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Olive & Grill
Master Critic Reviews (2 Lists)
Olive & Grill
8.3
Modern Mediterranean restaurant featuring an enchanting outdoor terrace beneath olive trees with live music and belly dancing creating a romantic atmosphere. The Lebanese-influenced menu emphasizes shareable mezze plates and grilled kebabs, with hookah service adding to the authentic Middle Eastern experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Chops, Chicken Kebab, Fattoush Salad
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Romantic olive tree terrace with live entertainment and authentic Lebanese cuisine
Who should go: Date nights, celebrations, Mediterranean food enthusiasts
When to visit: Weeknight dinners for quieter ambiance, weekends for energy
What to order: Lamb chops, fattoush, and any grilled kebab with hummus
Insider tip: Request outdoor seating under the olive trees for best atmosphere
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet available $10-12, street parking moderate difficulty on Ventura Blvd after 7pm
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy - date night worthy without being stuffy, jeans okay if paired with nice top
Noise level: Moderate indoors, louder outdoors during live music - plan for festive energy not quiet intimacy
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation, especially for patio - book ahead strongly recommended
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, walk-ins usually accommodated within 10-15 min
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - extensive mezze selection including baba ghanoush, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, grilled vegetables
Vegan options: Good options - most mezze can be made vegan, grilled vegetable plates available, skip the dairy-heavy items
Gluten-free options: Moderate - grilled meats and many mezze work, but pita is central to the experience, ask about rice options
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, but depends on your style - the outdoor terrace with olive trees is genuinely romantic, but live music and belly dancing create energetic vibes not quiet conversation. Perfect if you want memorable atmosphere over deep talk. Request outdoor seating early in evening before entertainment starts for best of both worlds.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunch yes, weekday dinner maybe, weekend dinner unlikely. The outdoor patio books solid on weekends. If you walk in, you'll likely get indoor seating faster than patio. Bar seating available first-come with full menu.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with kids 8+ who can appreciate the experience - the entertainment and shareable plates work well. Not ideal for toddlers or kids needing quick service. Earlier dinner times (5-6pm) before crowd peaks are most family-appropriate.
How does the hookah service work? Available at outdoor tables only, $25-35 per hookah with multiple flavor options. Server will set up and maintain it. Note it adds significant atmosphere but does create smoke even outdoors - request non-hookah section if preferred.
What's the right amount to order for two people? Plan 3-4 mezze plates plus 1-2 main kebabs to share. The portions are generous and Middle Eastern dining is meant for sharing. Start conservative - you can always add more. Budget $70-90 for two before drinks.
Best For
Better for: Choose Olive & Grill over competitors when you want theatrical dining experience with live entertainment, authentic outdoor Mediterranean atmosphere under actual olive trees, or hosting celebrations where the venue itself creates the energy. The commitment to live music and belly dancing multiple nights weekly is rare in Studio City.
Skip if: You're seeking quiet intimate conversation, prefer modern fusion over traditional Lebanese preparations, want trendy small plates over classic mezze, or need guaranteed fast service. Also skip if your date is sensitive to hookah smoke outdoors or prefers minimalist modern ambiance over festive traditional vibes.
Olive & Grill
7.9
Romantic Lebanese restaurant beneath olive trees with live music and belly dancing on weekends. Charcoal-grilled lamb chops and chicken tawook shine alongside classic mezze spreads. The covered outdoor terrace creates an elevated atmosphere, though prices reflect the full entertainment experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb Chops, Chicken Tawook, Hot Feta
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Olive tree canopy terrace with weekend belly dancers and live guitarists
Who should go: Date night couples, celebration groups, hookah enthusiasts
When to visit: Friday/Saturday 8pm onwards for full entertainment
What to order: Lamb chops, mezze sampler, fattoush salad, hookah selection
Insider tip: Request quieter early dinner seating if entertainment volume is a concern
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Valet parking available ($10-12), street parking on Ventura Blvd is competitive after 6pm. Small lot in rear with ~15 spaces.
Dress code: Smart casual to dressy - skip the gym clothes. Most guests dress up for the ambiance, but nice jeans with a button-down works fine.
Noise level: Moderate to loud on entertainment nights (Fri/Sat 8pm+). Live music and belly dancing make conversation challenging. Weekday dinners are conversational.
Weekend wait: 60-90 min without reservation after 7pm, especially entertainment nights. Reservations strongly recommended.
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait, walk-ins typically seated within 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - extensive mezze selection including hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, and multiple salads
Vegan options: Good options - most mezze dishes are vegan or can be modified. Grilled vegetable platters available. Ask about dairy in preparations.
Gluten-free options: Limited - most dishes use pita bread. Grilled meats and salads work, but cross-contamination possible with shared grills. Not a dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, but timing matters. Book early seating (6-7pm) if you want conversation. The romantic olive tree setting and live music after 8pm create great energy, but it gets loud. Perfect for 2nd or 3rd dates when you're comfortable with less talking.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Weekday lunches and early dinners (before 6pm) usually work for walk-ins. Weekend dinners without reservations mean 60-90 minute waits or being turned away entirely. Bar seating is first-come and turns faster.
Is it kid-friendly? Better for older kids (10+) who can appreciate sitting through a 90-minute dinner. The entertainment appeals to tweens/teens. Not ideal for toddlers - volume gets high, limited kids menu, and the vibe skews adult. No high chairs spotted.
How much should I budget per person? $50-75 per person with drinks and hookah. Mezze platters ($18-28) are shareable, mains run $28-42. Add $15-20 for cocktails or wine, $25-35 for hookah. Groups of 4+ can share family-style for $55-65/person.
Is the hookah lounge separate? No separate lounge - hookah is served throughout the terrace seating area. Non-smokers should request indoor seating or avoid weekend nights when hookah usage peaks. Ventilation is decent but smoke presence is noticeable.
What's the entertainment schedule? Live guitarist typically starts around 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Belly dancing performances run 8:30-10pm with multiple sets. Weeknights are music-free. Call ahead to confirm as schedules can shift for private events.
Best For
Better for: Choose Olive & Grill over typical Mediterranean spots when you want the full entertainment experience - it's a dinner show, not just dinner. The live music and belly dancing create energy that straight restaurants can't match. Also better for groups celebrating something (birthdays, promotions) where the festive vibe adds to the occasion. The outdoor terrace atmosphere under olive trees beats generic strip mall competition.
Skip if: Skip if you're looking for quiet conversation, a quick meal, or authentic homestyle Lebanese cooking. The entertainment premium means you're paying $10-15 more per entree than comparable Mediterranean restaurants. Also skip for business dinners (too loud), early dining with seniors (entertainment starts late), or if hookah smoke bothers you. Choose Carousel or Raffi's Place instead for traditional Armenian-Lebanese without the show.