Located in Quarry Street, Olivo was first opened in 1997 by Nicky and Fulvio Bertani. According to Guildford Museum, the building is a late Elizabethan timber-framed house, dating back to the early 1660s. The property boasts many internal features including timber beams, intricate woodwork and the original fireplace, which is now the bar. The earliest written record of the building dates back to 1745, when the premises operated as a pub, known as The Kitt. Over the next 40 years the name changed to The Sheep Shearers, The King's Head and The Sun.

From the early 19th-Century, through to 1859, the premises became a butcher's shop and later the first public dispensary, up until the Royal Surrey County Hospital opened in 1866. Once again 53 Quarry Street became a pub and then later an antique furniture shop. In 1910 major alterations were carried out and the original courtyard was filled in by a single-storey shop front. At that time the building was also divided into two separate shops. For 50 years the corner shop was occupied by a tobacconist called Pipers, but from 1968 both premises were amalgamated and Bridleways, a local saddlery firm, began trading. Finally in 1997, Olivo opened its doors. The current restaurant manager, Paolo Ditale, has a real passion for food, service and detail. He has created a superb style of service, accompanied by an amazing menu. Perhaps you could begin your meal at Olivo with fresh asparagus wrapped in ham and baked in the oven with white wine, butter and Parmesan, before moving on to square ravioli filled with ricotta cheese, mixed seafood and lobster, served with tiger prawns and langoustines on a bed of rocket salad in a garlic, white wine, chilli and tomato sauce.

Every dish is freshly prepared from scratch so, to enjoy the Olivo experience to the full, simply relax and be prepared to wait - as the Bertanis rightly remind diners, Rome wasn't built in a day. Trust me, the food is here is worth every second of anticipation.