Tucked away in a mini-mall called The Gateway is an oasis of pure culinary pleasure. You can tell just how good the food is by all of the people in the restaurant. A Saturday afternoon and the place was packed. Customers are couples, girlfriends, and families, all enjoying their divine food. Whether it is outside on the very lively patio or inside where you feel like you’re somewhere in the Mediterranean, it is all delicious and a wonderful treat for your eyes as well. But don’t mistake their food for truly Italian, no, more of a fusion of Middle Eastern and Italian, right smack in the middle.
I sat at a booth in the bar, which had a Dodger’s giant’s game on their large flat-screen TV, which to me is an added bonus. They have 4 flat-screen TVs in the bar all on different sports channels, so you could come here and enjoy a meal and watch your favorite game. Plus they also have happy hour with complimentary appetizers. Who does that any more? Happy hours are all now just discounted food and drinks, but here they are doing a nice spread of free food, I love that. Honestly, if I lived closer I would be here all the time. With live music on the weekends, how could you go wrong!
They play great guitar music on their playlists, Ottmar Leibert, The Gypsy Kings, and a past client of mine Jesse Cook, all to lighten your mood and get your palate ready for this sumptuous food. The interior is filled with art. There is a floor-to-ceiling magnolia tree inside the dining room. It might be fake, I didn’t get that close. Venetian glass wall sconces and overhead fixtures light up the room, while the banquets are covered in a lovely floral modern fabric.
The restaurant is a family-run restaurant, by Nima Javapour, his dad, and his wife Sunny. They have been operating since 2014, however, have been longtime residents of the Santa Clarita Valley since 1989. They all have extensive experience and background working for multi-national hotels (Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, etc.) and numerous stand-alone and corporate restaurants. They decided in 2014 to utilize their combined experience and open a restaurant in the community where all of our families have grown and are currently living.
Here’s What I Tried:
Cocktails:
3 Martinis:
Lemon Drop – in a proper martini glass, not too sweet, just right.
Traditional with Blue Cheese olives, the olives are so incredible, wow.
Cosmopolitan, this was not the typical Cosmopolitan, it’s far better.
Specials:
Special Muffaletta, with fries. This sandwich is filled with great cold cuts and the olive tapenade inside is all that.
Special Paparedelle with prawns, one of my favorite dishes at Olive Terrace. I ordered this dish with the pappardelle, my readers should do the same.
Entrees
GRILLED RACK OF LAMB, WITH garlic & herb marinated, turmeric, extra virgin olive oil, seven spice, baby vegetables, apricot, raisin, and almond basmati rice. The best part of this dish for me was the rice, no joke.
MEDITERRANEAN POWER SPINACH, with turkey, baby spinach, kale, almonds, pistachio, dates, garbanzo beans, quinoa, hard boiled eggs, pomegranate, orange segments, in a honey blood orange vinaigrette. I really loved this salad, it’s got everything you would want in a salad.
CRABMEAT STUFFED MUSHROOMS, with garlic, onion, panko breadcrumb, butter, smoked Gouda. The crabmeat is real crabmeat, and it’s got a Gouda cheese kick, really terrific.
MONTEREY BAY TEMPURA CALAMARI, with lemon, chili flake, garlic, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce. The tartar sauce is all that and more, for sure a must-have.
BAKED OYSTERS, nice oysters with a crumbly stuffing.
THE WEDGE, With baby iceberg lettuce, Gorgonzola crumbles, red onions bacon, tomatoes, pepitas, black sesame, blue cheese. Another must-have menu item for me, just loved their rendition of this famous salad.
COQUILLES SAINT JACQUES GNOCCHI PASTA, with jumbo scallops, shallots, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, béchamel sauce, linguine Alfredo, garlic toast. The scallops are large and the sauce and cheeses will blow your hair back, but beware very filling and very rich.
Desert:
Crème Brulee caramelized brown sugar, delicious and comforting, with some nice berries on top.
Old Fashioned Pecan Tart vanilla ice cream, the tart is full of great pecan flavor, not too sweet just right.
Wines:
Chardonnay
HESS SELECT 2018, MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA,
Crisp, clean and bright. Lemon-Lime, apple, and a tropical touch with balanced acidity.
SONOMA-CUTRER 2017, RUSSIAN RIVER, CALIFORNIA,
Fuji apple, fresh roses, lime, lemon blossom, and nectarine complemented with nougat, baking spices, and wet stone minerality. Crisp and zesty flavors of lemon drop, lime, and grapefruit.
MER SOLEIL, UNOAKED 2017, MONTEREY COUNTY, CALIFORNIA. Creamy, not overly buttery aromas meet with Anjou pear, honeysuckle, and Marcona almond notes on the nose The palate combines nutty qualities with lemon peel and sharply acidic apple. Every one of these chardonnays were just simply divine, all having similar characteristics, all to be paired with any of the seafood items.
Zinfandel:
JOEL GOT 2017, CENTRAL COAST, CALIFORNIA,
aromas of roasted plum and blackberry jam with hints of sweet spices. Bright red fruit flavors and acidity are complemented by a soft, round mouthfeel and a long finish. This wine will pair perfectly with the lamb, it is just that simple.
The vibe was fun, lively, with lots of energy inside and out. I would absolutely come back here anytime when I am in the area, as well as coming back for their happy hour and live music. This place was a true hit with me!
Olive Terrace Bar & Grill
Conserve | Sustain | Indulge
28261 Newhall Ranch Road | Valencia, CA 91355
t 661-257-7860 | f 661-257-3435 | [email protected]
www.oliveterracebarandgrill.com
facebook.com/oliveterracebarandgrill
http://www.yelp.com/biz/olive-terrace-bar-and-grill-santa-clarita
* Note some content was taken off of their website.
