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Olive & Vine
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
14301 Arnold DrGlen Ellen, CA 95442
(707) 996-9150
- Hours:
Wed-Sat 5:30 pm - 9 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for Olive & Vine
Review Highlights
"Major kudos for Catherine and her catering team."
(in 4 reviews)
"...no one else around and the wait staff is just incredible."
(in 3 reviews)
"And we visited them all-from Mustards to Fig."
(in 3 reviews)
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22 reviews in English
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Review from K L.
Houston, TX
8/26/2011
I don't know that I have ever been emotional about food. Of course that is not entirely true...I've been known to dance in my seat for a good ap, but this place is RIDICULOUS! We recommend sitting at the bar and getting to know the wines, the staff and the owner. It was sincerely the most exquisite experience with the completely relaxed California feel.
The STEAK is unreal. The wine could stand on its own as an evening. And the veggies/potatoes are crazy. The only thing I would say is if you order the fish, and your partner orders the steak, be prepared to be jealous.
We started the journey with the dumplings w/ bok choy, moved to the caprese, and thought we ended with the fish and steak. But holy freakin' cow!! The crisp-topped with fresh berries and ice cream- just blew our minds. All the wine suggestions were enough to make me wonder why we had spent days exploring without speaking to this bartender first. All with care that we experienced no where else in Napa or Sonoma. And we visited them all-from Mustards to Fig.
Totally friendly owner, the wine guy is SICK and knows his stuff like no one else around and the wait staff is just incredible. -
Review from John M.
San Francisco, CA
1/7/2012
A warm welcome and great attitude nudges up my rating for this. There's not much competition in Glen Ellen. So this is good to have as a choice.
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Review from John And Kathy H.
Santa Rosa, CA
1/13/2012
Local Sonoma wines especially Hughes Family Vineyard Merlot paired with the food was superb. This is just a wonderful restaurant for a special occaision and you will not be disappointed with the cuisine or presentation.
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Review from B K.
Santa Rosa, CA
12/16/2011
Maybe we went on an off night, but it was our second time dining here, and while I would rate the service excellent, I found the food average at best, during both visits. I think the chef and servers could feel that we weren't really happy with our meal, and even though we did not mention any dissatisfaction, we were offered free dessert and had an appetizer comped, which was very generous. I just can't say I want to spend a hundred dollars here again to leave slightly disappointed.
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Review from 'Zanne C.
Sonoma, CA
6/2/2011 5 photos
As a wedding photographer in Sonoma, CA, I am always in search of unique treasures in our valley to attract more destination weddings to our area. Last night I experienced a real wine country jewel. My friends and I were celebrating my brother Macon's birthday by going to Catherine Venturini's new place, Olive and Vine which she transformed from a popular cafe to an elegant restaurant in Glen Ellen.
The moment, we arrived we knew that we were about to embark on a magical dining experience. At the door we were graciously greeted by John Burdick, the host who is Catherine's partner both at the restaurant and at home. John also conducts top-of-the-line custom wine country tours companioned with exquisite foods prepared by Catherine. Catherine met John many years ago when he was a sommelier at the Farimont Hotel.
John exudes this quirky charm that makes his customers feel that they are part of an incredible adventure. An adventure that delights all of the senses. The atmosphere telegraphs understated elegance in a relaxed country style: chandeliers above country pine dinner tables, white linen cloths paired with burlap table skirts. Each dining chair has a different style; all are painted flat black with seats all covered in a high-end chic fabric. The background music is smooth, sensual and sophisticated.
The menu is divided into NOSH, MIDDLES and SAVOR. I have always thought that Catherine's food was based on Mediterranean cooking. However, the black cod and dumplings dish under NOSH had a delicious broth with an Asian flavor and a surprise kick from the chili infused oils. Our table ordered the lemon and sage roasted chicken with farro risotto, a coulette steak with fingerling potatoes, the lamb chop with sweet corn risotto cakes and the salmon. Every entree was superb; some were served with a medley of grilled vegetables including asparagus and carrots.
I forgot to mention that at the beginning of the dinner, Catherine sent a small plates to our table with an appetizer: a lightly fried round dough with crème fresh and a savory on top.
Catherine and John are talking about doing a fried chicken dinner in midweek for the locals. As we were leaving the restaurant, Catherine's last words were: "If you like the fried chicken at Ad Hoc, you will be blown away by my fried chicken!"
Catherine and John are true professionals who have mastered their craft and are on top of their game! -
Review from Pete J.
Walnut Creek, CA
11/5/2011
First time to this restaurant and I was favorably impressed. The ambiance is formal enough to feel like your are having a special night out but casual enough to not feel out of place in jeans. Overall the food was really good, wine choices more than adequate, and the owner/wait staff attentiveness was very good. The only dish we did not like all that much was the pasta in cream sauce. A bit too much cream sauce to the point of almost being a broth/pasta - and it needed a bit more seasoning. the fish was awesome, dessert was great and we would come back again. Overall nice experience.
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Review from Peter H.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 7/11/2011
It just gets better and better here. Another amazing wine country dinner! Yum de dum.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/12/2011
OMG. Closest restaurant to new home in Sonoma. Fresh onion soup, perfect Caesar salad, and amazing… Read more »
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Review from Jack H.
Manhattan, NY
9/4/2011
I'd have to give it a second try to say for sure, but I couldn't understand the hype. We waited quite a long time between courses with no explanation or acknowledgement. Both diners who ordered the chicken, neither fussy eaters, found the 'pudding' delicious but the chicken almost inedibly dry. No one ever asked how our meal was.
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Review from Lyn D.
Santa Rosa, CA
8/12/2011
Wonderful dinner and will go again. What is what the wine country is all about.
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Review from Jenna C.
Sonoma, CA
6/18/2011
We went here to celebrate my husband's birthday. The food was incredible!! The decor is stunning. They have a large local wine list and sommelier at the wine bar. I had what was quite possibly the most delicious lamb I have ever eaten, it melted in my mouth. My husband's halibut was also amazing! Seriously though I could have just eaten the vegetables, they were that good. Amazing place, we can't wait to go back!
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Review from Tom S.
Placer County, CA
4/7/2008 3 photos
Open for breakfast & lunch only. The food is wholesome and delicious. This is home made tasting "country food". Ingredients are purchased at the local markets.
It would be impossible to spend more than $20 per person on a full out, bust your belly meal.
Wine and beer are sold.
Dining room is decorated with wine country housewares. It's all for sale.
Good lunch stop for something "a little lighter". -
Review from Susan C.
Kenwood, CA
4/9/2011
Great dinner with the girls at local new dining spot in Glen Ellen. Food is made with fresh ingredients and beautifully presented. Service was super, knowledgeable about local food sourcing and wines and attentive. Ambiance was warm and dark with elegant candles, chandeliers and soft music with open kitchen for entertainment if you want that. Over all, good food and good vibes...
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Review from Derek R.
Broomfield, CO
5/11/2009
What to say? I'm giving it four stars for food, location and ambiance.
You can tell that they DON'T make their money from walk-in tourists.
It made more sense that they do most of their business from catering.
Again, this is a place mostly for locals and you are supposed to know what to do. Nobody will help you.
Do the following:
Walk up to the glass case. Look at the chalk menu above your head. Pick out some stuff. Write it down- 'cause the staff won't help you. Walk over to your right and grab some drinks out of the glass fridge. Stand by the register for 5 minutes or so. Place your orders... you wrote them down right? Prepare to wait AT LEAST 20 minutes. Enjoy very good food in small/medium portions.
Really really good food, but I suspect that they prefer to cater and host private parties. -
Review from Loretta O.
San Francisco, CA
11/5/2011
We were delighted to hear that this nice space is now serving dinner so we went last week...the decor is tasteful, service very good, tables well-spaced and food was imaginative, based on fresh, local products and very tasty, nothing disappointed. My only complaint is that corkage of $20 is much too high, especially since there are no good wines under $50. We live in the wine country, have a nice cellar of favorite wines and since we eat out frequently we take our own wines. We think $10 is enough to provide glasses, and many other upscale places like Dry Creek Kitchen and Starks make their money on food and have no corkage for Sonoma County wines...seems enlighted to me, and we go more frequently to places with no corkage or low corkage. Unless they are catering to the 1%, and there are some in Sonoma County, we think this policy should be more friendly to locals. We would certainly go more frequently.
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Review from Marnie R.
Chicago, IL
8/19/2010 4 photos
Major kudos for Catherine and her catering team. They did such an amazing job catering our wedding reception dinner which was in a wine cave for 35 people. The food, service and unique style was beyond our highest expectations. We did it with one long table and she picked out the perfect rentals to make this possible in a cave. I left the decor up to her for the most part which is unusual for a bride to do, but her reputation was so strong I trusted her and I had a ceremony at a different location to plan the details for. I am so glad I did because I could not have wished for a more beautiful setting. Even more important to our group of foodies and wine industry folks, the food was so delicious. Organic farm to table. We started with a a plated fig and goat cheese salad with baby greens and edible flowers. They grilled outside the cave delicious lamb and salmon which was served family style with their accompanied sides. They served grilled vegetables and grilled heirloom tomato salad. The dessert I designed and they executed perfectly which was a warm chocolate bread pudding with a mango sorbet on a rectangle plate. The Failla wines went perfectly with the food and our guests said it was the most delicious food and wine they have ever had at a wedding.
Catherine and her team were experts in doing something as unique as dining in a wine cave which most do not have kitchens.
I highly recommend Catherine and her team especially if you are not using a wedding planner and want everything to be perfect which it was. -
Review from Jordan M.
Oakland, CA
4/2/2008
This is the complany I used to cater my wedding for 250 guests. And the food was incredible. Fresh, rustic, local when possible. I can't believe how amazing the food was when cooking for such a large group of people. It's also a great place to stop for lunch or take out for a picnic. The people are very freindly and welcoming.
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Review from Joseph A.
Richmond, CA
10/8/2007
Wow. We stopped here for lunch while on a day of wine tasting. The food was great! My roast turkey sandwich was excellent. Even the tomato on it was delicious - I think an heirloom brandywine variety. There were four of us and everything we ordered was delicious. Casual, laid-back atmosphere - perfect...
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Review from Victoria A.
San Diego, CA
2/2/2010
We ducked in while waiting for our friends to finish up their massages across the street. Thought we would have a snack to tide us over until breakfast. We ordered veggie quiche and a veggie quesadilla. OMG! We ended up staying the whole morning. The quesadilla included the most succulent cararmelized onions as well as other roasted veggies. The QUICHE! Sun dried tomatoes, fennel, herbs, etc. It was the lightest, most flavorful experience I have ever had. The crust was light as air, and SO flakey! Wish I lived closer.......
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Review from Patti S.
Redwood City, CA
1/3/2011
Had a wonderful meal here with my boyfriend, brother and sister in law. Absolutely fabulous and danced the night away to the live music.
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Review from Renne S.
San Carlos, CA
9/1/2010
We have had the pleasure of enjoying this fabulous, healthy ,tasty, and creative food. Catherine is a doll and what a gourmet chef. Take the time to stop by or pick something up. It is worth your time.
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Review from G L.
San Francisco, CA
3/31/2009
I have used Olive and Vine twice to cater my parties. Once for my wedding and once for my mom's birthday. Catherine, the mastermind behind the business is absolutely fantastic and her food is flawless. Every guest at my wedding made a point to compliment us on the food. We've all been to weddings with terrible food and often come to expect the disappointment, but bad food is not an option for my family so we had to go with the best caterer in town. That "town" would be Sonoma County. I might try to convince her to come out to San Francisco too, she's that good. Catherine has a lunch spot in Glen Ellen, which is also wonderful, but her catering services are outstanding. I highly recommend Olive and Vine. One of the specialties (that I ordered for both parties) was the herbed lamb (cooked perfectly) served with a fig chutney.
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Review from susan k.
Sonoma, CA
4/25/2009
Not open for breakfast and lunch only! The best part about Olive and Vine is that there is live music on Friday nights from 7:00 until 10:00 On the first Friday of every month is a fantastic group called Plan Be. They offer up a tasty selection of jazz that goes perfectly with the really yummy food. The food really is good. The prices are reasonable too. The wait staff are usually really busy but they are super sweet and make you feel like you are at home.
