Olives and Meze
Olives & Meze
Turkish 131 Clapham High St, London SW4 7SS £
Olives & Meze has been on Clapham high Street for more than a few years now, however, I have always overlooked it. This could be due to the fact it is hidden next to the big Sainsbury’s, or the fact it is right next to the bus stop I used to use on my way home from the gym (if I was feeling super lazy), or due to its no frills and modest exterior. Dad has decided that Olives & Meze is his new favourite place to eat out, so I decided I should meet him for dinner there and see what all the fuss is about.
Much like the exterior of the restaurant, the interior is modest and honest: comfortable but not flashy. This can be said for most things on the menu too: with hearty casseroles, warming kofte and simple shish making up the menu. There are also a few meat and fish dishes: with Dad recommending the sea bass in particular. Kofte, falafel and the like are served with bulgur and a seasonal salad, whilst the meat and fish are served with potatoes and roasted vegetables. I went for the Falafel and Hummus (£9.95), whilst Dad opted for a change with the Lamb Cutlets (£16.50).
Whilst the prices may not at first seem overly cheap, they were for the sheer portions and quality of the food. The Lamb came with four perfectly cooked cutlets, which were tender and tasted just the right amount of smoky. The falafel were perfectly crisp on the outside, with a soft and flavoursome filling, and were placed on a bed of smooth and rich hummus. I wasn’t hungry when I arrived, but it is safe to say I cleaned up my plate and one of Dad’s cutlets in record time, due to the sheer deliciousness. The restaurant serves a long list of wine, as well as beer and cocktails ranging from £4.45 - £7.50 (with a 5-7pm happy hour) to accompany your meal.
The service was friendly and well-paced, when we weren’t quite ready to order on first try, we were left alone until we summoned the waiter over again. When I arrived at 18:30 on a Friday night, only two other tables were taken, however, by the time we left at 20:30 the whole restaurant was full! The bill came to just over £45 – a decent amount for two mains, two beers, a sicilian lemonade and a desert. If that sounds like too much then there is a set lunch menu Monday-Friday with some great options, for £10.95 for two courses. The food and service here are simple, honest and undeniably good.
OVERALL RATING: ****
https://www.olivesandmeze.co.uk/
