Olive Oil is a fresh new eatery in downtown Wilmette in the space formerly occupied by the coffee shop Spilling the Beans.   I decided to check it out after several friends recommended it. The owner, Rosie Petropoulos, knows about "fresh" foods, having owned and operated the "Chicago Fruit Market" for many years in Chicago. Since their storage space is small, Rosie purchases fresh ingedients daily.

The restaurant is a family affair with food being prepared by Rosie's husband Oved and her sister Lili who are avid cooks.  Her daughter was also involved until a new baby rearranged her priorities.  After looking at many different locations to open her new restaurant she walked into the former coffee store space and "women's intuition" told her this was the perfect spot.  She loves the area, being on the corner right across the parking lot from the train station.

I took to their innovative creations right away - I love the Mediterranean menu and diet.  Rosie's background is Mediterranean, French and Italian and her husband is from Israel.  Being a vegetarian I found plenty to eat there, but she also has many meat and chicken entrees, with lamb being the local favorite of her customers.  She also makes a dish called "Shawarma" which is her version of a gyro sandwich, except she uses chicken.  The chicken is not molded and formed, but whole pieces that are thinly carved for the sandwiches.

Some other standouts are:

• Dutch Gouda Cheese Panini
• Angus Port Roast Beef Sandwich with Huntsman Stilton mayonnaise
• Shakshouka, a house speciality of eggs cooked in a tomato, onion and pepper sauce
• French Onion Soup with Gruyere
• Kabob Burger in a Pita

  Plus lots of falafel, hummus, baba ghannoush, feta cheese, olives, and eggplant.  She also whimsically offers a "VIP" Menu, otherwise known as the children's menu.  Kids love her chicken fingers made from whole pieces of chicken and lightly breaded as well as mac & cheese using Parmesan, Gruyere and American cheeses. 

Olive Oil has a full liquor license with cocktails, beer and wine served by the glass or bottle.  How about cooling off on a hot summer night with a "Cardamon Bloody Zing Zang?"  Or stopping by in the morning for a Turkish coffee with cardamon. 

The restaurant is open 7 days a week from 11-9 but will stay open later on weekend nights. Take-out is available and she will soon have a specific menu called "Chef to Go" just for that purpose. Outdoor dining is offered during the summer. Treat yourself and stop by for lunch or dinner!

Olive Oil Restaurant

1154 Central St., Wilmette, IL

847-256-1002

If you or anyone you know is considering moving, please give me a call!