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Olivino
Category: Food Beer, Wine & Spirits Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
905 Fulton Street(between Clinton Ave & Vanderbilt Ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Neighborhood: Clinton Hill
(718) 857-7952
- Nearest Transit:
-
Clinton - Washington Avs (A, C)
Clinton - Washington Avs (G)
Lafayette Av (A, C)
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Hayley A. said: "I love this place. Everyone needs a good liquor store, and this place is really there for the FiDi people. It's open late, it's well-staffed, it's clean, organized and always has music playing. On weekends, it's almost like you're…" read more »
21 reviews for Olivino
Review Highlights
"Super cute, well-stocked neighborhood wine shop."
(in 3 reviews)
"The knowledgeable staff is very friendly and attentive but..."
(in 3 reviews)
"Besides the resident mascot pug Olive, who happens to be..."
(in 2 reviews)
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21 reviews in English
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Review from Julia K.
Brooklyn, NY
10/29/2011
I don't *dislike* Olivino--but I typically only come here as a last resort. Like when I have a particularly hellacious night class and realize (while on the subway) that a glass of wine would greatly enhance my viewing of Glee that night.
When I plan ahead, I go to Trader Joe's or the Greene Grape. But as a last resort, Olivino's is just fine. If they lowered their prices just a little (the cheapest bottle I've found is $7.99) I'd be more inclined to go there all the time. -
Review from Brendan T.
Brooklyn, NY
12/22/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I come here on occasion when I am seeking one of the particular wines from the excellently chosen selection that is not available at Greene Grape. Certainly this place would be a great asset to residents of the immediate neighborhood, if I was one I would surely become a regular out of sheer necessity. Once I became a regular I would likely be treated significantly better. That I not the case however and every time I venture in here I find the service to be extremely rude to the point of being discourteous. What could have easily been declared a solid four star neighborhood gem solely on the strength of the aforementioned selection if only a shred of common courtesy was displayed by its cooler-than you staff, Olivino is instead pulled all the way down to a two rating by yet another example of "New Brooklyn" service at its pretentious worst.
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Review from JAI Y.
Brooklyn, NY
6/26/2011
Every time I go into this establishment, there is different staff members and all of them have an attitude. Why can't you just welcome the customer instead of not greeting them and standing like a tree behind a counter without any emotion? It makes me feel like not having a glass of wine after dealing with you. Full of bad energy in this store, though pretty good wine selection and so-so sake selection.Good for back up in case you missed to purchase a bottle from your favorite wine store.
GET A GRIP, POR FAVOR. -
Review from maria m.
9/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
This isn't my neighborhood wine shop, so I don't go as often. I've stopped in probably about ten times in the last few years. I always find what I need and the staff tends to be pretty friendly. I like all the options, and that you can find boxed wines for the times you're heading to the park and you can find a few options in the $8-$10 range for the times you don't feel like a splurge.
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Review from M. K.
Brooklyn, NY
8/28/2011
Olivino is the bee's knees. Besides the resident mascot pug Olive, who happens to be the most beautiful, sweet pug I have ever met, this place is exactly what a wine shop should be. The knowledgeable staff is very friendly and attentive but also laid-back and will let you peruse at your own pace. The wine prices range from a cheap weeknight merlot to fancy champagnes, and everything in between. Not a huge selection, but everything in there is just what you're looking for. The most wonderful surprise has been that I've NEVER bought a bad bottle of wine. Perfect shop for locals. A+ for Olivino.
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Review from bklyn b.
Brooklyn, NY
7/5/2011
THEY DELIVER!! Quickly! 15%discount on cases!
Helpful and friendly 'neighborhoody' service. Great selections and prices too. If I lived a little closer, I'd go all the time, but I live close enough that they deliver to me, so that's pretty great. Pay with my amex on the phone (getting Jet Blue miles to boot!) and before I know it my wine is here! -
Review from Michael J.
Brooklyn, NY
3/27/2007
Olivino is a small wine store right on Fulton adjacent to the Clinton Washington stop on the C train. From what I have been able to gather, the neighborhood was without a wine shop; so Olivino is obviously a welcome addition.
The wine selection is limited but still a bit interesting. Don't expect to find too many obscure selections or varietals. There are many affordable wines and the majority are fairly priced.
On a number of occasions, I have stopped by found that they were having an informal tasting. To my surprise, almost every time, no one that was serving the wine knew what grape it was, and after finding out what it was, they didn't know much or anything about the grape anyway. I don't know every grape or wine and I can't always articulate a wines characteristics, but if one is to host a wine tasting, informal or not, they should do a lot more homework.
That said, the staff is very nice and easy going, and willing to help/ look things up. We couldn't live w/o them. -
Review from Shaina S.
Brooklyn, NY
9/12/2008
My neighborhood go-to wine store [even though it's the only one in area, I would still go here first!]. Conveniently located right near the Clinton/Washington subway station this a small but well-stocked wine store. Prices are very reasonable and the staff is super friendly. They also seem to have a good grasp on their stock and have recommended some really tasty wines. They do wine tasting occaisionally and have cold bottles of their whites and champagnes available if you ask. I like that they stay open until 10PM, when most things in the neighborhood have already closed.
Oh and Olive is the cutest dog ever. That deserves a 5th star. -
Review from Stacey G.
Brooklyn, NY
4/4/2008
Hmmm, unlike Shep, reviewer before me, I've only had very pleasant experiences at Olivino. In fact, I went in last Saturday afternoon to pick up a bottle of white to bring to my friend's place in Greenwich Village.
Now, I wish I had the funds to spend lots of money on awesome wines, but since I work in publishing, a less than lucrative field for anyone who is unaware, I tend to seek out affordable but nonetheless great bottles. Plus I also know, from having waited tables for many years, that it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to get a good bottle of wine.
So, I went in, explained what I was looking for, "a nice aperitif that isn't very expensive. A white," and was rewarded with several choices under 15 bucks. I went with the Muller Thurgau, an Italian varietal that manages to be full-bodied and slightly dry with a hint of sweetness, perfect for a starter bottle. It was only $10.99, and the two people working in the store were right on in their descriptions of the bottle. -
Review from Sarah S.
Brooklyn, NY
6/13/2011
Nice selection for Clinton Hill and am happy that they are there...! Helpful and very friendly staff in general with the exception of two bad experiences with of one of the employees. A slim gentleman with long dark hair and glasses, very condescending, extremely rude and didn't bother to thank me after my purchase. I love the shop other than that..and am hoping he was just filling in for someone that was sick..
The owner and the pug that keeps tabs on everyone are both very charming. -
Review from Maggie T.
Brooklyn, NY
10/31/2011
i used to come to olivino all the time. it's really close to my apartment, and frankly there aren't many options around here. in the past, the staff--well actually there was always the same person in here--had been really friendly, and she seemed fairly knowledgeable.
in recent months that's changed. everytime i've been in lately there are two people working in there: a new to me extra catty guy, and the formerly friendly girl who seems like she's trying to keep up. they're always chattering loudly and incessantly about their friends' inane melodramas and can no longer be bothered to even acknowledge you or ask if you want help (um, the store's not that big guys and you don't have that many customers). when they do get around to acknowledging your presence, the two employees i keep seeing in there lately are snappy and curt, and tonight was the last straw.
while i was in there another customer inquired--very nicely--if they had something in stock, and when they didn't, when it would be back. it was a seemingly pleasant interaction, but as soon as the customer left one of the clerks started bitchily mocking him. i'd had enough of their bitchiness as of late so i told him i thought it was rude to talk about their customers like that. (tip: if you don't want your customers to get offended, don't talk shit about them in a 10 by 10 room). the catty guy said he didn't think it was rude. i responded, well that guy was just trying to give you his money (assuming it was implied that i meant "patronize your establishment.") he responded, "that customer's trying to give my boss money, not me, that doesn't have anything to do with me." oh i'm sorry for overestimating your intelligence, but the store needs customers to keep employing people, so actually it does have something to do with you.
i've done plenty of customer service in my life and gave my share of attitude to rude customers, but this was totally uncalled for. the staff lately seems like the hipper-than-thou record store nerds from "high fidelity" or those jackasses from "clerks" who take out their personal misery on unsuspecting customers. sorry, but if you're too cool to work at a f*ing wine shop, it's not my (or that other customer's) fault you have to work there. don't take it out on your good customers or we won't be back. i know i won't. -
Review from Shep L.
Brooklyn, NY
2/23/2008
This place is cute and I appreciate that they are in the neighborhood, but I think the service could be a bit friendlier. I went in with a friend and my boyfriend, and we were not greeted nor we were given any assistance. Being a wine enjoyer but far from being a connoisseur, some guidance would have been appreciated.
I definitely will be back due to the convenience factor. I hope next time the staff will acknowledge my presence and make some suggestions! -
Review from David C.
Brooklyn, NY
3/3/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I give the folks who run Olivino (and the nearby Bar Olivino) a lot of credit. They opened both establishments on a depressing stretch of Fulton Avenue that runs between Washington Ave, all the way down to Fort Greene, that for a long time has been devoid of virtually anything of note. (Unless, of course, you count lousy diners, empty storefronts and postapocalyptically understocked bodegas.)
And the wine store, at least, is a success. Friendly, homey, well-stocked, reasonably priced ($12-20 being the sweet spot, featuring lots of neat below-the-radar type varietals) and convenient to denizens of Clinton Hill, I make it my first stop when I need a bottle of wine or two.
Now if only other merchants would follow suit--it's time for a Fulton Avenue renaissance, no? -
Review from Ivey I.
Brooklyn, NY
4/9/2010
When I left Myrtle avenue and the wonderful Gnarly Vines and moved near Fulton I was a bit distressed. I had really gotten used to the amazing affordable selection, really friendly neighborhood service and cool space.
Luckily I found Olivino soon after making the move, that day in fact. They have a great selection at decent prices, and Txacoli! I have been searching for this amazing wine for centuries and lo and behold tada right under by nose, I once payed $100 for a bottle at a restaurant because I was so ecstatic to see this little basque wine on the menu, but here it is only $20, ho ho ho.
They also sell beautiful cards, in case you are picking up a last minute celebratory bottle (psst there is also a cake shop across the street, and a flower shop around the corner, all your birthday, anniversary, etc. needs right here on Fulton Street)
I am very happy to have Olivino in my neighborhood, but I do still miss Gnarly Vines. -
Review from William J.
Brooklyn, NY
11/14/2011
Aside from a couple of bottles I cannot find anywhere else, this store is a obviously a waste of space assuming someone else rejuvenates it overall. The owner is inebriated everytime I look at her, while her hipster employees do nothing but ring you up failing to acknowledge your presence. On Friday evenings I got phenomenal recommendations there from a long-haired gentleman who actually knew about wine but now he is gone. I am assuming he realized his skills would be of better use elsewhere, since the same two employees always sitting there only want to do nothing more than converse about trivial bullsh!t. The cattiness is outrageous, especially with the queen wearing glasses who seems rude and snobbish, apparently hating every second of his life. Apparently misery loves company and it is located in this store, which I might add lacks so much potential, including a company van. If the Greene Grape (which has it together) stepped foot in that zone to open up shop the owner and her pug would be begging for change a year later. Go to the Greene Grape or Gnarly Vines if you want good service because you will not get it in this sh!thole. Oh and be wary of that Indian woman wearing the sauri I overheard her yelling at an employee under the influence. I was told she is a hot mess who seems to find entertainment in being sarcastic and brash. Perhaps she should ask the owner for a job since they have a lot in common.
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Review from Ellis S.
Brooklyn, NY
6/19/2011
One of my favorite Friday night places. Get off the train, stroll into the small shop. Wander around the small place a couple of times. Pick an interesting bottle of wine. The whites are always available chilled. Then I pay and no one asks "are you in our database?". No bag for me and I carry my bottle along Fulton like a trophy that I earned for working hard all week.
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Review from kyle w.
Brooklyn, NY
11/26/2007
Olivino is a great addition to a great neighborhood.
The staff is very pleasant and helpful and every recommendation they have ever given me has been spot on. I always enjoy browsing the interesting (and affordable) selection of wines they have and there is often good music playing too :-) -
Review from Maria C.
Seattle, WA
3/2/2010
Super cute, well-stocked neighborhood wine shop. On a recent trip to NY I wandered in to this charming spot for a bottle for a dinner party. Erica was cheerful, fun and had great recommendations! I ended up going back 2 more times during my trip (hey, it was vacation!) I found the price points to be great for the value. I was turned onto some new selections which I haven't been able to find since on the West Coast. Oftentimes boutique wine shops can have such attitude and I found everyone here to be kind and on top of their game w/o the blase "cork-dork" attitude.
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Review from Nicole D.
Brooklyn, NY
1/1/2008
For a neighborhood wine shop -- this was the first in Clinton Hill -- Olivino has a great selection. I've discovered a lot of good, reasonably priced wines here from regions in California and Oregon that I really like. It's also completely unpretentious and warm.
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Review from joe m.
Brooklyn, NY
2/25/2009
I can't believe we have a great wine store in walking distance...my the neighborhood has changed. Reasonable prices, great focussed collection. Been loving it since it opened a couple years ago, but finally joined yelp...and they opened a wine bar too...though I'm too stingy to go too often...but once in a while...
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Review from alissa s.
Brooklyn, NY
1/14/2009
this is a cute little shop. the people that work here are super friendly and pleasant. they had exactly what i wanted (a muscato), however it more expensive than at other places i've been to; and personally, i thought that the quality wasn't that great.
