Olio Italian

Olio Italian needed a brand that matched its hand-made pasta and curated wine program: upscale and modern, without losing the warmth of a neighborhood trattoria.

I partnered with ownership before the restaurant was funded, helping shape the concept and name, then stayed on through build-out to lead the identity end to end: logo, environmental, menus, and merchandise.

Ownership wanted to lean into the Olio name, so olive tree leaves became part of the brand language. I moved away from common trattoria tropes toward a look that blends contemporary minimalism with classic Italian charm, so the visual story matched the dining experience.

Every physical element, from menus to merchandise, was treated as an extension of the interior space, so guest touchpoints felt like one aesthetic.

The brand came to life across the Cincinnati restaurant, and contributed to strong critical reception. Menus through environmental signage communicated the same care guests felt at the table.