CLOSED: The Black Olive

The lowest rating the website would let me give them is a 2, but they barely deserved a 1. The dinner and overall experience was a disaster. The owner was running around trying to figure out what was going on and then someone finally showed up to help him around 7pm. They did not have at least 2 items on their menu. We ordered the vegetable lasagna and the owner thought they may be out, so I gave a substitute, but the other party did not, then they never confirmed whether they had it. Our dinner arrive 45 minutes later with something altogether different (they were out of the lasagna and just picked something off the menu). We just took the dishes since we waited so long. The food was cold and tasteless. The only thing good I can say is that they at least gave us dessert for free. They were totally embarrassed and kept apologizing (which they should have been horrified). They stated that they are under new ownership and the new chef will be there next week. I think I will give them at least 6 months to get their act together and re-check the updated reviews. If they do not get their act together, they will be out of business. It is a shame, since there is not too many vegan restaurants in the area.

I really wanted to like this restaurant, but having known that they advertised a raw-food night for months prior to my arrival, and then the following events caused me not to return. They didn't know what "raw" meant. I was served many non-raw items, including tofu and powdered vegetable broth. This wouldn't be a big deal for a restaurant that did NOT advertise a live-food night. I see the live-food night is still on their website. Maybe someone who knows what raw is works there now. The hot-food entrees my fellow diners ordered came sporadically, with some receiving their food 15 min. prior to the next. Some food was cold. The waitress was very nice and we enjoyed her company; however, I would only want her service again if she worked somewhere else.

I had really high expectations before coming to this place and was sadly let down...harshly. I thought, "What could go wrong? Vegan 'soul food'?!" It's sad that as I was sitting through this experience I was considering titles of a review starting at "maybe an off night" to "lack-luster" and finally "total disaster." Normally there is a saving grace in a dining experience, but this night had none.

The service is terribly slow. Even though my friend and I were one of the only two parties there, we waited for everything for an unreasonable amount of time. For water before the meal, to be asked what we would like to drink and the longest waiting for the food to be prepared. I had to ask each time I needed water. Never once were we asked if we were enjoying our meal. I got up to look for the server to ask for something to find her in the front apparently texting...

After waiting for what seemed like forever for our food, it was cold! I ordered two dishes (again, I was excited for the meal) and was able to finish the first one before the second ever reached my table. The BBQ sandwich tasted like pure salt and the coleslaw tasted like dried vegetables with a sweet substance tossed on top. I only finished it because I was so hungry waiting. The second plate, of black-eyed peas, was flavorless. I asked them to take it back and if I would be charged for them, to which the server responded with an unapologetic, abrupt and practically rude "yea." She then proceeded to ask me if I was familiar with black-eyed peas, dismissed concerns and even offered my food to my friend! I would have been fine with paying for it with any reasonable answer, but it was annoying to see the lack of care in her tone and gestures.

Needless to say, I will never return to this restaurant. Best of luck if you venture to this place..

My partner and I have had brunch at the Black Olive a number of times now and the food and service have always been great. If they would only start serving coffee. Their dinner menu is quite good also. The place should have a wider client base than it does. It should be supported.

I really enjoyed both of my dining experiences here. The food is lovely - I highly recommend the "chicken" sandwich and the sesame seasoned kale side dish. The soups have all been excellent so far. I wish it were closer to where I live, but all in all, I will keep going back.

A nice, accommodating staff, great food, and a beautiful atmosphere make a lovely dining experience. The BBQ "chicken" sandwich is good and the cakes (German chocolate and lemon) are out-of-this-world!! The seitan steak is also delicious. Some of the dishes, however, are disproportionally priced, like the "crabcakes". Although they're good, there were only two small cakes and it was $6.

I love this place! The Veggie Chill is the BEST!