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The Olive Grove, Heswall
by Tony Ellis, Daily Post
The Olive Grove lies a hundred yards or so down Telegraph Road from Heswall's fast-growing restaurant quarter, set back in two of a terrace of sandstone cottages which must be among the oldest buildings in town.
The doors and windows are olive green and a vine grows across one side of the property. Potted bay trees line the path across the lawn to the front door and add a suitably Mediterranean touch.
Inside, the cottage-sized restaurant there is a bar at one end of the ground floor, a fireplace in the centre and beyond that high tables and stools from where to sip your aperitif and choose from the menu.
The decoration is light and airy, making the most of the charm of the cottages which was a deciding factor for co-owners Andy Vaghenas and Panos Tiligadis as they searched for the right building in which to open their new business.
They have both been in the catering trade all their lives. Andy is half Greek on his Liverpool mother's side and lived in Greece until he was seven. With three Greek chefs to call on, this is as near an authentic Greek eating out experience you're likely to get this side of Athens.
It was a beautiful, sunny evening the night my wife and I arrived. Windows at The Olive Grove had been thrown open and a gentle breeze wafted laughter and conversation across the lawn as we made our way to the front door.
We sank a martini and lemonade and gin and tonic as we chose from a menu that mixes the familiar with the tongue-twistingly exotic. How many diners dare ask for melitzanes konstantinopoleous? (That's aubergines stuffed with a blend of tomatoes, onions, garlic and herbs at £8.95, since you ask.)
The restaurant is up a staircase which adds to the splendid effect that you're in someone's house rather than visiting a restaurant. The two dining rooms, seating 37 in all, are intimate without being cramped.
The starters come either hot or cold and it was hard to choose from the extensive menu, so we settled for mezethakia for two at £6.95 each.
This is a selection from the starters which included dips such as tzatziki (Greek yoghurt, cucumber and garlic), houmos (crushed chickpeas blended with garlic, lemon and paprika) and tirokafteri (mixed cheese and chilli peppers - very hot!). There were also dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice and spices) and keftethakia (meatballs in spicy tomato sauce).
This is how eating out should be - relaxed with good food complementing easy conversation.
We wondered if we had ordered too much when our main courses arrived.
My wife's moussaka was enormous and dreamily delicious, so unlike the indigestibly heavy ones we're used to from the supermarket.
I chose amaki me fasolia, the tenderest lamb imaginable casseroled with green beans in a tomato and herb sauce served in a deep earthenware bowl.
Main courses are served with vegetables; a fact we had overlooked as the waiter delivered our Greek salad. The table positively groaned.
Somehow, however, and for the benefit of you, dear reader, we managed to polish most of it off. It is testament to the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the kitchen that this was not difficult. We left happily sated and at £9.95 for each main course, it was good value too.
Our Xerolithia wine from Crete was £9.50 (yes, the Greeks make good wine too) and we finished with coffee. Desserts are available for those who have room left.
The Olive Grove does fine dining with sophistication in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You may not know your taramosalata from your tzatziki but no one will look down their nose at you here.
As we prepared to pay our bill (£53.30 plus £5 tip), another couple was leaving.
"The best Greek food I've tasted outside Greece," said one.
Enough said - and not a smashed plate in sight.
The Olive Grove, 104-106 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral. Tel: 0151-342 9100.
Food: Authentic. Forget supermarket ready-meals, this is what Greeks eat at home.
Service: Unobtrusive but always helpful.
Surroundings: Calm and airy.
Also outside paved area with tables and chairs,
Smoking: Only in the bar.
Disabled access: Stairs to restaurant but a table could be laid in the bar (or even on the lawn for that al fresco touch).
Opening: Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm until late. - Now open Sundays - Open all Bank Holidays
The Olive Grove, Heswall
By Jane Woodhead, Liverpool Echo
THIS is the time of year when I start to think about holidays, dreaming of days lounging on a sun-drenched beach in the Med.
For the last, well, I can't remember how long, I have always gone to one of the Spanish islands. I can speak a little Spanish and holidaying over there gives me the chance to test myself on how useful studying the language to A-level standard has proved to be.
But this year I am determined to try somewhere new.
The husband wants to sample a little Italian culture and I was happy to go along with this.
At least I was, until a night out in Heswall recently.
Strange, I know, but I have discovered a real Mediterranean gem right in the heart of Wirral: The Olive Grove Greek Taverna and Meze Bar on Telegraph Road. The Olive Grove give you the feeling that you are in sunnier climes. It has a warm atmosphere and typically friendly Mediterranean welcome as soon as you walk through the door.
This is accompanied by authentic Greek decoration and great food from three Greek chefs. Much of the produce is either bought locally or imported directly from Greece.
:
The Grade II Listed building was originally a cottage. It became a French restaurant around 15 years ago and was later a Mexican and Italian before being taken over by its present owners, Panos and Andreas, in February last year.
The duo spent four months renovating the premises before its opening last June.
We started the evening relaxing with a couple of drinks in the bar area where we were able to look over the extensive menu. Our smiley, efficient hostess Sophie then showed us upstairs to the restaurant.
It is 'no smoking' in the restaurant - probably because the the dining room is all wooden floors - but the smokers among us were welcome to light up in the downstairs bar area.
With a choice of 14 hot and seven cold starters, together with a soup of the day, it was difficult to know what to go for.
I EVENTUALLY decided on the lahanopita (£4.50) - or, for those of us who do not speak Greek (so that's all of us then!) - seasonal greens and feta cheese wrapped in a filo pastry. It was delicious.
My husband chose the keftethakia (£4.95) - meatballs in a rich tomato and herb sauce - and he was equally impressed. Our starters also came with a selection of warm pitta bread.
There is something to suit all tastes at the Olive Grove, including a wide range of vegetarian dishes and six fish dishes. And if you arrive feeling particularly hungry and just can't wait to start, there is a variety of side dishes and a selection of home-made breads to choose from.
For the main course we had 18 dishes to choose from. I went for the keftedes kapama (£9.95) - meatballs in a rich sauce made to a traditional Greek recipe. This was finely presented, served with rice and a selection of vegetables and home-made olive bread. Needless to say, it was all delicious.
My husband chose the youvetsi (£12.95) - sauteed chunks of lamb cooked with kritharaki pasta and herbs. This was served in a traditional earthenware pot and far exceeded his expectations with its distinctive flavour.
We were feeling rather full by this stage but with both of us having a sweet tooth - and there being seven desserts and six different coffees to choose from - we couldn't resist the temptation.
We decided to share a baklavas (£3.95): crushed nuts served between filo pastry with a sweet cinnamon and honey sauce. My husband also had a traditional Greek coffee (£1.50).
We left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied. We could not have wished for better food, better service nor a better atmosphere.
Now I know where I want to go for my next holiday: Greece of course! It is just a question of saving enough money and persuading the husband it is a good idea, too. But at least I know that if he cannot be talked into it, I have got the next best thing at the bottom of our road.
VENUE: The Olive Grove Greek Taverna and Meze Bar.
ADDRESS: 104 - 106 Telegraph Road, Heswall, CH60 OAQ
Tel: 0151 342 9100
OPENING TIMES: Monday-Saturday, 5.30pm until midnight. Closed Sundays.
DISABLED ACCESS: Ramp access. Tables downstairs for the disabled. Toilets up a flight of stairs.
ATMOSPHERE: Relaxing and typically Mediterranean
THE BILL: Two starters, £9.45; two main courses, £24.90; desserts and coffee, £5.45; bottle of Rioja, £15.95.
TOTAL: £55.75
by Tony Ellis, Daily Post
The Olive Grove lies a hundred yards or so down Telegraph Road from Heswall's fast-growing restaurant quarter, set back in two of a terrace of sandstone cottages which must be among the oldest buildings in town.
The doors and windows are olive green and a vine grows across one side of the property. Potted bay trees line the path across the lawn to the front door and add a suitably Mediterranean touch.
Inside, the cottage-sized restaurant there is a bar at one end of the ground floor, a fireplace in the centre and beyond that high tables and stools from where to sip your aperitif and choose from the menu.
The decoration is light and airy, making the most of the charm of the cottages which was a deciding factor for co-owners Andy Vaghenas and Panos Tiligadis as they searched for the right building in which to open their new business.
They have both been in the catering trade all their lives. Andy is half Greek on his Liverpool mother's side and lived in Greece until he was seven. With three Greek chefs to call on, this is as near an authentic Greek eating out experience you're likely to get this side of Athens.
It was a beautiful, sunny evening the night my wife and I arrived. Windows at The Olive Grove had been thrown open and a gentle breeze wafted laughter and conversation across the lawn as we made our way to the front door.
We sank a martini and lemonade and gin and tonic as we chose from a menu that mixes the familiar with the tongue-twistingly exotic. How many diners dare ask for melitzanes konstantinopoleous? (That's aubergines stuffed with a blend of tomatoes, onions, garlic and herbs at £8.95, since you ask.)
The restaurant is up a staircase which adds to the splendid effect that you're in someone's house rather than visiting a restaurant. The two dining rooms, seating 37 in all, are intimate without being cramped.
The starters come either hot or cold and it was hard to choose from the extensive menu, so we settled for mezethakia for two at £6.95 each.
This is a selection from the starters which included dips such as tzatziki (Greek yoghurt, cucumber and garlic), houmos (crushed chickpeas blended with garlic, lemon and paprika) and tirokafteri (mixed cheese and chilli peppers - very hot!). There were also dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice and spices) and keftethakia (meatballs in spicy tomato sauce).
This is how eating out should be - relaxed with good food complementing easy conversation.
We wondered if we had ordered too much when our main courses arrived.
My wife's moussaka was enormous and dreamily delicious, so unlike the indigestibly heavy ones we're used to from the supermarket.
I chose amaki me fasolia, the tenderest lamb imaginable casseroled with green beans in a tomato and herb sauce served in a deep earthenware bowl.
Main courses are served with vegetables; a fact we had overlooked as the waiter delivered our Greek salad. The table positively groaned.
Somehow, however, and for the benefit of you, dear reader, we managed to polish most of it off. It is testament to the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the kitchen that this was not difficult. We left happily sated and at £9.95 for each main course, it was good value too.
Our Xerolithia wine from Crete was £9.50 (yes, the Greeks make good wine too) and we finished with coffee. Desserts are available for those who have room left.
The Olive Grove does fine dining with sophistication in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You may not know your taramosalata from your tzatziki but no one will look down their nose at you here.
As we prepared to pay our bill (£53.30 plus £5 tip), another couple was leaving.
"The best Greek food I've tasted outside Greece," said one.
Enough said - and not a smashed plate in sight.
The Olive Grove, 104-106 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral. Tel: 0151-342 9100.
Food: Authentic. Forget supermarket ready-meals, this is what Greeks eat at home.
Service: Unobtrusive but always helpful.
Surroundings: Calm and airy.
Also outside paved area with tables and chairs,
Smoking: Only in the bar.
Disabled access: Stairs to restaurant but a table could be laid in the bar (or even on the lawn for that al fresco touch).
Opening: Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm until late. - Now open Sundays - Open all Bank Holidays
The Olive Grove, Heswall
By Jane Woodhead, Liverpool Echo
THIS is the time of year when I start to think about holidays, dreaming of days lounging on a sun-drenched beach in the Med.
For the last, well, I can't remember how long, I have always gone to one of the Spanish islands. I can speak a little Spanish and holidaying over there gives me the chance to test myself on how useful studying the language to A-level standard has proved to be.
But this year I am determined to try somewhere new.
The husband wants to sample a little Italian culture and I was happy to go along with this.
At least I was, until a night out in Heswall recently.
Strange, I know, but I have discovered a real Mediterranean gem right in the heart of Wirral: The Olive Grove Greek Taverna and Meze Bar on Telegraph Road. The Olive Grove give you the feeling that you are in sunnier climes. It has a warm atmosphere and typically friendly Mediterranean welcome as soon as you walk through the door.
This is accompanied by authentic Greek decoration and great food from three Greek chefs. Much of the produce is either bought locally or imported directly from Greece.
:
The Grade II Listed building was originally a cottage. It became a French restaurant around 15 years ago and was later a Mexican and Italian before being taken over by its present owners, Panos and Andreas, in February last year.
The duo spent four months renovating the premises before its opening last June.
We started the evening relaxing with a couple of drinks in the bar area where we were able to look over the extensive menu. Our smiley, efficient hostess Sophie then showed us upstairs to the restaurant.
It is 'no smoking' in the restaurant - probably because the the dining room is all wooden floors - but the smokers among us were welcome to light up in the downstairs bar area.
With a choice of 14 hot and seven cold starters, together with a soup of the day, it was difficult to know what to go for.
I EVENTUALLY decided on the lahanopita (£4.50) - or, for those of us who do not speak Greek (so that's all of us then!) - seasonal greens and feta cheese wrapped in a filo pastry. It was delicious.
My husband chose the keftethakia (£4.95) - meatballs in a rich tomato and herb sauce - and he was equally impressed. Our starters also came with a selection of warm pitta bread.
There is something to suit all tastes at the Olive Grove, including a wide range of vegetarian dishes and six fish dishes. And if you arrive feeling particularly hungry and just can't wait to start, there is a variety of side dishes and a selection of home-made breads to choose from.
For the main course we had 18 dishes to choose from. I went for the keftedes kapama (£9.95) - meatballs in a rich sauce made to a traditional Greek recipe. This was finely presented, served with rice and a selection of vegetables and home-made olive bread. Needless to say, it was all delicious.
My husband chose the youvetsi (£12.95) - sauteed chunks of lamb cooked with kritharaki pasta and herbs. This was served in a traditional earthenware pot and far exceeded his expectations with its distinctive flavour.
We were feeling rather full by this stage but with both of us having a sweet tooth - and there being seven desserts and six different coffees to choose from - we couldn't resist the temptation.
We decided to share a baklavas (£3.95): crushed nuts served between filo pastry with a sweet cinnamon and honey sauce. My husband also had a traditional Greek coffee (£1.50).
We left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied. We could not have wished for better food, better service nor a better atmosphere.
Now I know where I want to go for my next holiday: Greece of course! It is just a question of saving enough money and persuading the husband it is a good idea, too. But at least I know that if he cannot be talked into it, I have got the next best thing at the bottom of our road.
VENUE: The Olive Grove Greek Taverna and Meze Bar.
ADDRESS: 104 - 106 Telegraph Road, Heswall, CH60 OAQ
Tel: 0151 342 9100
OPENING TIMES: Monday-Saturday, 5.30pm until midnight. Closed Sundays.
DISABLED ACCESS: Ramp access. Tables downstairs for the disabled. Toilets up a flight of stairs.
ATMOSPHERE: Relaxing and typically Mediterranean
THE BILL: Two starters, £9.45; two main courses, £24.90; desserts and coffee, £5.45; bottle of Rioja, £15.95.
TOTAL: £55.75