Restro reivew: Olive Bistro (European, Mediterranean, American)

Hyderabad gets its Olive gourmet experience, thanks to foodies Shaaz and Shiraaz, who have partnered with founder AD Singh, to bring it, in a bistro setting.
Decor
The ambience, especially that gifted by nature, is jaw-dropping. The restaurant has indoor and al fresco seating, both providing killer views of a pristine Durgam Cheruvu (Secret Lake) surrounded by green hills.There is a bar seating (to be operational soon) on the terrace, which has an even more sublime view. The rugged white walls, cobbled stone flower-pot-dotted pathways outside, leading indoors to warm and earthy colours, with a hint of turquoise blue, add up to a feeling of joie de vivre, reminiscent of a Greek island. Especially vibrant is the nautical theme running outdoors, with a boat, fishing nets and a windmill in the backdrop!
Food
On the menu, is a host of soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers and a nourishments section, which has pastas, steaks, roasts and grills etc. I start on a soup sampler of Cold Smoked Mushroom Veloute (` 180), Chaudiere, and Roast Tomato and Mandarin Broth. The mushroom soup is a work of art, bursting with the flavour of the slow-cooked confit of cremini mushrooms. Chaudiere (` 190) is equally competent, with a potato and corn stock, into which roasted pepper and shrimps have been added, you have a smoked chicken\vegetables option too. Salad sampler follows with Chicken Caesar (perfect), Roasted Beetroot, Ricotta, Arugula & Candied Walnut and Melon & Feta, with a mint and vinagraitte dressing. On the table is a basket of fresh baked (in-house) breads: focaccia, garlic and pesto, which is soon joined by wood-oven thin crust pizza, (all vegetarian (` 410) and smoked jerk chicken (` 440), which is okay.
A bite of Wood Oven Baked Cannelloni (` 440) yields sheer magic, soft and luscious, with three separate fillings of creamy spinach, sauteed mushroom and artichokes. Merlot Braised Lamb Cassoulet (` 580) is well-done too. But what works best for me is the Seafood Grill, (` 650) with its dill-and lime marinated calamari, prawns in harissa and grilled Indian basa, served with roast garlic and basil-flavoured garden vegetables.
At Olive, do keep space for desserts, as their Hot Chocolate Fondant (` 210) served with a citrus white chocolate sauce is divine, and so are the Vanilla Pannacotta (` 210) in a pink peppercorn and orange sauce, and their signature special, the OB Insanity Cake Slice (` 280).
My favourite, however, has got to be the milk ice-cream-filled profiteroles drizzled with hazelnut and bitter chocolate, a bite of the hard éclair, leading to a cold rush on your palate, being just heavenly!
Plus & Minus
At the helm is the very talented chef de cuisine Mayank Tewari, an old hand with Olive Bar & Kitchen, Mumbai, so you may expect only the best gourmet experience here.
Olive Bistro: Durgam Cheruvu, Road No. 46, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Meal for Two: `1500
Timings: 12 noon to 11.30 pm
Rating
Décor: 4.50
Food: 4.50
Service: 4.00
Must try: Mushroom Veloute, Chaudier, Cannelloni, All Veg Pizza, Chicken Caesar, Seafood Grill, Profiteroles, Hot Chocolate Fondant