Posted by: Judy Stabler - November 10, 2008 03:11 PM

I am absolutely in favor of requiring restaurants to provide nutrition information to the public. I read all labels before I buy a product at the grocery store, and I want the same information about food I buy when I eat out. NOT just "chains," but any establishment that prepares and serves food owes that to their customers. There is no other way to make people aware of what they are eating so they can make good choices. We shouldn't have to eat "mystery food." The info should be prominently displayed on the menu, not hidden behind the cash register, and should be presented in an easily understood format. What's so hard about that???

Posted by: Sarah D. - March 31, 2009 07:36 AM

Name of establishment – Wild Olive
Location of establishment – 2867 Maybank Hwy
Johns Island, SC 29455
Phone number – (843) 737-4177
Name of author – Sarah D.
Credentials of the reviewer – Culinary Arts Degree

Genre of establishment- cozy yet sleek
Who the intended consumer of the establishment is included – both men and women all
Ages
Nationality – Italian Inspired
Type of food- Italian
Age – all ages
Type of town – Small area starting to grow.
Other attractions located near by – Fat Hen and Kiawah Island.
When the restaurant was first opened –
Did I meet the owner – No, not to my knowledge
The menu – mediocre
Overfriendliness – welcoming
Appetizers – yes, would not recommend them.
Drinks – non alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.
Entrees – good amount of choices, food was not great.
Clearly composed – Yes
Comparable in size, price to other locations – Yes
Size of establishment – enough seating, medium size, great ambiance

Available seating – 135
Waiting area – there is no seating for customers to sit, the bar is available, and outside standing too.
Separate smoking/nonsmoking – No, just outside.
Restrooms – yes
Expected length of wait – none for us
Do you need to make reservations – Limited reservations accepted.
Atmosphere – pleasant, fun, and attractive to the eye.
Decorations – very Italian.
Music – yes, but quite loud.
Noise level – echo’s an immense amount.
Entertainment – none
Hours opened – Dinner - 5:30pm - 10:00pm Closed: 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, New Years Day

Prices – average $8-20
Reasonable – If the food was cooked properly it would be, but it was a disappointment for quality.
Comparable to other establishments – Yes
Variety – Yes
Quantity – Large
Speed prepared – quick
Do they check back with you frequently – No
Proportions of employees to customers – plenty
Appropriate dress for establishment – casual (employees were t-shirts all the same with jeans)
A link or homepage offered for this establishment – yes www.wildoliverestaurant.com
Pictures of establishment – yes online
Kitchen – opened kitchen, big, well organized
Parking – yes, dirt road

An overall rating – The atmosphere was delightful. Right when you walk in someone greets you. You get the feeling of a small modern Italian home. I asked to sit in a booth and right as I sat down I sank. It felt like I needed a booster seat. The service was slow. There was about 10 people dining and 20 staff. Most of them were standing around leaning against the walls. I had one server ask us for our drink order and the main server brought my drink about 10 minutes later. I ordered right after he brought my drink so I did not have to worry about if he was going to come back or not. If the other servers realized that he needed some assistance no one would have been waiting. The food came out quick. That was about the only thing I did not wait for. My first course was the “Calamari”. The breading was bland and would not stay on the calamari rings. Also the bottom of the plate was about a half an inch thick with bread crumbs. I don’t know if they were trying to make this dish looks bigger then it was or if that is the way they present there food. I seriously doubt they are fooling anyone. In my culinary experiences I have never seen a pile of bread crumbs for garnish or to bulk a dish up. As for the entrée I ordered the “Brick Chicken”. The description sounded lovely. However when it was placed down the potatoes were burned and tasted like they were a week old. Dry, burned and under seasoned. A red potato is so to speak inexcusable. Such a simple side dish should not be presented like this. “If you would not eat it, Don’t serve it!”