Magical. Definitely will take my wife here on her next visit…read more
I came on a late summer afternoon. The tables were still set for casual lunch, and four older gentlemen were enjoying a very social card game in the back corner. The only light was from the sun through the windows. Almost felt climate-conditioned, in spite of the 31C heat outside. Frequent breezes from the courtyard, which is shaded by the adjacent Sankt Remigius, and tall trees. A definite bonus on this hot day..
(That courtyard : on Sunday mornings, it courtyard is likely to have a large family at brunch. Could have been a perfect cinematography for a remake of The Godfather! ) Inside, the restaurant smells fresh, no stale food smells - only the resiny smell of the hardwood floor and furniture. As comforting as coming home to one's grandmother's or ancestral home.
Extensive menu. As a hospitality (courtesy of the house) aperitif, a small (2-4 oz) cup of vegetable broth was served; actually, perfect even as hot as the afternoon was. Wanting something light, I ordered a tamarosalata (great; perfectly spiced) and their calamari entree (decent: the breading could have been crisper, or perhaps their fryer needs fresh oil, but the calamari itself was very fresh). The bread side was just a loaf slice, but it was drizzled with excellent olive oil. Genuinely friendly people and service, though I had to ask for my check three times. Modest prices.
Completing the moment... as I was finishing, the Sankt Remigius bells began its ringing for its 18:00h service. The very same one thousand year old church where Beethoven had played, they say.
Lots of charming restaurants in the Rhine area, but the Olive is all its own. Look for it: you'll easily walk past this restaurant's quiet doorway.
(Posted a couple of interior pictures. )