Good Things Come In Small Packages!

Good Things Come In Small Packages!

After re-connecting with a co-worker from years ago, we decided to get together for lunch. He suggested a restaurant in a building that his son had redeveloped in the Historical Botanical Heights area of South St. Louis.

The restaurant Olio is in an old Standard Oil gas station at 1624 Tower Grove Ave. It sits next to its sister, fine dining, restaurant EliA. These restaurants, along with La Patisserie Chouquette just across the street, were founded by Internationally known Chef Ben Paremba. This was my first clue that this would be a wonderful experience.

On a side note, this keeps getting better, Executive Chef for both restaurants, Araron Martinez, was recently a finalist in America's search for a Chef to represent the United States in the Culinary World Olympics in Lyon, France. (he came in second).

Chef Paremba describes the fare at Olio as “Middle-terranean”, a nod to his Middle Eastern, Israeli heritage along with items and flavors from southern Europe and north Africa.

I agree with Chef Paremba's feelings that food is a celebration of life, family and friends. To that end, every item on the menu is hand crafted including home made breads.

While at Olio I felt I was sitting in a friends kitchen and kept waiting for his mother to come around the corner with something delicious! There is nothing pretentious about olio. It's simply a place to gather for an amazing dining experience.

When I read the menu I wanted to try everything I saw. There are many items that I have only seen during our two visits to Israel and can't wait to return to try them all.

My friend ordered the Famous Egg Salad, which is a recipe from Chef Paremba's Grand mother. I ordered the “King of Kings” Hummas with tahini, smoked paparika and parsley. There is also Taim Hummas with marinated local mushrooms, almonds and harissa. The “Deluxe” Hummas which includes braised lamb shoulder,almonds, pine nuts and harissa.

My Hummas was nothing like the paste you get at the grocery store. It was exactly like the hummas I fell in love with in Israel, buttery smooth, drizzled with olive oil and garnished with fresh herbs and spices. It was perfection! Along with a fresh baked flat bread, it was a meal unto itself.

I also tried the soup-of-the-day, a perfectly spiced bowl of eggplant, sweet potato, fresh herbs and sour cream. WOW! It was incredible.

Our choices came from the MEZZE section of the menu. MEZZA is defined as small, savory dishes served as appetizers or accompaniments to alcoholic drinks in Greek or Middle Eastern cuisine. While defined as small, these dishes were more than enough to be a very filling lunch.

A hot green tea was the perfect accompaniment for both of us.

The menu also includes small plates and large plates all with their Middle-Terranian selection of tantalizing items.

Olio also has a full bar service and a “Spritz Hour” from 3 to 6pm with hand-crafted drinks featuring club soda, sparkling wine and citrus wedges.

There is a large number of hand crafted, true cocktails featuring an impressive list of vermouths, aperitifs, amari an anissettes. Beers include at least 25 local, regional and national craft beers.

The wine list is more than adequate with wines from America, Argentina, France, Germany Italy, New Zealand, Romania, Austria and Spain. All wines are sold by the glass, and the bottle, and are reasonably priced.

Try to save room for a Macaron at La Patisserie Chouquette across the street. They a true piece of Paris!

I am anxious to try EliA's offerings but I think it may be a while as it will take some time to try everything at Olio.

Olio is located at 1626 Tower Grove Ave., you will easily recognize it as an old gas station, They are open Tuesday – Friday, 9am -2pm and Saturday, 9am – 5pm. Phone 314-932-7935.