Gheens providing quality food, wine, and olive oil at Ramo d’Olivo

It’s been a few years since Tom and Laura Gheen traveled through Europe on a bit of a cultural excursion. It was their visit to Italy, where they were introduced to the world of fresh olive oils, that a local business venture began to take shape. Tom, an accountant, and Laura, a school teacher, had often talked about opening a business of their own. After a demographic study and industry research, the active Bentonville couple decided that the time and place was perfect to open Ramo d’Olivo Olive Oil, Vinegar & Wine Bar, at 217 S. Main Street, near the heart of the city. Now, two years later, not only has their establishment become of popular gathering place for locals, often with live music, but they have also added a deli. Ramo d’Olivo provides a rare niche for Northwest Arkansas with a tasting room of up to a dozen varieties of fresh olive oils, balsamics, vinegars, as well as about 50 different wines by the glass. The oils are stored in large stainless steel tanks called “fusti” in Italian. The Gheens bottle it themselves for distribution, and any of the oils can be sampled before purchasing. Ramo d’Olivo also includes a 45x65-foot outdoor garden, with tables and chairs, and live music every Wednesday and Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Along with the vast wine selection, Arkansas craft beer is also served until 10 p.m., Monday-Saturday. Wine Down Wednesday includes live music by Dave Tessier and offers all glasses of wine for $1 off, or $4 off a bottle. The Ramo Deli was added last June, offering patrons the freshest sandwiches, soups and salads for lunch. Open Monday-Saturday from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm, the deli is managed by Kim Muldoon, and offers a specialty sandwich menu or customers can build their own. Ramo d’Olivo has an after-hours bar menu with finger foods and meat and cheese plates. Monday night is Spaghetti & Meatballs Night, with Tontitown pasta and made-fromscratch sauce. It is $9 per bowl, or $12 with a beer and $14 with a glass of house wine. For more information about Ramo d’Olivo, call (479) 715-6053, or visit their website at RamodOlivo.biz.

STEVE ANDREWS / NWA DEMOCRATGAZETTE Tom and Laura Gheen, standing inside their olive oil shop in Bentonville, hope Ramo d’Olivo will provide a fun place for locals to eat, drink and “hang out.”