The low prices at Olives and Figs will keep diners of East London coming back for more.

The Venue
Olives and Figs, a Turkish mezze bar and grill, is located at the corner of Artillery Passage. It used to be an Indian grocers, so it’s unlicensed – a tiny room for about 20 covers with another basement room for thirty more. It’s a nice place, with a welcome on the mat, a cosy room that feels, like the food it serves, very individual. The grill is visible at the back of the premises and you can watch your meal being cooked over the charcoal embers. And when that’s going strong, the aromas emanating from it are fantastic.

The Atmosphere
Home from home would describe the ambience at Olives and Figs. It’s rather like being in a private dining room and there’s food to match, good, fresh home cooking. The decor is simple with a few Turkish artefacts such as the small carpet on the wall. The atmosphere is friendly and this attracts a wide range of customers, from City types in their lunch hour, to locals and visitors shopping at Spitalfields Market. The alleys outside are buzzing with other restaurants and coffee shops, so it’s now a popular area for tourists and local residents alike.

The Food
The menu offers six starters and a fresh, homemade lentil soup (£2.50 - £3.50). The main dishes (£7.50) are also available as wraps (£5) to eat in or take away. The starters are mainly dips and salads such as hummus; patlican salad, a puree of smoke-grilled aubergine blended with lemon, yogurt and sesame seeds; tabbouleh is bulgur cracked wheat mixed with tomatoes and onion, flat leaf parsley and lemon; and kisir, bulgur wheat with nuts and herbs and some spices. The best way to try these is in the mezze plate with a portion of each one. They’re all very fresh tasting and delicious, especially when served with the hot Turkish pita bread and garnished with salad.

The main courses comprise various kebabs such as lamb shish with the diced meat marinated in herbs and spices, skewered and charcoal grilled. The chicken shish is marinated in double cream, oil and garlic with pepper paste and herbs and then grilled. Kul basti is a fine dish of lamb steaks lightly flavoured with oregano and grilled. The meat is soft and tender, the flavour particularly strong with the oregano. All main courses are served with rice and salad and Turkish bread.

There are also chef’s specials (£3 - £4.50) such as grilled hellim cheese on salad, a feta cheese salad, borek (pastry parcels filled with feta and baby spinach leaves which is then deep-fried and served with salad), spicy chicken wings and fries and flamed grilled Suzuk sausages with salad in a wrap. The seafood specials are sea bream grilled with ginger and garlic sauce (£9.50) and King prawns butterflied and grilled, with garlic sauce (£7.95 and £9.50). The Mediterranean chicken stew is highly recommended. Succulent and soft breasts of chicken are steeped in a delicious tomato gravy with mixed vegetables and served with rice – a real treat of a dish and a great healthy casserole too.

There are a limited number of desserts but the honey-soaked baklava pastry and the poached pears are both exceedingly good. Don’t leave without trying the excellent homemade vegetable samosas, which come in a huge portion but only cost 50p each.

The Drink
Drinks are limited to soft drinks and mineral waters and teas and coffees as Olives and Figs is not licensed. You may, however, bring your own wine or beer with you, and there’s no corkage fee. Finish the meal with a good, strong Turkish coffee, with or without sugar.

The Last Word
Excellent food in amiable surroundings. This authentic Turkish grill and mezze bar will leave you with the satisfying feeling of having enjoyed a very good meal for only around £10 or less.

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