Revisits To Olive Bistro (Vinings) and Tomo
By Tom Maicon at November 5, 2009 | 4:46 pm | Print
After two falsely advertised (on their website) opening dates for The Burger Club (4300 Paces Ferry Rd., Vinings), we hit up nearby Olive Bistro (3230 Cobb Parkway, Vinings 770.272.8900) one day and Tomo (3256 Cobb Pkwy, Vinings 770.690.0555) for sushi the next. The food at both these small eateries was every bit as good, if not better than I remember.
I’ll start with Olive Bistro, sister restaurant to the popular Midtown location in the same strip center with Whole Foods. It scares me when perfectly good independent restaurants decide to expand, because the food usually suffers as a result. That doesn’t appear to be the case here. The hummus is equally creamy and fresh, and the falafel is as satisfying as ever.
Every great little eatery has one dish that sets it apart from others, a dish that validates the restaurant’s reputation and ego. At Olive Bistro that dish is a plate of buttery Tuscan beans marinating in a bath of lemon, herbs, garlic and olive oil, topped with sundried tomatoes. So brilliant in its simplicity, and inspiringly sharp, clean flavors.
My only complaint is with the pita bread. It’s a little too fluffy and chewy.
I was happy when I first learned Olive Bistro was going to open a second location in Vinings, which is more convenient to my house. After this impressive meal, the folks at Olive Bistro can expect to see my face more regularly.
After being assured that The Burger Club would definitely open the next day for lunch, we headed that way again only to find it closed, again. Oy.
Our frustrations quickly fizzled with a killer meal at nearby, under-hyped Tomo. Fish quality here is top-notch, as good as you’ll find in our city, yet I don’t hear Tomo receiving the love he deserves.
Chirashi for me and sashimi salad for Mel yielded tremendous bang for my hard-earned buck. I’m particular fond of the miso soup, served in a chic egg-shaped mug.
Tomo remains among my top three sushi destinations in town.
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