Stone the Crows, our Fledge has more birthday celebrations than Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II !!! Mummy Bird recently threw her a bash where the adults had a selection of dishes from the lovely Jacqui at Olive Moroccan restaurant in Belper, and (of course!) the ‘kids’ tried some and absolutely loved it, so Jacqui kindly invited us all along for a belated birthday meal.
It was a warm evening, so several folks had opted to sit outside in the courtyard; can’t fault them, with a bit of imagination you could pretend you were in Morocco – it was hot enough. We sat inside because a) His Nibs gets sunstroke just looking at the sun and, b) I go postal if I have wasps near me! Helping Jacqui on this particular evening was a really pleasant young lady called Millie and she soon got us sorted with a big jug of water; meanwhile we cracked open a cheeky bottle of Pinot Grigio and toasted Fledge’s birthday (again!).
I would absolutely mug you for some of Jacqui’s scrumptious Stuffed Dates; if you haven’t had these before, you really do need them in your life. We’ve taken friends with us to dine at Olive who weren’t sure at all about these and tried them at our behest, only to be bowled over by their sweet and creamy charms. This appetiser is served warm so the Dates go sumptuously gooey and the Cream Cheese that is used to stuff them turns to a delightful silky texture that seriously has the senses in raptures.
With those beauts under our belts, Jacqui came out and said “Shall I just do you a little bit of everything?” Clearly she knows us too well! On a warm summer evening there’s nothing more refreshing than chilled, fresh salads and this occasion we had the marvellous Beetroot, Walnut and Orange number that pings brilliantly on the palate, as well as colourful Cous Cous salad and a beautiful Chick Pea and Rice concoction that was laden with fresh herbs to excite the taste buds.
Stunning Pea Hummus came out with plenty of warm flatbread to scoop it up with and we used the dense Rye Bread to soak up every last scrap of the delicious sauce that the rich, spice-laden Meatballs were bathed in – the Meatballs are The Man’s fave dish.
More flatbread comes with the baked Brie as well, and this was a huge hit with the entire group – even Fledge, which surprised me. Fledge caught us all off-guard by scoffing most of the Courgette Flatbread; not that we could fault her very good taste, it is mouth-wateringly good and very moreish. It really is the simplest things sometimes that grab your attention. Mummy Bird and I dug into the gorgeous round Falafels and I have to say that Jacqui makes the most glorious versions in the ‘hood; they’re not dry or claggy and, to say that they’re fried, they aren’t greasy or oily either.
I defy anyone not to fall under the spell of the Chicken Schwarma; if you like Chicken and you like spices (not lip-tingling ones) then these minxes will be your new food addiction! Underneath a Chargrilled coating hides the juiciest Chicken you could ever want to savour, and you get a good-sized portion for your £9 too.
All of the Mezze at Olive Moroccan restaurant are priced £8 or £9 (even the small portion of Tagines), and the large sharing Tagines are only priced £13-£15 (depending on which one you choose) and a Trio of Salads comes in at £15 and the huge platter easily serves a table of four.
If you can’t make it along to the restaurant itself, you don’t have to miss out; Jacqui offers a menu to warm up at home for £38 for two people or double up for £70 and impress your friends. Give Jacqui a call on 07864 953341 to order or to book a dine-in table..... and put the number in speed-dial, cos it won’t be the only time you use it!
Hotter-than-Hot Wings given to this beautiful lady and her food that she really does pour her heart and soul into!!
Read our previous review of Olive Moroccan, Belper
