3 Olives is fast becoming one of my favourite restaurants in Sydney. Tucked away on the less busy side of Newtown's King Street, this little gem oozes traditional Greek food in a fun and laid back atmosphere. Since visiting with my uni friends early this year, I have craved the generous helpings, friendly service and generally excellent memories I had walked out the door with. And re-visiting this mecca of Greek food revived these memories, but not without creating some more.
What can I say: everything about this place is excellent. We arrive a little past 7.30 on a Sunday night to find 3 Olives half full. This had been the case on my last visit - and I had worried about the choice of restaurant then - but alas the half-full restaurant was no testament to the quality of the food.
The first thing we notice, apart from the intimate, quiet atmosphere is the decor. 3 Olives is dimly lit, there's sleek tables, a kitchen tucked away in the back right corner and the feature green and brown tiled wall and fancy glass and wooden table out the front. Overall, you would describe the restaurant's vibe as minimalistic, and the service: anything but.
Our waiter greets us with his strong English accent. Throughout the night we would grow quite fond of him, his jokes and genuine kindness. My Sunday night at 3 Olives was to be my first dining experience where I would leave feeling as if I had made some sort of friend in the waitstaff. The service was that good. But not perfect - none of the staff could comprehend how Frangelico, lime cordial and soda water would be served. None of them had heard of the combination and spend quite a while concocting our drinks. However, this doesn't really bother us. Our waiter makes a joke of the situation, so that 3 Olives' only "shortfall" of the night becomes a bit of fun.
Greek is one of my favourite cuisines, so picking a menu item proved extremely difficult. I choose the chicken souvlaki served with pita bread, tzatziki dip, rice (ordered instead of chips) and salad ($18.50), and god my meal is delicious. The seasoning explodes in my mouth with every bite - the oregano and olive oil combo is perfect. I take turns dipping everything - even the rice - in the tzatziki, which is full of the contrasting Greek yoghurt and the rather muted flavour of the the cucumber. The rice is cooked perfectly - something I struggle with myself - and the oily pita bread is to die for. The Greek salad tops the fish off well.
One friend tucks into a classic vegetarian Greek dish - moussaka [baked layers of eggplant, potatoes, salsa, white cheese sauce served w/ Greek salad ($22.50)]. When the plate hit the table, we are astonished by the size and presentation of the meal. The moussaka is enormous, and the crispy cheese topping made us all hungry - funnily enough this is the first dish we receive. The lucky diner does her best to eat the whole thing, but alas, such a task would present a challenge to anyone. That's not to say that my friend doesn't savour each bite.
Another diner orders the quail grilled and drizzled in olive oil, oregano and lemon, served w/ baked potatoes and vegetables ($24.50), and once again, 3 Olives doesn't disappoint. The oregano and oil seasoning - a Greek go-to - hits the mark. The quail is tender and a joy to eat despite the delicacy of the poultry. He leaves half the vegetables untouched, another testament to the sizing of 3 Olives' serving sizes.
We have a wonderful time at 3 Olives and swear to go back again. Next time, however, I might try the Taverna banquet menu or Saganaki prawns, which both seem to get a lot of praise.
3 Olives, 365 King Street, Newtown
Open Wed-Sun from 6pm-10pm
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