Easy to say “I Love” Olive’s
It’s a good thing that Christmas time is almost here. Now, all you romantics have somewhere new to wine and dine your special someone. As part of the reputable Gourmet to Go business family, Olive’s Restaurant & Bar — located in the heart of Gaslight Village — offers food seekers a great atmosphere with moderately priced-quality food.
Taking advantage of a $10 coupon from restaurant.com, a friend and I visited Olive’s during primetime, 5:30 on a Wednesday evening. Although we weren’t in a hurry, it was a delight to see that there were only several tables occupied; while only several patrons were seated at the bar.
Upon seating ourselves, we were promptly greeted with a waitress who informed us about the wine selection as well as the Soup of the Day. Because my guest and I were heading to a business meeting afterward, we declined the $15 bottled wine.
As I began to peruse the menu, the distinct Olive’s ambiance made me feel like I was in for a treat. Although the plain exterior gives the impression of your classic 10-3 lunch shop, it is easy to tell the the interior design was well thought out. Glasses of wine, a well-tended bar and perfectly stylized chairs, tables and menu, make you feel included in a very professional and local establishment.
The menu included several sections: starters, soups and salads, entrees, sandwiches and “little olives”; the kids menu where all orders comes with fresh fruit and potato chips. Although I assume not a lot of kids eat at Olives, booster seats and high chairs were readily available.
At first glance of the menu, nothing had immediately struck my appetite. But I figured at a place called Olive’s, the olive burger was worth trying. I went ahead and ordered the 1/2 lb. burger for $9. All sandwiches come with a pickle and chips (substitutable for homemade fries). So I chose the fries with a water.
My friend also decided on a sandwich. Seeing how we were both on tight budgets, ordering the sirloin or stuffed chicken (both over 15 dollars) was out of the question. He ordered the turkey panini which came with cranberry compote, and arugula dijon on ciabatta bread. He also bought a Coke on the side which came with complimentary refills.
After placing our order, we figured it wouldn’t be too long before our food arrived. With the noticeable amount of open tables around us and the bar now beginning to thin out, we hoped one of the several waitresses working would bring us our food within the next ten minutes. However, it was actually around 20 minutes before our olive burger and panini sandwich were delivered to our table. For the amount of customers that were present and the number of waitresses on staff, I would say that this was the only negative aspect of my visit.
When the food arrived, everything looked as expected. The burger was as anticipated and the amount of fries seemed adequate. My dining partner was also satisfied with the amount of food as well as the aesthetics.
I had requested that the burger be prepared well done, and was pleasantly surprise that it had come that way — as most restaurants rarely get this right. As for the rest of the burger? Amazing. The olive sauce — a combination of chopped olives and mayonnaise — was just right. Added with lettuce, tomato and melted Swiss cheese on a kaiser bun, I must say Olive’s Olive Burger puts up a good fight against anyone other restaurant.
As for my friend, he was a little disappointed with his turkey panini. “The turkey was delicious and surprisingly went very well with the cranberry compote, but the bread seemed to be a little below quality. For the price I would’ve liked to see a little more.”
Olive’s definitely left a positive impression on me. Its location, relaxed atmosphere and quality food are all attractive features. There is also upstairs seating, private dining rooms, and a three-season deck located above the first floor. A definite plus. Despite this, we still had to wait about 20 minutes when the restaurant was clearly not busy.
Olive's Restaurant & Bar ( Rating:
out of 5 )Where: 2162 Wealthy Street SE
Hours: Mon.-Thur. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m to 11 p.m.
Ambiance: Working professional 21+
How much will it cost you: Sandwiches are between $8 and $12, while entrees cost between $15 and $20.
Credit cards: All major
Alcohol: Yes
Reservations: No
Contact: (616) 451-8611
Online: http://www.eatatolives.com
