The Olive Pit

Thursday, February 17, 2011

A new restaurant has opened a couple of blocks from where I live. The Olive Pit. Apparently thy have a place in Brea also. Stopped in a couple of weeks ago to check it out and decided to come back with a few "foodies". The first time I was in it was not "full service" . You placed your order at the counter, received a number which you placed on your table and they brought your food to you. Reminded me of Carls Jr.. Ok idea but not the best.

Tonight they had a few serve staff to help take your orders. Like a real restaurant.

We started out with a couple of appetizers. Dolmades and the Three Dip Combo (Humus, Tzatziki and Melitzanosalata) along with pita bread. Dips wre exceptionally good. The Dolmades I wrote about in an earler blog. Good but different than Prevaza's. I had seen the grilled octopus on the blackboard when I walked in then promptly forgot about it. Maybe next time. Grilled octopus is so different from the rubby, chewy kind that you get with sushi.

4 of us had the lamb chops and two had mixed kabobs. Everyone was happy with their selections and the prices are reasonable. They did not charge us corkage so with tax and tip dinner came out to $25 a person.

We did have a good assortment of wines. the 2006 McKeon-Phillips Cabernet Franc was very good. We also had a Procesco which the bottle was real interesting. Didn't write the name down but it looked like a "Greek" painting instead of Italian I brought a 2005 Kosta Browne Amber Ridge Syrah whuch was showing well. A 2001 Stolpman Syrah, Arbor Brook Pinot Gris, 2004 Halter Ranch Ancestry, Ken Brown Clos Pepe Pinot Noir and a Alma Rose Chardonnay rounded out the evening.

We had Akis, the manager try our wines. He was feeling "good" when he left our table.

The Olive Pit is convenient to stop into on my way home from work. That I plan on doing on a regular basis. And we will be back with our wine to try new dishes.