02/09/09

Best meal in ages

by BKDO

I was looking for a nice local place to take some friends on a Saturday night, casual but a bit off the beaten path menu-wise. This place overdelivered! We got a table immediately, had attentive service, and the food....drooling. Sorry.

The food was excellent. It was so good that after we'd all finished the entrees (which came after multiple tapas), we wanted MORE tapas (b/c everything else was so delicious, not due to small portions or anything). The atmosphere is eclectic, which I appreciate. It didn't really feel like New York, which was a nice change of pace from all the Smith Street staples.

Olea is worth checking out. I'll be back.

• Pros: neighborhood, atmosphere, food, sangria!
• Cons: none

09/28/08

great restaurant...

by SMALLO1

Yippee!

What a great restaurant! It is very refreshing to eat food that is different yet meets all the expectations of Turkish cuisine.

The service was terrific: we were under time constraints to get to a show. I had told them at the time of reservation. The waiter was fully aware and guiding us through the meal selection and timing very gracefully. We were on time.

We had the Mediterranean salad (excellent and refreshing, no surprise), the Grilled Sirloin Steak Roasted (that was special), the Rigatoni (i still have the flavor in my mouth), and the lLamb Keftedes Meatballs .

It was only our second time. We definitely need to go more often.

• Pros: fresh food,staff

07/17/08

First time's a charm...

by stanhopesmith

This is my first time writing on here, but I'm impressed so I thought I'd give it a shot. Last night I organized a large birthday dinner for a friend at this joint in my new Brooklyn nabe (landlord recommended). Nobody in my party had been before, but everyone had a great time. The service was friendly and accommodating. Our waitress recommended that we all split tapas and small plates, which worked out great for our group. Three words: bacon wrapped dates. How can you go wrong with those? The kitchen had no problem with a few special requests, which is refreshing in light of the current trend of "no substitutions" and plate sharing fees. It gets hectic in there! The bar was mobbed and there was an acordian player that makes it sound like Paris. Good wine list, and much better pours than the city for sure... though the cocktails were really different also. My friend raved about the special margarita on the list.

• Pros: staff has an anything goes mindset. tapas are great for groups.
• Cons: it gets loud! and crowded.

07/14/08

Simply the worst

by biglarr20

Last Friday night we went to Olea's for dinner, as we did tons of times before. But it wasn't the same, the 30 minute wait for a table, followed by some of the worst food, just wasn't wasn't a good night.

After the 30 minute waiting a table, we placed our order, "Paella for 2." I asked about our order 2 times, it took about 25 minute to come.

Paella was just the worst. The arborio rice wasn't cooked correctly it soupy, not creamy. To add to the nightmare of a meal, there were 2 dead clam in this soupy mess. The cook, or the staff should have notice the 2 dead clam floating in this dish.

Finally, there has been some major changes at Olea and not for the better. We will NEVER eat there again.

• Pros: Cozy
• Cons: The worst Paella on the planet

11/26/07

great food, pleasant servers, tiny portions and long wait for food

by quasiitaliana

I love the atmosphere here: the crowd is nice, the servers are sweet. the food is really fresh and tasty with interesting combos. I just wish the portions weren't so chincy (and i'm not a "pile it high" kind of gal) and that you didnt have to wait such a long time time to get your food.

11/26/07

It used to be a 5-star

by thels

After one birthday celebration, two anniversaries and many trips with guests, my wife and I were quite disappointed on our last trip to Olea. When our salmon appetizer arrived, it was half the size it was before and the sauce was quite different. We asked our server what had changed and we learned that there was a new chef. The main course was all servicably done, but it lacked the real "wow" that Olea used to serve consistently.

I hope that the new chef finds his/her legs and brings the quality of food up to what it was. We'll give it another shot and I hope that I will be able to update this review and bring it back up to 5 stars where it once was.

• Pros: Absolutely charming atmosphere, pleasant waitstaff, always a big crowd (in the fun sense)
• Cons: New chef has altered the menu.

09/26/07

Cozy neighborhood eatery

by gabbyswinegirl

I love the idea of brunch all day during the week. It gives those of us who work the weekend or who loathe the impatient, badly behaved children weilding weekend brunch crowd as much as I do. The staff is always friendly, prompt to seat, greet and take your order, the manager Dan, leading the way. I've never been dissapointed by a single aspect of the food. From the granola and yogurt, to the seafood ravioli, the green eggs and lamb, all wonderfully prepared. The wine list is expertly selected and fairly priced also. If you go to this restaurant and don't order desert, you're doing yourself a sever diservice.

Mediterranean food is pricey anywhere you go and the cost is reasonable here. I can't understand how, especially neighborhood people, can justify paying Manhattan rents in Brooklyn then turning around and complaining about the prices at a restaurant in the same 'hood. What do you think their overhead is like?

Don't miss this place. It's amazing!

• Pros: Food, Service, Ambience, Wine
• Cons: None that I can think of.

07/03/07

really good food

by thevinguy

I've had the breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner menus and I love this place!! Its really good to come hangout with some friends or a date and you'll really enjoy the food, its incredible. I highly recommend this place!

06/19/07

Recomended for Saturday brunch

by steveg56

I live near by and love this place, they have a geat brunch on Saturdsy mornings

and every time I pass there it is full. The service is very warm I am not sure if the owner

is working there all the time but I sure feels like everything has to come out perfect.

• Pros: Great place, food and service
• Cons: a bit pricy

03/25/07

delicious cuisine

by puloinedlily

I have had dinner at Olea several times and brunch. The food has never disappointed. I particularly love the raw bar and have found the orata perfectly cooked, never dry. I went on Morroccan Monday and the tagines are wonderful, very flavorful. They have the best dessert ever, affigado, which is icecream, carmel and expresso. The belly dancer on the first monday of the month makes dining there a special evening. I think the atmosphere is cozy and meditteranean. The service is friendly and efficient. Definately one of the best.