There's something fabulously fresh and positive about Olly, Olive's All Day Cafe in Gurgaon. Olly, pegged as a neighbourhood cafe, is a recent entrant to Cyber Hub's eclectic array of restaurants and pubs. The space originally belonged to another Olive group restaurant and the team has taken its time arriving at a whole new concept from scratch. "We've spent over a year working on creating Olly. It's young, fresh and delicious, and brings a vibe with a menu that's inspired by Australian cafes," shared AD Singh, MD, Olive Group of restaurants. It's true, Olly is that kind of place that tempts you to walk in with a book to enjoy over a good cup of coffee, and walk out with a belly full of good, hearty food.
(Also Read:These Insta-Worthy Cafes In Delhi Are A Visual Treat)
The Menu
The menu at Olly is fairly vast and most people in the group would find something they would like to order. But, there's another thing that stood out for me about Olly's menu. There is absolutely nothing pretentious about its food. Its great-tasting, soul-satisfying, feels-good-in-your-tummy kind of food you would enjoy over a relaxed meal with friends. So, often these days, you find new restaurants going rah-rah over new 'trends' and 'instagrammable food' so much so that flavours and taste take a back seat. Happy to report that's not the case here. Of course, the dishes look pretty, but they taste even better.
The menu at Olly is fairly vast and most people in the group would find something they would like to order.
Olly's menu has been designed and developed by Jyotika Malik, a restaurant veteran who only recently shifted back to the country after over 15 years of curating menus and setting up culinary schools in places like Switzerland and Dubai. Her international experience is clearly visible in the way the menu is designed. "The idea was to create a menu that allows guests to find their own palate, one that encourages discovery," says Chef Malik.
Here Are The 5 Recommended Dishes From Olly:
1. Vietnamese Spring Rolls (Called Out Of Vietnam On The Menu)
When made well, a Vietnamese fresh roll is a perfect summer snack. Full of flavour and crunch, these rolls are a perfect replacement to bland salads, if you ask me! This vegetarian starter is served with a choice of three sauces, and you must try all of them. The rolls were super crunchy and wrapped in thin rice paper for a wonderfully fresh taste and texture.
(Also Read:5 Salad Restaurants In Delhi-NCR You Must Try)
Full of flavour and crunch, these rolls are a perfect replacement to bland salads.
2. Fish Cakes
A good Thai Fish Cake (or a Tod Mun Pla as it is called in Thailand) is one that has perfectly nuanced flavours of kaffir lime leaves coming through. Chef Malik and her team do a great job of making these at Olly. I must admit though that I am a huge Thai Fish Cake fan, but despite that little bit of a bias in favour of the dish, what is served at Olly is far superior to what usually gets passed around under the same name. This came with a fresh cucumber and carrot dip, which works well with the appetiser.
A good Thai Fish Cake is one that has perfectly nuanced flavours of kaffir lime leaves coming through.
3. Prawns Pil Pil
Prawns Pil Pil (or Gambas Al Pil Pil) is a classic Mediterranean tapas dish where prawns are cooked in hot olive oil with lots of red chilli and garlic. It is served in the same pot, along with a piece of crusty bread to lap up the delicious juices. Olly's Prawns Pil Pil is a winner all the way and a must try.
Prawns Pil Pil is served in the same pot along with a piece of crusty bread to lap up the delicious juices.
4. Grilled Cheese
For lovers of cheese, this is a dish made in heaven. It is a little heavy on your tummy, so order it only if you have a big appetite that day or have a large group to share it with. For both those occasions, this makes for a great add-on dish when you are ordering lighter mains or plan to stay for longer.
Grilled cheese makes for a great add-on dish when you are ordering lighter mains.
5. Korean Chicken Bowl
Bowl meals are being tried, served and tasted across the globe, and so it comes as no surprise that Olly has its own set of bowl meals as well. The Donburi Bowl, which has pork belly, shiitake mushrooms and pak choy served with sticky rice is exceptional. If you are a fan of Korean flavours, then try the Korean Fried Chicken Bowl, which is served with five accompaniments - kimchi, crunchy noodles, purple cabbage, sunny side up and Gochujang - a type of chili-based condiment in Korean cuisine.
Bowl meals are being tried, served and tasted across the globe.
(Also Read:5 Amazing Reasons to Add Mushrooms to Your Daily Meals)
A special word for just how well Olly has been designed. It's a happy place you want to run to in the middle of the week for some respite between meetings and presentations. It has a lovely vibe that works well, both as a coffee pit-stop or a catch-up place for friends. While the menu is definitely the star at Olly, the dishes wouldn't taste so good if the ambience wasn't this fresh itself.
Guppy is a happy place you want to run to in the middle of the week for some respite between meetings and prese
Where: Shop 101, First Floor, Cyber Hub, DLF Tower 8th Rd, DLF Cyber City Phase II, Sector 24, Gurugram, Haryana - 122008
Contact: 01246518803
Timings: 11:30 am - 12:00 am
Meal For Two: INR 1500 (plus taxes)
Facebook: @ollygurgaon
Instagram: @weareolly