Review: Black Olive Bistro in Cuenca Ecuador
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/TheBlackOliveBistro
Address: Tarqui 9-61 Bolivar y Gran Colombia
Phone: (07) 283-2301
Website: http://www.blackolivecuenca.com/
Let's begin this
review with a small disclaimer. Go to TripAdvisor if you have any
doubts about our opinions we are about to share. We had heard a ton
of people saying that the Black Olive Bistro is a fantastic place to
eat. We were out shopping for appliances and we were nearby so we
decided to enjoy a nice relaxing meal at this famous Cuenca, Ecuador
hotspot.
We walked in and sat
at the only four person table that was open. The table was next to
the front door. Every time that traffic went by it created a breeze
that forced the doors to open and allowed the chilly Cuenca, Ecuador
breeze to enter the dining area. Granted, at first we welcomed the
drafts as we had gotten quite warm walking the dozen blocks uphill to
arrive at the bistro. But we did notice others in the restaurant
were distracted by the cold and bothered by it. Several times other
patrons got up to try to close the doors with little success.
We promptly received
our menu's and had our drink order taken. We waited. And about 15
minutes later two drinks arrived. One small issue, there were three
of us seated at the table. The third beverage was delivered about 5
minutes later.
We sat and talked
while we waited for our food. As we chatted we noticed a nice
looking older gentleman approach a table next to ours many times to
insure the four ladies were taken care of. The visits were in excess
of six times. We were never approached until our last few moments
and by then we were done with the whole experience.
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| Fresh Baked Bread with Butter |
After 35-40 minutes,
I waved over a server. We had seen others had bread at the table but
we didn’t and the ladies were becoming ravenous. The server
apologized, he acted shocked that we had not gotten any bread. I
have to mention it, as it seemed like every time there was a problem
they were shocked and amazed that something was amiss. The bread was
fresh and delicious.
We waited some more.
 |
| Heather's French Onion Soup |
 |
| Heather's Arugula Salad |
 |
| Mama's Bistro Burger |
Mama's burger
arrived and we were anxious to see it arrive as it was a bacon burger
and it was supposed to be topped with Carolina Smokehouse Bacon. We
had heard a lot about the bacon they offer but at $25.00US per pound
the perceived value was not present in our minds.
Guess what? The
burger that arrived was gorgeous and delicious. We all had a bite to
see for ourselves. Only one small issue, no bacon was on the burger.
That’s right... MIA. It's like getting to go on a hot date with a
supermodel. Dinner, dancing all the promised attractions...but
without the supermodel.
Again the shocked
look was given. Oh we had to ask two different servers for ketchup
for the burger and fries. The burger was half gone by the time it
arrived. The homemade mayo that was included was obviously homemade
and a nice touch. Very tasty as well. Curiously, it was a lime
green. I still don’t know why. The quality of the olive oil
perhaps? It is a mystery that shall remain unsolved.
 |
| Dan's Dinner |
And the third dish.
Mine. I asked for a pasta dish. The given name escapes me even now.
It was supposed to have capers, anchovies and tomatoes. I happen to
enjoy anchovies and I was looking forward to having some of my little
friends for lunch.
Look AT THE PHOTO.
It tasted so horrid that I only ate a few bites. Anchovies? Not
that I could tell. The ladies said it looked like the bottom of a
pan was scrubbed clean and what came out was tossed with some pasta.
It was dry. It tasted of capers and tomatoes. That's it. I took it
home and tried to get the dogs to eat it as I hate to waste food.
They both politely declined. One dog was so offended, she tipped the
bowl over and pushed the pasta around the floor hoping to find
something else that might be edible in the bowl. Sorry girl, no such
luck.
I ran off to the
restroom or rinse my mouth of the nastiness as we had nothing to
drink for the past half hour. As I returned, I found the ladies had
an additional Coca Colas in front of them and strangely, they were
eating a tart with ice cream and there was one at my seat.
 |
| Free Dessert |
I asked them what
gives? They smiled and said that the server had come over and said
sorry for the issues and he gave us the tart as a way of making it up
to us. It was a nice touch and honestly the dessert was the nicest
part of the meal.
Our experience was
so mixed that we were torn initially as to how to review this place.
After all, it famous and highly rated. After we got home we opened
trip adviser and began to read what others had happen to themselves.
That sealed the deal. This was a pattern offender that tried to cure
issues with a sweet bribe at the end.
I know some folks
that run blogs have nothing bad ever to say. They pass gas and it
smells like roses. Sorry but I won't lie. While some parts of our
meal were wonderful, like the dish of two strips of bacon that
belatedly arrived at our table...let's just say it was some of the
best bacon EVER....
But when you have
errors. Not just with the back or front of the house but with both.
And you know of the issues and yet fail to resolve them? You get a
bad grade.
Here is another
observation, remember the ladies we mentioned that were treated so
differently? That was one of the owners. And the ladies, we talked
with just a little. They guided us to choose different menu items
next time. Like the roasted chicken. It seemed to us that if your
an expat and you choose to eat at the Black Olive Bistro every week
you might get one form of treatment. If it's your first time most
likely it will be your last time. I think if you can stick it out
for the duration, and I mean several months, you might get to the
point of good service. It might also help to flirt with the older
man that co-owns the place. Oh it might also help if your a female
expat as well with no males at the table. Just my personal
observations.
One other thing I
observed! The place was packed with Gringo's. There was not a
single Ecuadorian present. To me that spells bad news. This is the
only place I have been or seen where expats were the only ones
present. I think in the future if I see that again, I will not
bother to even eat at that restaurant. In my opinion, if the place
is filled with expats only that's a bad sign.
We really wanted to
like this place. But the bad service from the front and back of the
restaurant sealed the deal. We award our first HALF of a shamrock,
ever. That’s it, one half. Again, go look at TripAdvisor. We are
not alone in our opinions.
