Wild Olive — Restaurant in Crestview

09-03-25

Nestled in the heart of Crestview, The Wild Olive offers an inviting ambiance that feels both cozy and vibrant. As soon as I stepped inside, the warm hues of the décor and the tantalizing aromas wafting from the kitchen set the stage for what would become an unforgettable dining experience. To kick off my meal, I indulged in the bacon-wrapped jalapeños—an excellent choice for any spice lover. The combination of crispy, smoky bacon enveloping the perfectly roasted jalapeños created a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. The heat was balanced just right, resulting in an appetizer that was both bold and comforting.

Next came the fully loaded potato soup, which was nothing short of a masterpiece. Creamy, rich, and utterly indulgent, each spoonful was like a warm hug on a chilly evening. With generous toppings of cheese, chives, and crisp bacon, this hearty soup set the stage for the main event. For my entrée, I opted for the pan-seared salmon, an experience that was nothing short of spectacular. The fish was expertly cooked to perfection—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Paired with whipped sweet potatoes that offered a subtle sweetness and a luxuriously smooth texture, the dish was elevated even further by the roasted Brussels sprouts drizzled with a delectable maple beurre blanc. The balance of flavors was exquisite, with the savory richness of the salmon complementing the sweetness of the sauce and the earthiness of the sprouts, creating a melody of taste that lingered delightfully on the palate.

To wash it all down, I enjoyed a refreshing glass of iced tea. It was the perfect accompaniment to the robust flavors of my meal, cleansing the palate between bites and enhancing the overall experience. In summary, The Wild Olive is a culinary gem that marries creativity with comfort. From the delectable appetizers to the sumptuous main courses, every dish showcases the chef's commitment to quality ingredients and exceptional flavor. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out or a special occasion celebration, The Wild Olive is the place to savor unforgettable flavors. I cannot recommend it highly enough—this is a dining experience that will leave you longing to return.

Now, let's talk about my server, Sydnee. From the moment I was seated, Sydnee radiated warmth and professionalism, effortlessly making me feel welcomed and valued. Her knowledge of the menu was impressive; she enthusiastically described each dish, offering thoughtful recommendations that truly showcased her passion for the culinary arts. Throughout my meal, she checked in regularly, ensuring that my experience was nothing short of perfect, all while maintaining an engaging and friendly demeanor. Sydnee’s attention to detail was remarkable—she anticipated my needs and provided seamless service without ever being intrusive. Her genuine enthusiasm for the restaurant’s offerings added an extra layer of enjoyment to the already delightful meal. It’s rare to encounter a server who embodies both expertise and a personal touch, but Sydnee managed to do so...

Showed up with no reservations was told we would have to wait roughly an hour for our party of 5. Then was given the option to sit on the patio to be seated sooner. Once seated we ordered drinks and an appetizer. The waitress waited a bit before asking us what we wanted to eat. Once we ordered it took quite some time to get our food. My husband got the Mahi and shrimp, stated the Mahi was bland tasting while the rice was pretty good and shrimp was delicious. One of our friends got the smash burger, stated that the burger for the price was not good; that it was a regular tasting burger nothing fancy about it. They also wouldn’t allow him to substitute the fries for fruit or a salad because it was a burger. I have the shrimp and grits, it was tasty and more like a take on Mac n cheese with how cheesy and thick the grits felt. The shrimp were partly sunken down into the grits and I had to “fish” for them and discovered they were tail on and slightly over cooked and hard for me (I have braces) to bite from the tail and chew. Our other friend had the coffee crusted steak and stated it was good, but didn’t stand out for what the charged price was. Their son had the kids burger which is more like sliders with fruit (they were allowed to order fruit with his meal after substituting the fries for it), he stated they were yummy and also devoured the bread they brought to the table between courses that we asked for. The desserts were good as well.

Overall, its a four star rating off of half the reviews from the table stating their food was good but not worth the dollar amount...

Back on Sept 14. Finally got back to one of our favorite sit downs. Hospitality, delicious meals, atmosphere. This is just a friendly local place that celebrates good food. Crispy Brussel sprouts. Yum. Just the right amount of sweet and savory and crisp. If the server asks if you'd like bread, say yes... for the bottom of the bowl of brussel sprouts. The Sweet potato gnocchi comes with ceasar side salad. Nice an light. Salad dressing is tossed before plating, so you get a taste in every bite. Oh my. The gnocchi is so good. If you're not sure what Fall tastes like, this is a good start. The blackened Mahi sandwich has a really nice portion. Just enough lettuce tomatoe and onion. French fries we hot and seasoned like I like them. Who needs catchup, the other sauce...mmm. Portions filled us up. Maybe we should have split an entree? Nah. Take home the leftovers and enjoy again. Delicious. And taking home a slice of red velvet cake too!

So good to be back at The Wild Olive! Started with the crispy brussel sprouts (topped with honey and bacon vinegrette and goat cheese), then enjoyed the backend shrimp and grits (gouda grits, bacon, green onions, Cajun butter sauce, and parmesan) and the chicken parmesan (we got the crispy chicken and it was moist and delicious) comes with capellini, marinara, provolone, and parmesan) Yum.  Pre-meal delicious bread with olive oil. Entree comes with a salad or soup. Either is going to be delightful. We had the house salad with apple vinegrette. Everything was delicious. Can't...