The Olive Tree Cafe/Comedy Cellar
117 MacDougal St
New York, NY 10012
(212) 254-3480
This is one of my favorite places to go. Whenever friends come from out of town and want to grab a bite, this is the first place I take them. Its a very cozy place to be. Right in the heart of Greenwich village (off Bleecker Street) you cant go wrong with The Olive Tree. There is really something for everyone.
From traditional Middle Eastern dishes like Shawarma, Kabobs, felafel, hummus, Baba ghanoush, Israeli salad to fun foods like the most amazing Buffalo wings I have ever had this place will satisfy all. The atmosphere is very comfortable and cute, with silent Charlie Chaplain films playing on a projector. It even has a slight kid friendly vibe with tables that you can write on with chalk. If you want to keep the kids occupied, it might be smart to bring your own colorful chalk because they only have white.
On top of that, the prices are very reasonable! A chicken kabob sandwich will cost you about $6.50, a platter with rice is about 11 dollars. The restaurant is very clean and neat, and can actually be classified as a “nice” restaurant. You can go there for drinks with friends, a date, or even a business meeting. If youre in the mood for a good laugh, guess what! THE COMEDY CELLAR is right downstairs!
And all the same foods can be purchased in the comedy cellar! The comedy cellar stage has been graced by some of the greatest comedians of today such as Wanda Sykes, Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock, Robin Williams and even Jerry Sienfeld! If you cant afford to go to the comedy cellar, just go to the bathroom and walk really slow, cuz you have to go through the comedy cellar to get to the bathroom. But make sure you look your best, or you might get clowned.
Speaking of the bathroom, it’s so small, you can be inside it and outside it at the same time. Why bother even going all the way in? You can stick your butt in and keep your head out to watch the comedy show. Make a note to self not to eat too much if you go there, cuz if you get too fat, you wont fit in the bathroom.They need to do something about that.
Other than that, I highly recommend this place for anyone looking for a laid back atmosphere with fun food. By the way…if you want to feel warm and fuzzy inside, grab a hot apple cider or warm milk and honey. You wont be disappointed!
The area is also very lively, so once youre done eating, go outside and buy some sterling silver jewelry off of an outside vendor, or a nice bong from around the corner if youre a weedhead (or a crackhead? lol just kidding)..there are also all kinds of boutiques, dessert shops (Red Mango frozen yogurt is also deelish…Pinkberry who?). And if youre wondering, NO i am not a weedhead, and i dont own a bong..the little ones look like penises. WTF?!…I do want a hooka though! I dont smoke but I think they’re pretty. I tried hooka once though..its fun…if u like coughing. lol
My favorite dishes:
Buffalo Wing and Mozarella Sticks platter: (i dont like cheese that stretches so I usually wait for my sticks to cool off before I eat them. I know..I’m strange). The wings are honestly the best buffalo wings I’ve ever had. My friend who claims to be a “wing EXPERT” gave me the side eye when I suggested this restaurant. Once he tasted the wings, he gave me my props! HA! Just make sure you ask for them to be well done. Buffalo wings are best when theyre nice and crispy.
Chicken Kabob sandwich: Yummy well seasoned chunks of chicken, fresh off the skewer and tucked into pita bread with lettuce and isreali salad. It comes with your choice of yogurt or tahina dressing. I usually pass on the dressings and ask for buffalo wing hot sauce with mine. Yeah I’m annoying lol. Also, if you find a lil piece of wood once in a while, dont fret…i told you its FRESH off the skewer!
Chicken Kabob Platter: Same wonderful chunks of chicken as in the sandwich but theyre still on the skewers, served with isreali salad and your choice of fries (yeah), rice (OH YEAH!), or mashed potatoes. All are good but with this dish I prefer the rice. I love the isreali salad too!
Drinks: I really dont drink alcohol, so I usually have the hot apple cider…its so yummy with the cinnamon sticks that they put in it. And if im feeling chilly, i will have the warm milk with honey! Just make sure youre on your way home (or back to your hotel) if you drink the warm milk because it might make you sleepy.
