If it weren’t for the cramped accommodations at Olivella’s Avera Pizza Napoletana, SMU students and faculty would overtake the restaurant. Located directly behind Goff’s on McFarlin Boulevard, the small quarters are apparent from the façade, indicating that this is not a chain or a clone.
Olivella’s curb appeal matches its neighbors who occupy the same building. The beige brick and Americana style of the complex provides a perfect canvas for the cultured creations inside. With a few tables outdoors, the restaurant is both inviting and welcoming to newcomers. Although parking is limited in the area, spaces are available in a short walking distance in the lot off Hillcrest or down McFarlin.
Upon entering the restaurant, all expectations are met and surpassed. The interior elements are obviously of high caliber. The wine bar that immediately greets you is topped with real wood and accented with leather-covered stools. A handful of tables and booths create a casual elegance and comfort, while the candles and rolled napkins complete the tables.
Antique wood floors and intricate ceiling tiles give the place a historic and classic feel. Textured walls complete the structure’s essentials in true Italian flavor. The kitchen is directly behind the bar, allowing customers full view of the cooking staff. Mediterranean and eclectic art also fit Olivella’s theme, fooling some as to where they really are – next to a major university in Dallas or off the streets in Italy? Although the space in the restaurant is extremely limited, the overall beauty and European inspiration distract you from the reality.
Olivella’s Avera Pizza Napoletana and its history are tied directly to Italy. The owner, Charlie Green, does not run any other restaurant, focusing all of his attention on his truly Italian creation. Olivella’s holds legitimacy because of its direct link to a family in Naples. As Green’s inspiration, he constructed Olivella’s to honor the family’s long legacy and expertise in the field of pizza. Realizing the local discrepancy, Charlie Green successfully founded one of the only restaurants in the Dallas area that provides true, traditional and Italian pizza. To insure that the food stays true to the original, Olivella’s prepares everything from the cheese to the bread in house, at the very location. Olivella’s is also available for parties of six or more with a reservation. Catering, take out and rentals are all available upon request.
The menu contains a small variety of finely tuned choices. All options prove to be fairly reasonable, but certainly more expensive, and rightfully so, than Stromboli Cafe around the corner. Famous for its pizza, Olivella’s offers an assortment in this category. Regular size is plenty for two people, while the mezzo metro feeds more than three.
The Snow White provides a uniquely European flavor, blowing American versions out of the water. This pizza’s main focus is on cheese, including both ricotta and mozzarella, completely excluding any trace of tomato sauce. Additionally, the Margherita breaks all preconceived notions.
There is no fruit or anything tropical on top of the pizza, just a tomato base, homemade cheeses and basil. This creates a fresh twist that is irresistible. In addition to pizza, the restaurant offers panini sandwiches and salads. The Sausage Parmigiano is fresh and spicy, offering customers an option instead of traditional pizza. The Tricolore is a light and tasty compilation of tomato, meats and herbs.
Despite the site’s shortcomings, Olivella’s Avera Pizza Napoletana gives more than enough reasons to forgive and forget. With dining options and food choices that blow its neighboring competition out of the water, Olivella’s is a nearby opportunity that cannot be passed on. I advise that everyone puts this restaurant on their list, even if it means breaking a routine – Olivella’s will not disappoint.
