The Olive Tree

I went to Olive Tree twice over the weekend simply because the first time i went on saturday the food was excellent. Like the last review, i had a burger and my friend had the goats cheese and avocado salad which was very tasty. For quick service, tasty food and nice settings for breakfast, lunch or dinner then try the olive tree.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Popped in for lunch on Saturday as my friend lives just down the road and was really impressed.

I ordered the goats cheese and avocado salad which was really good - it was in the most beautiful honey dressing and was the perfect size. My friend had the burger, which again was really good, obviously home-made and very tasty.

The waiter that served us was very friendly and I really liked the decor of the place. Only problem was that the place was completely empty apart from us - a real shame as this place is definitely worth a visit.
Comment on this reader review

yasmin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 21, 2008

My wife and I ate here before a gig last night and enjoyed our meal. Service wasn't too polished, but it was efficient. Love the decor.

We started with a couple martinis, both of which were made well. We shared a plate of charcuterie as an entree which included a couple more interesting choices, such as goose speck (delicious, by the way). She had the ribeye for main, accompanied by excellent chips. The steak was cooked a perfect rare, and I am told the meat was a good cut. I had the fishcakes on a bed of wilted spinach. The greens were as good as the chips. I very much enjoyed the fact that the fishcakes actually tasted like smoked haddock rather than the all-too-common potato flavour with a hint of sea. They were also very crispy on the outside, which I love. I wish they were more liberal with the hollandaise because I just don't see the point of just a little of the glorious sauce, but the sauce it self was a good example.

We'll be back next time we're in the area.
Comment on this reader review

Dan - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, April 11, 2008

As a very regular diner (and drinker) at the Olive Tree I am surprised by some of the more critical reviews that I have read on this website. In my view, which is clearly subjective (but we do eat out all of the time for both business and pleasure), the Olive Tree presses all the right buttons. The space is great; modern without being stark, with good design but without being too achingly trendy in a way that will date in no time.

The staff have always been delightful and welcome us like old friends (OK, we do eat there very regularly). The waiting staff are all attentive without being too obtrusive, they do not change often which is a good sign.

The food is generally excellent, the menus well thought out and cater for both the omnivorous as well as the vegetarian (my partner is mostly vegetarian). It changes regularly and there is always a comfort main for a quick and easy meal if you don't want the full works for a midweek supper or a light lunch. It works for us both as a local gastropup and a more formal dining venue. In addition we have used the private room upstairs which is great, a fun space with its own bar, check out the ceiling.

The area has been crying out for good quality restaurants/gastropups so we do not have to head into Notting Hill or Chiswick for a decent meal, in my view the Olive Tree hits the spot. I am aware there has been a small amount of local objection to the Olive Tree, but if you buy or rent near a pub you must expect some noise, and the crowd at the Olive Tree has always been very civilised when I have been there.
Comment on this reader review

Charles
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, September 05, 2007

We went to the Olive Tree a couple of days ago - with our 2 small kids. As a family of four, we know we're not a very convenient unit - so we are easy to please. But I was amazed by the shortcomings in our breakfast. Eggs Benedict? The eggs were cold and underdone (and had to be sent back). My wife ordered full English - it came to the table almost cold. It was amazing to us because there was no one else in the place and it should have been really easy to give us a good experience. Is the food being brought from a different planet?
Comment on this reader review

jg
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Monday, June 25, 2007

Some quite mixed reviews on this site.

I have to say that I have been to the Olive Tree quite a few times since it opened for just drinks and also for dinner and it has always been great.

The food is always nice and the staff smiley and polite.
Comment on this reader review

Jake Jones
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 07, 2007

These reviews make interesting reading. I live round the corner from the Olive Tree and was looking forward to it opening. I went there to eat a couple of times in the first few months that the place was open as i wanted to support the place in the face of some local displeasure at it opening.

The wine list is poor and massively overpriced. £14 a bottle for a cheap, young Rioja you'd pay less than a fiver for in the shops. In addition, they must have stored the wine next to the heating pipe as it was served at a lukewarm temperature. The service wasn't that hot either, to be honest.

I thought the food was OK but just that. Had the mains been priced at around the £10 mark you would probably say that the food was good but the mains are not £15 a dish standard. All in all it is an overpriced restaurant where the money seems to have gone in to decor at the expense of the food & wine presentation & service.

I have a drink there from time to time but just can't bear to risk another disappointing £40 a head meal, given the wide range of excellent restaurants a walk away.
Comment on this reader review

P
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, May 02, 2007

I have been here countless times and have always had good food. In my opinion this is one of the best places to eat in the area.
Comment on this reader review

Cris Germanos - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, March 10, 2007

I went to the Olive Tree on Saturday night to celebrate my birthday. I've been before so had high hopes - unfortunately we were well and truly let down. I ordered minestrone soup to start (from the specials menu). It looked wonderful when it arrived but after a few mouthfuls I realised I was eating meat - not ideal for a vegetarian. Chorizo was included in the soup - but not on the menu! Our waitress was clearly mortified and frantically changed all the blackboards. However when the bill came they charged us for the starters and the manager was entirely dismissive of the situation. It would be fair to say he was rude. I will not be going back and I would urge anyone to avoid it on special occassions when you need to guarantee good service and polite staff.
View/Add comments (2)

Tracey Jaques
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Monday, November 06, 2006

The Olive Tree offers a different dining experience with its unique interior (you must take a moment to appreciate the bathrooms) to the varied dishes on offer. The staff were friendly and happy to accomodate requests for cocktails not offered on the menu. The dessert menu was innovative offered something for all tastes. I was a little disappointed that the menu shown on their website did not match the menu in the restaurant, but was able to find a tasty alternative to my much anticipated selection.
Comment on this reader review

Emily
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Monday, October 30, 2006