Celebrity Chef Greg Malouf returns to Olive with a michelin star from late May!

if you are looking for restaurant that offers Modern Greek and Middle Eastern flavours in Hong Kong, People can seldom come up with a name, if any. And thankfully celebrity Michelin star chef Greg Malouf is bringing these exciting elements into the menu at Olive, in the midst of the exiting Elgin Street dining experience.

Knowing that Olive is ready to launch an exciting menu of Greg’s latest contemporary dishes in late May, we have a good reason to stay at Elgin street. We start our dinner with a couple of starter, complemented with a glass of fruity and light white wine. 

We all love the Olive’s almond falafel with lentil tabbouleh salad and tahini yogurt ($108). It’s a great journey of texture , going through the crusty ( a bit hard though- because of the fully occupied almond crust on the outside); and then a tender and soft inside. The meat ball has a good kick from the chili that surprise us when the hot sensation pops up at our tastebud after few second. Spiciness is always a temptation which you say- oh it’s too hot but then u want for one more bite; and one more.

 Another snacks that fits a Friday chat would goes to Golden spiced calamari and whitebait with taramasalata dip($128). Bouncy calamari indicates freshness and perfect timing of cooking.

We all adored the Turkish style Kofta with baked Eggs, Spinach, chilli and yogurt ($118). If you are lucky enough, you might witness the oozing egg yolk at this sizzling clay pot.

If you want to go exotic on this Friday night, suggested is the chicken liver kalamarki- crumbed , skewered and served wit feta mayonnaise($118). Liver was so creamy and melt immediately in the mouth with lingering exotic aftertaste that forms a contrast with the crunchy crumbs outside.

And our table’s favourite goes to Cypriot haloumy and fontina cheese fondue with sumac, thyme, lemon peel and toasted milk bread. ($118) All those cheesy jam clinging on each other, making us craving for more! Squeezing refreshing and light lemon juice on cheese has  added complexity to the dish, setting a contrast against the creamy comforting cheese.

Once we’ve had enough for starter, we move on to mains. We opted for Quail in pistachio, sumac, sesame crumbs on potato salad with peas & Persian spices. ($238)Quail was char grilled to a perfection, lots of umami juices oozing out, with a perfect pink. 

And if you are a fish person, recommended is the Pomfret in thrice cooked chips, cumin salt, griddled brocolini with almonds and harissa butter ($208) wth thin and crispy saffron-yeast batter. Potato as a condiment was a highlight too!  Given that the potatoes was firstly steamed, then stir fried and back to be deep fried, potato was rich and smooth like mashed one but with a stronger texture.


We end our night with a light and refreshing option for desert,  lemon posset with orange blossom and honey camel wafers ($68), and a comforting one,  Pavlova with chocolate mousse,  and strawberry salad. They all looked great and had great quality ingredients but were lacking a bit of creativity, and the wowing combinations that I was looking for in Belon.