Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Masri.
Kay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My husband and I both traveled a lot in our corporate jobs. We wanted to be home more with our children. My husband wanted to open a restaurant since college. He has a great gift with food so Olive Bistro was launched 1997 in Little 5 Points Atlanta My husband grew up in the Mediterranean so he uses family recipes. Falafel, hummus, baba made from scratch. Our food is a labor of love served with passion to our beloved, loyal customers. We recently relocated our long-standing Midtown location to 1050 Juniper St, heart of Midtown. Steps from Piedmont Park, in the heart of the business and residential district.
Vinings is at the corner of Paces Mill and Cobb Parkway, a few minutes from Cobb Energy. We are blessed to have repeat customers from 1997. Our goal is to offer fresh, healthy food in a casual, cozy, intimate atmosphere. We offer custom catering designed for the customers unique event. Nothing about us is cookie cutter. We adjust and change to meet the needs of our customer. Table service is very important to us because we feel the customer deserves to be pampered and enjoy their time with us. There are a sea of counter ticket restaurants, we want you to relax. We know people are in a hurry, especially at lunch so we offer takeout and our table service is efficient for the office crowd. We select wines to pair with the Mediterranean food and offer weekly specials. Good food, drink with friends is our mission and we thank Atlanta/ Vinings for dining with us.
Has it been a smooth road?
We were lucky to get a good review early in our Little 5 Point opening days. This set the tone and our reputation is based on repeat locals that have supported our business from day one. We just recently relocated our Midtown location to add a full bar. Getting the word out about our new address has proven to be a bigger challenge than anticipated. We are on Juniper Street between 12/11 Th St across from Joe’s on Juniper. Parking is in the hotel garage (2-hour free w validation). Restaurant work is long hours but we enjoyed going home at night to our family versus a hotel room, so the change has been worth the long hours. Nothing is more important than family.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Olive Bistro – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our customers report to us that we are consistent. This is what sets us apart and what we are the most proud of. Our small batch hummus is our number one product and customers rave about it. Customers tell us it tastes the same today as in 1997. My chef, husband is the foundation of the food and is very talented, very humble. He cares about his food and it shines in the freshness and quality. To hear a customer we met 20 years ago walk in and say this was as good as always makes our day.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
We love the energy, people and diversity of palates in our city. The food community has evolved and the freshness of products available has improved. People ask for new items. When we first opened, we had to educate customers about falafel. Good to see the evolution of international food in Atl. Ethnic food is key to an international city’. Dislike the lack of mass transit to better serve our community.
Pricing:
- Moderate prices. We still offer a $10 weekday lunch
Contact Info:
- Address: Olive Bistro Midtown: 1050 Juniper St NE suite 4: Atlanta 30309
Vinings: 3300 Cobb Parkway Atlanta 30339 - Website: Olivebistro.com
- Phone: 404-874-5336/770-272-8900( vinings)
- Email: oliveb1099@hotmail.com
- Instagram: olivebistroatl
- Facebook: Olivebistro
- Twitter: olivebistroatl
Image Credit:
Personal photo taken traveling with family. Travel, art, culture from my husband’s homeland is the inspiration for our business/food.
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
