May 13 2008
Lunch at Olive Vine Cafe
Though both my dining companion and I felt a bit like we were cheating on Zaytoons, we had a lovely time at the new Olive Vine Cafe on Court Street near Degraw for lunch today. Perhaps the nicest surprise is the backyard. While the plastic tables and chairs are not creating any amazing ambiance, and a few more umbrellas need to be added, any backyard eating addition is a good one in my book.
As for the food, above is my assorted salad plate ($8) with hummus, babaganoush, labneh, chickpea and spinach salad and tabouleh. My friend got the same plate but with the substition of beets, lentil salad and stuffed grape leaves. I think we sampled every salad on the menu. Top marks go to the chickpea salad for the mix of sweet tomatoes and onions. I could have eaten a whole plate. Low marks go to the hummus, which while smooth and creamy was missing a certain bright tang that I like. All was accompanied by fresh pita bread, served hot and puffed up, a nice touch.
Also on the menu: pita pizzas, falafels, kebabs, etc. And, like Zaytoons, it’s BYOB.
2 Responses to “Lunch at Olive Vine Cafe”
I pass your place on 7th Ave. quite frequently and each time I do, I want to go inside and tell the manager: “Don’t you know olives don’t grow on vines??? Don’t you want to sound authentic? Olives grow on trees.
Anyway, the food sounds great and the atmosphere as well and I don’t mean to be a party-pooper; I’m just a stickler for accuracy. Anyone care to comment?
I always enjoy discovering new restaurants. Someone left this Café’s business card in my building in Brooklyn, so my friends and I decided to try it out last weekend. Food was good, but does not compare to the restaurants we have a few blocks from Flatbush Gardens, where I live. The neighborhood is a hotbed for smaller and very authentic falafel and chicken kebab restaurants.