WEN’s Newest Foodie Column
The TL Taste
A yummy celebration of this tasty town of ours, one bite at a time. Just think of me (and my occasional co-sleuth) as undercover bandits for fabulous, should-be local hot spots.
I decided to make my first hit on an unsuspecting Thursday in April. It was a cold, gray afternoon and I set out alone for something hot and tasty – a somewhat healthy bite of take-out after a long, busy day.
What I found nestled unassumingly amidst the gritty undertones of touristy Commercial Street was indeed just that – The Olive Cafe, a Lebanese inspired, chef owned and operated, Mediterranean restaurant that boasts an eclectic array of authentic cuisine teeming with fresh, flavorful ingredients in well-known dishes like gyros and shawarma, couscous, flatbread pizzas, and entrees that sail your taste buds right to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Carnivores and vegetarians alike will find more to love than they ever anticipated in this very down-under and diminutive venue, so understated it feels like visiting family for a meal in the dining room.
The Scoop
The Olive Cafe, 127 Commercial St., Portland Maine, Lebanese Mediterranean, Middle Eastern cuisine.
The Vibe
No frills, welcoming and cozy. Seats maybe 20. Dine-in or take-out.
The Taste
Fatoush Shawarma – A delectable combo of cool hummus, fresh veggies, and tahini in a warm and toasty house made pita wrap. Vegan wowser, absolutely delish.
Handcut Fries – Cut shoestring style and seasoned to perfection with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
The Sip
Turkish Coffee – traditionally bold, sweet and intense, just like I like ’em…
The Drop
$20
The Snip
