Posts Tagged ‘Olive Cafe and Grocery’

4 Quick Notes:

August 23, 2010

Kampai Alley: I’ve really enjoyed the sushi here. Fresh, good selection of nigiri and sashimi, with plenty of inventive rolls to draw out the non-purists. The sukiyaki broth boasted little of the salty, sweet and sour flavors that normally mark this Japanese hotpot, however. Still, the interior is one of Columbia’s nicest as well and they now have Anchor Steam on tap as well. A nice addition.

Broadway Brewery: Mmm, the Rooster. This may be my favorite pizza there. Chicken, artichokes, creamy garlic sauce. Very nice. They’re also putting out some great soups, though they’ve yet to repeat any (leek and kale, please?). Bonus points for not dumbing down the kids menu. And for the Blonde Cream, which is refreshing and escapes the problems they’ve had with carbonation in other beers. 

Olive Cafe: My visits have been all over the map. But some folks I trust really like the place, so it could be bad luck and selection. What should I be ordering?

Der Essen Platz: The fried oysters utterly failed to impress, though the grilled sardines were nice. And I still can’t get into German beer. My the parents had great luck with entrees. I need to give them a full visit.

4 Quick Notes

July 16, 2010

Olive Cafe: Good, not great. I like the kofta (both plate and sandwich), which is as subtle and addictive as the excellent hummus. The chicken on the chicken kabob sandwich was tender but oddly flavorless and the pita isn’t as good as the stuff you can get in bags (and freeze!) at World Harvest. The temperature of the restaurant is out of whack half the time. In December people were wearing gloves inside; last night it was 85 degrees at least.

Sycamore Restaurant: Family dinner the other night was a treat. Gnoochi and a side of snap peas were a hit with the kids and my duck two-way (seared breast and confit of leg) was rich and tender (and fantastic left over). Mrs. SMEs’ halibut sounded good on the menu and looked good on the plate but didn’t taste like much of anything. On draft, the St. Gen. IPA is worth a taste; in bottles, try the Founders “Devil Dancer” Triple IPA.

Broadway Brewery: Go check out the new summer menu, which has greatly expanded and become a vegetarian’s wet dream. We ate very well the other day on grilled margherita flatbread, a fantastic kale soup and creamy polenta cakes topped with a stunning, punchy ragout of tomatoes and summer vegetables. Could have passed only on the chorizo and cheese dip. Bravo, Broadway.

Jazz: Um, yuck. How does this place stay in business? My gumbo was okay, but a platter of crawdads was nasty. Unfresh, no spice, just bad, bad, bad. And I don’t think it’d be possible to more comprehensively break a creamy Cajun pasta sauce than they did. Awe-inspiring, really.

4 quick notes

December 9, 2009

Geisha: Not in the running for best sushi in Columbia, but not bad. Salmon was sweet, clean-tasting.

The Olive Cafe: Freezing cold restaurant, koftas were charred and dried out. Veggies got the incineration treatment too. Saffron rice was nice. Others on Yelp had better luck, so I’ll try again.

Das Stein Haus: Some of the best food in Jeff City, but feels like stepping into your crazy aunt’s attic. A bit smoky, too. Schnitzel, kraut, Helmut (owner/waiter) more than make up for it.

Love Sushi: Sushi that’s well above average – and the equal of anything in Columbia. Unagi was swoon-inducing, salmon and tuna excellent as well. Extra small plates – both before and after your meal – leaves a good impression. Strangely lukwarm gyoza a small downside. Otherwise, terrific.

Olive Cafe and Grocery

November 18, 2009

Anyone have an early report on the new occupant of the former Cafe Berlin/Root Cellar/herbal remedy place? It sounds like good people.


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