without a reservation). Our host and waiter were so polite and very attentive. My friend ordered the Pappardalle pasta that came with veal and I ordered the Limone with Shrimp -- both were sooooo good! I also got a side of string beans and they were very fresh and light, I loved them. I definitely recommend eating here and I can't wait to come back and try something new!

This is my third time and the food is always amazing. However this most recent time it seemed like they added another table inside and it is impossibly crowded. Tables are 1in from each other and it is too loud to hear the person across from you. The staff brought us the wrong table's food multiple times and it took quite a while to get ours. I think they could serve the same number of people with much better experience if they took out a table and spread the reservations more.

Amazing food and service. The space was small but intimate. Would recommend making a reservation ahead of time. There's a wide variety of flavors across the appetizers, main dishes, and specials. We really enjoyed the blue crab gingers, linguine vongole, and corn risotto!

Uliveto is the sister restaurant to Gersi and we really like Gersi so we were pretty sure they would compare. Fresh homemade Italian food! Homemade pasta, which is the real deal Excellent flavors, seasonal ingredients and generous portions. They have a core menu and then seasonal specials. Nice wine list and seasonal cocktails Service is good and relatively fast but it's more like a diner service vs upscale restaurant service. Uliveto is in the old Secco Wine Bar location so if you dined there, you know it's SMALL and LOUD inside. The tables were ridiculously close together. While the food is great, I doubt I will be a regular due to the seating and volume. Logistics: Patio seating with umbrellas. Street parking. Gender neutral bathroom. Reservations recommended......we were there on a Saturday and it was packed. +1 Service +1 Food~Taste/flavor/quality +1 Presentation Atmosphere/vibe +1 Value

LOVE Uliveto! Went yesterday with my mom for brunch and we had a great time. We got lucky because it was practically empty in there (which never happens, it is always packed). Service was fantastic and our food was amazing as well. The Sicilian salad is one of my favorite salads in RVA and it always comes out perfect. I split that and a PLT (prosciutto, tomato, lettuce) with my mom and it was absolutely delicious. Prosciutto was crispy, bread was toasted but not hard, and we added mozzarella to it. I would highly recommend, definitely one of the best Italian restaurants in Richmond! Same owners as Gersi :)

I love this place! The food was absolutely amazing and I love that the pasta is homemade. Paired with a Spritz, I felt like I was right back in Florence. It was really busy on a Saturday night and the restaurant is small so I highly recommend making reservations in advance. The staff are all very kind and helpful, explaining menu items that we were unfamiliar with and providing us with drink recommendations. It is street parking only and they also have a small patio when the weather becomes nice.

We went for the first time the other day and started with one of their specials: blue crab fingers. The appetizer was delicious, I would go back just for that. They provided fresh bread which we dunked into the broth. Their drinks were great as well. When it came to the mains I got their ravioli which was a bit lack luster compared to the rest of the food. It might've been an off-night because they make their ravioli in house and this one was a bit uncooked/hard on the edges, which made me think they either let the ravioli dry out too much or it was undercooked. Regardless, as a whole this meal was great, I loved the ambiance, and the staff were very kind. I would definitely go back again.

Phenomenal from start to finish. Came here for a late post-dinner bite one time and sat at the bar, this time made a reservation for a full meal. Service is excellent. It's a bit loud and cramped in there but the servers/hosts/bartenders do a great job and are very friendly. Drinks are solid but the food is the real standout here. Even the bread is delicious, I think it's focaccia? Beets and gorgonzola app was delectable, perfectly balanced in flavors, the perfect bite. Pistachio pesto pasta was solid, didn't wow me as much as I had hoped but had a very nice earthy and nutty flavor. Linguine with wild gulf shrimp was so delicious, wonderful blend of Mediterranean flavors and wonderfully spicy! Homemade gnocchi was more traditional in flavor and a comforting meal, it tasted even better when I added crushed chili flakes. Hazelnut panna cotta - drizzled with chocolate sauce and served with berries - heavenly. Tiramisu - slightly more whipped cream forward and less ladyfinger forward but still good.

I had such a great experience dining here on Christmas Eve. Just recently over the soft opening phase, Ultiveto is a warm, inviting and intimate addition to the former Secco space. I loved everything about my visit -- from the food to the ambiance to the service -- and can't wait to return. For drinks, I had the ruby margarita, good tidings, and pink lady cocktails. All were top tier. Honestly, I probably couldn't pick a favorite. I will say the good tidings went down the fastest though! It's cool that they have both a regular cocktail list and a specials list. For food, I ordered the kale salad to start. While tasty, the menu didn't mention the additions of massive croutons and tomatoes. I'm not big on either, so I'd love to see transparency on that. Obviously I was fine eating around them though. I also remembered to ask for the olives and bread -- so good, love olives! For my meal, I ordered the whole fish special. I'm not a big fish person but I'm trying to eat more of it, so I asked to have the head cut off. It was a bronzino and quite good. I also ordered a side of broccoli, which I enjoyed but would've loved to have been chopped down further since I am lazy. For dessert, I had the vanilla panna cotta and it was insanely delectable. Really the perfect end to a top tier meal. Service by Alejandro was great throughout, and our waters were never empty. Really everyone who worked there was welcoming and kind. There was no way to tell that they had just opened and were handling a busy holiday seating. Thank you, Ultiveto team, and I wish you all the luck as you put down your roots!

We came out for a night to Richmond looking for a good gluten free restaurant to try since I have a gluten allergy. Uliveto looked great and I even called hours before arriving asking if they were safe with gluten allergies and the assured me that they absolutely were. Looking at the menu I was so excited since everything looked great and we ordered an appetizer and some mussels. I made sure my waiter knew I had an allergy and that my meal had to be gluten free. The appetizer AND mussels both arrived with bread on the dish back to back. That is so unbelievable considering I have a severe allergy and was assured my meal would be safe over the phone and in person. They fixed it which was great but it should've never happened in the first place. The food was absolutely delicious all considering so if I was in town again I would come back just to try other things. Just be super cautious there if you are also celiac, they didn't put much care into it.

Uliveto is overall a 4.5/5 in my book !! Pasta is always cooked great & al dente. Flavors are usually great too! Pasta al limone is a classic, and the rotating pasta specials have all been even better. Only thing I would not recommend is the risotto (occasionally on their special menu). Last time I tried their risotto it was VERY rice-in-soupy-liquid vibes and just no where near as good as their other dishes. HIGHLY recommend the mashed potatoes (salty, lemony, buttery, perfect) and the leek & pancetta bruschetta (although occasionally the leeks are a little undercooked, but usually it's amazing). Drinks have almost always been great too.

The ambiance was nice and pretty lighting. Our food was ok. We got "fruit and prosciutto", asked the waiter what was the fruit hoping it was cantaloupe (the norm in Italy), and he said yes. It comes to the table with super salty almost like Virginia ham thick with small slices of fig and Parmesan slices on top. It was not good, the ham was just not good and the fig just didn't go well with it, especially because it wasn't sweet. Was very disappointed, plus the staff was not knowledgeable about a lot of the menu. Then our meals came and everyone seemed to enjoy most of them. My friend got the pesto gnocchi, which had added potatoes in it. Gnocchi is made from potatoes so it was double dosage and very garlicky with a little too much pesto. Texture wasn't bad. The cacio pepe was good and pasta was Al dente but so much sauce and salt...it overpowered a bit. The last pasta dish with the salty pork was good! Cooked perfect and we didn't have anything bad to say about that dish!! The dessert was a pana cotta and it was ok, not as traditional as I'm use to.

My friend took me here for brunch and it was an excellent experience. It was hard to decide between the breakfast dishes and fresh pasta but I ended up deciding on breakfast. I chose the eggs polenta which has fennel and prosciutto. So so delicious! I also ordered a fresh pasta to go to have later. This was truly an exceptional meal

Remember Secco? Me neither. Located on the corner of Robinson and Stuart, this small restaurant is your answer to a carb craving. Their pasta is so fresh, flavorful, and filling! You will leave happy if you enjoy true and authentic Mediterranean/Italian cuisine. Everyone was so pleasant and friendly! Our server, Alan, was awesome. He checked on our table often but not so much that it was overbearing; Alan was very kind and efficient. Various servers made sure our water glasses stayed full, too. It was greatly appreciated on such a hot day. On to the goods: -- Paper Plane: cocktail consisting of Bourbon, Aperol, Lemon, and Amaro Montenegro. I'm a bourbon girl and wasn't expecting this drink to be so light, citrusy, and adorable. I really loved the glass and presentation. Delicious. -- Cetriolo Gimlet: Gin, Parsley, Cucumber, Lime, and Black Pepper. My friend ordered this drink. We thought it would taste savory and spicy but it was surprisingly mild and refreshing as you would expect a cucumber drink to taste. It was quite unusual for a cocktail but in the best way possible. So unique. -- Complimentary bread: I didn't taste this because I could tell it was full of olives (I don't like olives). It looked good, though. -- Grilled Polenta: An appetizer special. The gorgonzola covering the polenta was overpowering but it was still really tasty. I love polenta and I didn't want anything to overshadow the taste, so I scraped the gorgonzola off (of course I ate it; didn't discard) and ate the polenta separately. -- Brushetta (roasted garlic and anchovies): Amazing! Big thanks to my friend because I wouldn't have otherwise ordered this type of bruschetta, but I'm always down to try something different. It was delicious! Perfectly salty and balanced by the cheese covering the anchovy paste. -- Gnocchi Genovese: A pasta special. served with pesto Genovese and green beans. The pesto itself and the pasta were so fresh, bright, and full of multidimensional flavor. -- Pistachio Pesto Linguini: A pasta special. Again - fresh, bright, and extremely flavorful. Just perfect and unique. I love the added kick of pepper. Can pasta be sexy? This pasta was sexy. -- Trilece: basically the Mediterranean version of tres leches cake. It stands apart by the salted caramel covering the top. We had the pleasure of sitting near the kitchen and had the privilege of seeing so many delectable-looking plates come out. I can't wait to return and try something new!

Our first visit to Richmond and Ulivito was highly recommended. The earliest reservation we could get was7pm. We were seated promptly. The restaurant was quite busy but the service was quick and friendly. A shared appetizer of grilled octopus was very generous and delicious. Pappardelle veal ragu was generous and very well prepared.y wife had spinach ravioli also quite good. Our waiter John was friendly and very efficient. A little noisy but a lively crowd. I would recommend.

Surprised at our disappointment. Was supposed to be a Celebratory Dinner for our Family with everyone heading off after the Holidays??? The Lions Paw couldn't be a worse place to carry a conversation.. try and read lips-Good Luck! Waitress was too Cool for us...tried to get her to smile....If you weren't a Heavy Drink orderer Plan "B" wasn't for her to try and loosen up and actually read the table and upsell?? Food delivered in waves and incomplete and left off items being brought to the table when Entree was 75% completed? Grated Cheese for dishes same thing? Grossly understaffed with tables being cleared and waits between courses painfully at a Turtles pace?? Food honestly was pretty bland and our Family/ Guests commented that Franks West ( where they had been to the Night before) was a better value as far as Food and Service...save your Money if your the Host. When we tried to express our frustrations guess what.... No General Manager- On a Saturday Night??? Auto Pilot is not working. We hoped for more.. not to leave feeling so shortchanged??