Review: Black Olive Bistro in Cuenca, Ecuador

 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.

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

 Finally the food arrived. The Arugula Salad and French Onion Soup Heather ordered was the first to arrive. The salad was missing the cranberries and walnuts. It looked nothing like salads we had seen arrive at the other tables around us. There was a delicious cheese and Heather wanted to like it but there was not much arugula to be enjoyed. For six bucks, you would think it could be a bit more substantial. Onward to the soup. Inside the cheese covered dish was a huge chunk of bread. There was almost no onions present mostly broth. Heather remarked that while it was tasty, it got low marks for lack of onions and to much bread. 

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.

Free Dessert

 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.

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.