Olive Leaf

I have been here a few times. The first time it was okay but the food was ice cold. The second time it was pretty good but only because i complained about my previous experience and the girl behind the counter made sure my food was at least warm. The third time I went it was AWFUL I had to spit my food out because it tasted like someone spilt a full salt shaker in the food. I could taste the texture of the individual salt granules. I told them about the salt and the girl told that yes it was salty today but some people like it salty and she could not give me a refund. I would never go to this place. It is expensive and very small portions on tip of everything.

This is a counter service style restaurant, like a deli. So here’s the thing, it took kind of a while for them to prepare my food and normally I won’t get too upset about that. However, the portions were so incredibly small I could not look past a single thing. I ordered the kufta entrée which came with bread and two sides. For the sides I got rice (it wasn’t bad but it didn’t stand out or anything) and the olive hummus (kind of salty, but that’s expected when you add olives to things). The bread they gave me was dense and smaller than the size of my hand and unfortunately didn’t taste very good. But the worst part was the beef. The flavors were all there and was very tasty, but for the price I should have gotten probably 4 times the amount they gave me. I was really hopeful after reading the other reviews that I would have a good Mediterranean restaurant to go to for lunch. Unfortunately it looks like I’ll have to make the trek down to Mimi’s in Clarksville if I want a satisfactory kabob fix.

I had the kufta entrée and the meat was tender and spices well. Delicious artisan whole wheat bread and a variety of humus as an appetizer. I was pleasantly stuffed and happy enjoying a good meal while sitting on the outdoor terrace. The next time I go I want to try their crepes– saw them being made from scratch as I was leaving. The staff were all very friendly and they deliver your food to your table.

After I had discovered that the once empty space at the Historic Savage Mill was now occupied by a Mediterranean restaurant, Olive Leaf, myself and the hubby — made a beehive over there for lunch today. They tout that everything is homemade and I can confirm that, for I chatted with one of the owners and even witnessed an employee preparing their breads to be baked. What you’re expecting may not be what you receive, because this is a Mediterranean restaurant and not a Greek restaurant.
Someone in Unilocal land, please explain the difference to me, because for the most part — the menu looked like your standard Greek fare, minus the spanakopita, spinach pie, babba ganoush and other menu items I was hoping to find.
The setting for this establishment is bright, airy and attractive and it doesn’t hurt, that Cascade Chocolates is right across the way. The olive hummus and tomato/​eggplant sides were delicious. The sweetness of the baked eggplant worked well with the tomato and the spices used, though unrecognizable, provided an earthy quality to this spread. I loved the zing of the olive hummus, with its added kick to it.
You won’t receive pita here, but instead something a bit more healthy — according to one of the owners. Personally, I’d rather have had soft, puffed pita to use, in scooping up those luscious spreads. Instead, you’ll receive something pita shaped, but reminiscent of a burnt, whole wheat English Muffin, coarse on the top and bottom. My disappointment carried itself into my Kofta, which was stuffed inside this unpleasant tasting disc. Feeling as if a salad was needed to brighten up my meal, at $ 9 or so, their Greek salad lacked Greekness. It was just your basic — shredded romaine, with small squares of tomato, cucumbers & feta — accompanied by a lemony vinaigrette. Come on, it’s a Greek salad, put some Love into for goodness sake! Where were the Greek olives, purple onions & green bell peppers? Normally, I don’t like feta cheese, but when it’s in a Greek salad, I’m anticipating it in being the star of the show. In this weak salad, it fell short. The beverages are over priced and my Moroccan mint tea tasted weird. No mint taste there and sweetened with honey? I don’t think so. $ 2 for a can of soda and $ 4 for a small cup of home-​made lemonade. It’s cheaper to purchase your beverages at the Timonium Fair Grounds.
And the gal that took my order, needs to be a bit more trained on this restaurant’s cuisine. She was border line rude and appeared uneducated on Mediterranean cuisine and the menu items served at her restaurant.

I just finished my lunch there and OMG it was delicious. Everything from lentil soup, variety of hummus and grilled vegetables, everything was marvelous. I recommend this to everyone. And Vegan lovers especially. Great food and great Chef — Younes Mrani –Talbi — so friendly and accomodating!