L'Olivo review: our verdict
L'Olivo has chosen its side: fish. Fresh, unpretentious, served fried for two, as paella, or in octopus dishes, in a room that has clearly been carefully arranged to welcome families. On the Aïn Chock side, on the Boulevard de la Mecque, it is a neighbourhood spot that aims higher than a simple fish-and-chips shop, with prices that remain reasonable.
The family Sunday lunch is its domain, and regulars have been returning since opening, attached to a maître d'hôtel who watches over every detail. But the experience heavily depends on the day: when the room is well-maintained, everything runs smoothly; when it isn't, the wait can exceed an hour, dishes arrive burnt, and the welcome becomes stiff. It is the address for a no-frills fish meal, for family or with friends. It is not that of a meticulously timed business lunch.
The dish to order: fresh fish, the house's real strength. The trap: coming in a hurry, or on the faith of a promotional offer; the fried dish for two has already proven less generous than on video, without calamari or octopus.
