lellen, Fri, May 29th, 2009
The Black Olive Restaurant’s menu is pretty much Greek. The chef has his or her own interpretations of many of these items that didn’t match my expectations. To be fair, what the heck do I really know about Greek food?
My first real Greek food experience was at the former Poseidon Restaurant in the Regency Tower on James Street. This was an upscale restaurant decorated in all white. If I remember correctly, Sandra Rogers was the interior designer.
The Poseidon’s food was classic, clean and elegant to match its decor. The owner, John Plavoukos, was a terrific host, handsome and gracious - always impeccably dressed and charming.
I’m not sure what happened to it. Sometimes restaurants run their course; sometimes there are personal reasons or financial problems. I will say that there was a timelessness about the Poseidon, so that the very same concept would be relevant in today’s market.
The only other experiences I’ve had were at American-Greek diners, which don’t necessarily turn me on, as these are often centered on very large portions. And also I once ate at a well-known Greek Restaurant in Manhattan that also paled compared to the Poseidon, the name escapes me.
Armory’s Black Olive certainly boasts a complete menu with many Greek dishes and Greek-American fusion. There are a lot of appetizers and smaller dishes that one can order, so you don’t have to go soup to nuts.
When it came to actual taste, there was something about the balance of the ingredients that was a bit odd, but again, I am a bit of a purist, a super taster in the worst sense of that curse, so that flavors are often exaggerated. For all I know this restaurant could be serving classic Greek or more countryside - I just don’t know.
The restaurant’s interior is handsome with terra cotta walls and brown and beige linens. They use white paper for the actual tabletop. There is also an underlying black - it all came together like one of those old vases one studies in art history.
The organization of the seating is well thought out - with lots of nooks, booths, levels and window views. There are a few Greek-esque artifacts, paintings and some green marble - here and there.
I was expecting a bowl of Greek Olives to munch on, but alas this did not appear until much later a vinaigrette with a few olives in it was placed on the table for bread dipping.
The prices seemed very fair. So if you are looking for a food adventure, why not check out The Black Olive for yourself and let me know your take?
Reach me at city@cnylink.com or call 434-8889 ext. 319.
