Olea — Restaurant in New York

I’ve lived in the hood for 15 years. Olea used to be my favorite spot for dates and to take family, friends for countless celebratory dinners. I considered it a second home for family events, and the main eve barman knew me well as I loved seating at the bar 1-2 times a week for date nights.

When I was finally able to make it there post pandemic, I had one of the main “fave spots” heartbreaks of my life. I got there feeling unwell after a long walk, and begged the first server to bring me water. She took forever despite my polite plea… as if she didn’t care. She was taking orders from other tables, walking around… I couldn’t believe it to be honest.

When I complained to someone as I felt I was about to faint, and just asked for water quickly… they asked me who was the server and I said “that girl in blue with dreadlocks”. Mind you English is not my first language but I don’t see how that’s offensive… right?

We were served the first course. Suddenly the day manager comes to our table and asks me and my date to… leave.

He was KICKING US OUT of the restaurant. The place I’ve been going for 15 years pre pandemic. I told him that, as I was shocked. He told me “no one there knew me”. Well maybe not the day staff, specially after not going there for 2 years during the pandemic and having health issues/treatment.

He then accused me of being racist or so with the server (what???) Hey I might not understand gen Z and their sensitivities very well, but I am sure I didn’t say anything close to racist. Is describing someone with dreadlocks racist? Was I supposed to know the server’s name?

I was a server in my college years - and if someone told me they were unwell and asked for water, I’d make make it a priority to bring them water, instead of taking other orders first as she did. Just being a basic human being, and helping someone in distress?

Not only they didn’t help me in time of need, ignored my plea, took their time forever… the day manager literally basically called me racist (???) and didn’t even want to hear my side.

I am a decent human being and offered to pay before we left… he said - no, just leave!

Wow. What can I say? I’m such a caring empath, and this really broke my heart. The unfairness of it all was deeply hurtful. I have such good memories from 15 years of Olea - celebrating important dates with loved family members who have passed, first date with my future partner, birthday celebrations, meeting in-laws… hard to count.

I won’t let the lack of kindness of that day’s staff crush my good memories. I know they were unfair to me, but I hope I was unlucky and that the owners are watching out the current staff - so longtime patrons from the hood don’t have their heart broken as I did. Honestly I never felt more humiliated in my life. I never went back, and it’s now in my no go list. It’s tough to accept but I will.

I’ll add one more thing: the food was less good than before. And they took my faves off post-pandemic. Add that to the horrid behavior they showed… perhaps I ain’t missing much. No place lasts forever. Perhaps this episode marks the official decadence of a former beloved neighborhood spot.

I should have filed a police report of the event, I feel they humiliated me and misunderstood me all along, while going with whatever feeling a crying baby gen Z had about me describing her by her shirt color and the dreadlocks. How about reprehending her for not listening to a pre-fainting customer plea for water?

It was Kafkian… I don’t wish it on anyone. Be careful what you say… the staff ganged up on me for whatever reason I still don’t fully understand. I might ask The NY Times Ethicist, as I cannot see what I did wrong. All I can see I was not helped in times of distress, then humiliated and then kicked out. Rethink your “staff learning & training” - the current staff is horrifying.

They now seem to have a dish named Eggs in Purgatory. Is that supposed to be literal? I’d describe the experience more like “Lack of Water in Hell”

Au revoir, see you...

​This is a hard review to write and I’ve slept over it before posting.

I have been coming to Olea since 2019, when I moved to the Fort Greene neighborhood. Both with my friends, colleagues, and I have even gifted its gift cards and recommended the place to many people. So my assumption is that you too would have a pleasant experience, the food is good and the staff is very professional, but some of them can be a bit racist at times. Yes there I typed that with a broken heart. I experienced it in small ways a few times at Olea, as you sadly build an eye being on the receiving end of it. Few times I’ve been there with my daughter and I got side eyes just because I asked for something simple, an additional small plate. Few times I was talked to in a way to be put off, almost alway from the white men. Female staff in my experience have been wonderful. You see, I am trying to be as honest as possible with my experience and feelings.

This Wed we got there at 2:30pm for a party of two, and I asked if we could sit outside. I was feeling under the weather a bit and did not want to sit inside (returned from a long flight back). Most of the outside seating was occupied, and two tables combined were still free, and I asked if we could sit on one of those tables. He told me in a very changed tone, NO. You can only sit inside. I asked look there is that big table outside (of two small tables of two), you can seat us there and it also looks like other people are about to finish so you’d have a lot of space. I know that the kitchen also closes at 3:30pm for lunch, but he insists that I sit closest to the bathroom table inside even when there are several empty tables both outside and inside. So I managed the courage to ask one more time, almost like asking him to feed us for free and he explained to me, “no that is only for a larger group.” Ironically a group of two women were seated on a 4 person table already, and later another group of two comes over.

So reluctantly I get seated on the assigned table inside, waiting for my friend to come. A different server brought me water, and I was about to take my medicine and I asked her if there was any chance we could sit outside. Because I could also see some people were leaving. She kindly and enthusiastically says, “no problem, of course, give me a sec.” She returns and leads us to one of the free tables outside. The other large table with a hard party of two eating on it, got free, and then later two white women got seated there too.

Rest of the meal was incredible as always they have been, and we left and I tip 25%. Maybe the men working at Olea are just having bad days, maybe they don’t like parties of two, maybe they don't like brown and black people. I don’t know exactly what is happening, maybe I am wrong and it is just going to be one of the positive accredited reviews on the listing and this is an experience of 0.1%.

I love when I get surprised by the quality, taste and cutlery of the food, and passion of Olea servers. I don’t appreciate this surprise to be treated inferiorly. White men at Olea, I think you...

I have lived one block away from this blissful restaurant for the past ten years and it has become a home away from home. A list of things that I cannot live without: Boquerones (marinated white anchovies) Turkish Breakfast (* if you are off weekdays like me I recommend coming then- weekend brunch is packed from open to close) Patatas Bravas Goat Cheese Croquettes Spanish Gambas French Crevettes Orecchiette pasta... seriously I have tried to make this at home so many times but it is never as good as it is here. Whole Branzino Chocolate Croissants AWESOME coffee and they have to go cups if you are headed to the subway Seriously the food here is so freaking delicious and fresh. There are always a list of specials so there is always something new to try. Over the years this has become my go to place for essentially all meals-- relatives in town, date night, friend's birthday, pre or post BAM, holidays (they don't take reservations usually but on Valentine's Day and New Years they did!), and even just a quiet night at the bar with a book. Thomas, the bartender, has been there since day one and if he is pouring your drink you are in good hands indeed. The rest of the staff is super friendly and efficient and quick to smile. It is wonderful to feel welcome and part of "the family" whenever I am there. There are 4 tables outside if you are lucky enough to snag one and do some people watching! The decor is bright and inviting, there are pillows everywhere! The bathroom is huge and clean and adorable and there is fresh eucalyptus everywhere so it smells amazing. I am sorely addicted to several of the specialty cocktails they offer. There is also a large variety of Mediterranean spirits and liquors. Dan, the affable and hilarious owner also oversees the wine list which is well priced and has some great finds on it. This is my happy place. Seriously. Its my favorite...