Thame Out The complimentary magazine for the Thame area
Olive branch
A short trip from Thame to Princes Risborough was to make a long lasting impression on Stuart Dale when he discovered Olive Indian Restaurant.
It would have been the summer of 2019. We were invited to a family function at my sister-in-law’s home in Princes Risborough.
As is often the way, a couple of drinks followed by a takeaway curry was the order of the day.
“A new Indian Restaurant has opened in Duke Street,” my Brother-in-law exclaimed. “It’s really good,” he enthused. He was right, it was.
The restaurant in question was Olive, and we have returned on numerous occasions.
Managed by Saifi, you can expect a really warm welcome and excellent service whether you are dinning in or collecting a takeaway.
But most important of all is the quality of the food. It is excellent.
Olive has been a bit of a life saver throughout the past lockdown. It has been well worth driving over from Thame to collect our food.
However, great news for us and anyone else from Thame, Olive now also deliver to Thame. Delivery is free with a minimum order of £30. If you collect yourself, you will save as much as 20% off the cost.
It is worth pointing out Olive also deliver to Princes Risborough (naturally), Chinnor, Lacy Green, Speen and other surrounding areas.
So what makes Olive’s cuisine so popular, I ask Saifi?
“Fresh ingredients and freshly cooked food. Most restaurants have pre-prepared, pre-cooked food,” says Saifi. Everything here is cooked to order, using fresh ingredients rather than frozen. Cooking takes a little longer, but I believe it’s well worth it, he adds.
When we met, Saifi had just travelled back from London sourcing fresh leaves. It would have been easier to use frozen, but that’s not the Olive way.
Saifi describes Olive as a naturally authentic Indian Restaurant. The aim is to bring customers regional dishes from around India as well as traditional favourites.
“All our curries contain 100% natural ingredients and we do not use any processed meats, bulking agents, preservatives, artificial colourings or flavourings, explains Saifi.
You can enjoy classic favourites such as Masala’s, Korma’s, Pasandas, Baltis, Dopiazas, Bhunas, Jalfrezis,Vindaloos and so on.
Or, how about something a little different, like the regional specialities:
Kholapuri Garlic Chilli Chicken.
Cooked with fresh chillies, lime and finished with mustard & curry leaves.
Rajasthani Venison Curry.
Venison curry from the land of famous forts and palaces.
Sri Lankan Slow Cooked Lamb. Lamb with spinach and chick peas.
Coorgi Coconut Lamb. Lamb cooked with coconut milk flavoured with cardamom and saffron.
Parsee Roast Duck Narangee. Five spice marinated duck with ginger
fennel and orange sauce.
Goan Green Chicken Curry. Chicken cooked in a tangy sauce made from a
puree of green herbs tropical lime.
Spiced Monk Fish Malabari. Marinated with roasted spies, pan fried.
Keralan Jumbo Prawn Curry.
Golden roasted coconut and mustard curry with traditional Keralan spice.
Alleppey Mango and Coriander Chicken. Mild curry cooked with yoghurt, mustard seed and fresh green mango.
Hriyali Lamb.
Chef special herb cooked with spinach and potato.
Saifi is a trained Chef and has worked in the business for 35 years. He has worked at Olive in Princes Risborough since it opened, working seven days a week establishing a reputation for fine food and service. Quality is key to everything Saifi does. from the interior decoration to the wine list for example. Olive stock quality wines from France, Italy and South Africa.
He could serve cheaper wines and make a greater profit, but again, that is not the Olive way.
When eating in, Olive is limited to just two sittings. Saifi wants his customer to savour the dining experience and not be rushed.
Eating in or takeaway, Olive serve up some fine Indian Cuisine. I owe my Brother-in-law a drink. Kingfisher, I think.
Call 01844 274443 to order a delivery or book a table.
OLIVE IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK FROM 5.00PM
Olive Indian Restaurant
16 Duke Street, Princes Risborough HP27 0AT
Tel: 01844 274443 / 01844 274388
Email: info@oliveindianrestaurantpr.co.uk
You can read more articles like this one in the latest edition of Thame Out.
