Olivella

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Where Italy Meets the California Coast

At Olivella, set along Country Club Road in the quiet hills of Ojai, Chef Andrew Foskey has built something genuinely distinctive: Italian cuisine grounded in tradition but alive with the produce, seafood, and spirit of California. The result earned Olivella a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating — recognition that speaks to the consistency and care running through every element of the experience.

The Food

The menu moves between the familiar and the unexpected with confidence. Sustainably farmed TransparentSea Farm king prawns arrive with prawn butter, fennel, prosciutto, and cherry peppers — a dish that is unmistakably Italian in structure yet rooted in local sourcing. Channel Islands swordfish, plated with endive, sea bean, caper, and white wine sauce, draws directly from the waters nearby. And then there is the rigatoni Bolognese — a century-old recipe that has been on the menu since Olivella opened, a quiet anchor amid the seasonal change around it.

Desserts hold their own. The Ojai olive oil cake — built with candied fennel, olive oil curd, pistachio, basil meringue, and Greek yogurt sorbet — is a small study in local identity. An almond and cherry semifreddo with pomegranate, Luxardo cherries, and almond crumble offers something cooler and more playful. A rotating selection of California and Italian cheeses rounds things out for those who prefer to finish savory.

Drinks and the Room

The wine program leans toward California vintages while keeping a thoughtful selection of Italian bottles in reserve. Sommeliers are present to guide pairings, and a four-course wine-pairing dinner option is available for those who want a more structured experience. The cocktail list has personality — A Clockwork Orange, combining gin, Campari, vermouth, basil, and balsamic, sets the tone — and the spirits selection covers serious ground in whiskey, tequila, and beyond.

Private dining is available, making Olivella a natural choice for occasions that call for something more than a table in the main room.