Olive Tree Bath

3/5 stars Dinner at Olive Tree was a mixed experience for me. There were some genuinely excellent dishes throughout the tasting menu, but the overall atmosphere and service style left me uncertain whether I’d return. Highlights included the Sladesdown Farm Duck first course, which was incredibly light despite looking rich and substantial. The Black Treacle and Rye Bread with clotted cream butter and lamb fat was outstanding, and the Cornish monkfish with caviar and mussels was delicious, though I felt the fish itself leaned slightly overcooked. The lobster course was enjoyable as well, especially the claw meat, though again the tail was just past perfect for me. Some dishes didn’t quite land. The Islands Chocolate dessert was very good, but the balsamic and olive oil additions felt unnecessary, and the Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb simply wasn’t to my taste. What ultimately affected the evening most, however, was the service dynamic. Early in the meal, another guest asked whether a jacket was expected, and while reassuring them that it wasn’t required, the host went on at length about how formal dining standards were outdated. Since I was wearing a jacket, the exchange felt oddly pointed and uncomfortable. Throughout the evening the host maintained a level of overfamiliarity and casual joking that, to me, crossed into unprofessional territory. Interestingly, another diner I spoke with the following morning independently described the same host as “odd” and “too comfortable,” so it clearly wasn’t just my perception. This wasn’t a terrible experience by any means. There is obvious talent in the kitchen, and several dishes were memorable. But when dining at this level, hospitality and atmosphere matter just as much as execution on the plate, and the overall tone of the evening left an unfortunate aftertaste.

3 months ago · via Google

Attended with a friend on Friday. Service was sublime. I forgot my glasses and a lovely girl bought me a choice of them which was definitely a first. Very pleasant interiors. Service was Swift. Nothing was served hot. Everything was tepid. Thought that was how they were meant to be served. My main complaint? I got food poisoning! I’m holding that lobster as the responsible culprit. But I made it back to London and then got horribly sick. Nearly had to be admitted to hospital because vomiting so severe I was becoming dehydrated. I’m still not 100%. I would avoid a return for this reason. They have to be more careful!

3 months ago · via Google

Disappointing- I can only speak for the vegetarian menu but it was poor. The dishes (generally) were oversweet and the wines paired with them did nothing to cut through this but just added to the sweetness. As an overall meal the dishes and wine continued to build in sweetness, with the only salvation being the bread (also containing treacle) which offered a distraction to the palette. There were two courses ( the cauliflower and the ravioli ) which were not good though and left the majority of the course on the plate. As I say I can only speak for the vegetarian menu and I suspect that the standard menu is more balanced , complex and with better flavour combinations but I cannot attest to this. As a “sort of vegetarian “ ( I do on occasion eat meat) I feel the Land restaurant in Birmingham knocks the olive tree into a cocked hat , I would recommend the kitchen staff to visit and experience what an accomplished vegetarian meal taste like . Disappointing given the price but it was clear that Valentine’s Day had taken its toll on the kitchen, that said the staff were all very friendly and pleasant. For a vegetarian I would not recommend .

6 months ago · via Google

We went for the lunch option which was cracking value. If you’re based around the south west this should absolutely be on your list. You get the Michelin tasting experience for great value. The highlight for us was the langoustine. We loved the touch of the chef talking you through the dish. Service was exemplary.

4 months ago · via Google