Yes, I know; they've been driving up house prices, taking over Premier League teams and generally flaunting their wealth in the capital, BUT your average Russian oligarch knows his food. Or at least that was my take having sat next to a particularly monied Black Sea set at Oliviomare some time ago. They knew what I now know, that this place is special and does a niche cuisine very, very well indeed.
I'd been there before with work, and now felt confident enough to go there on my own dollar, based on my wife's desire to try more seafood restaurants. Being the cunning marketeer I am, I thought fish + Italian (wife's favourite) = Oliviomare.
What a great choice it turned out to be. My starter of crab linguine was faultless, simply exquisite, and paired nicely with the white I'd selected. The main course of seabass with black olives and a simple sauce brought memories of my trip to Italy flooding back. Initially, I was reminded of the happy times in Tuscany and their simple approach to rustic food. Laterly, I recalled the stress related journey's in that damn French car we hired when the sat nav failed... Move on Leigh, just move on.
At Italian restaurants I rarely look beyond the Panna Cotta on the desert menu, and had one of a very high standard - how do they damn well do it?
In conclusion then, a great place that has served me well a couple of times and even amazed me at point. The only moan I have is the cost - it doesn't come cheap. In fact, if you are the Chinese bloke who offered me a couple of grand for one of my kidney's on eBay then I could well be up for it if I go back to Oliviomare again this year. But at least I'll know that it is money well spent.