I spent some time in my early 20’s doing delivery driving for a local restaurant, Thai Amarin in Erindale. I had spent the previous few years starting uni, dropping out of uni, waitressing and staunchly declaring I would amount to more than wasting away in a government job. It’s not without a hint of irony that I can let you know I took a day of annual leave from my (happily 10+ years tenured) APS job to undertake this review, and in coming full circle Canberra style, the owners are the same Sam and Sue that owned the Thai Amarin all those years ago.

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I had actually visited The Blue Olive once before while on training in a nearby office. I remember being given a voucher for a sandwich and not being all that excited by the prospect of what was handed over. Luckily for me (and you!), Sam and Sue came out of retirement to take over The Blue Olive on 1 July 2013, and it was one of their amazing chicken burgers that I had while on maternity leave that led to this review.

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The Blue Olive is located on busy Alinga Street in the city, tucked in between a pub and a pizzeria. It features both indoor and outdoor dining, and my husband and I were lucky enough to visit on one of those few Autumn days where the sun is out just enough to warm you without leaving you clammy. Whilst I haven’t dined inside, the outdoor area is well sheltered by umbrellas and the wooden tables are a good enough size that you can fit two people and their elbows without being uncomfortably close to your dining partners mouth.

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My husband initially selected the Club Sandwich served w/chips ($17.50), but took up the server’s advice and switched out to the special Club Pancetta – grilled pancetta and chicken, sliced avocado, tomato, mesclun lettuce with basil pesto and mayo, served with Blue Olive fries (sprinkled with their own secret herbs and spices) for the same price.

I decided to try a sandwich, as I had already tried my hand at their burgers (seriously, do yourself a favour and try one – they produced the first chicken burger I ever had that didn’t make my teeth stick together due to tacky dry chicken) and I went with the Rappa (poached chicken, bacon, avocado, swiss cheese and mayonnaise) on white sourdough, $10.90.

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My husband reported (he is also new to this reviewing business and didn’t save any for me to try myself!) that he was a big fan of the burger. He found the fries to be a bit salty, but I didn’t have any issue in the three I managed to snag before he realised what I was doing, and I’m personally a big fan of chunkier seasoning rather than fine powdered artificial flavouring. As an observer, I found it to be the perfect size for picking up and eating without being comically oversized and spilling on first bite.

I was also a big fan of my sandwich. All of the bread used at The Blue Olive comes from The Flute Bakery, and the produce is sourced fresh locally, which should ensure The Blue Olive earns and maintains a reputation for their sandwiches. The poached chicken was thinly sliced and there wasn’t too much mayo (I’m not a big fan of saucy sandwiches), and I found the bread to be soft and not too sour.

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I’d ordered a coffee when we first sat down and because I’m still a learner coffee drinker, I was very pleased that the Mocha ($4.50) wasn’t too bitter, didn’t taste burnt and also wasn’t too chocolatey. It turns out that The Blue Olive uses Black Mountain Coffee blend, freshly roasted in Fyshwick, so I’m going to do a bit of a scout around to determine where else it is served.

After our empty plate and board were whisked away, I jumped back up the step and in to the storefront to check out the dessert cabinet. Almost half of the options were gluten free, and while it isn’t something that affects me personally, I’m sure that such a wide variety of options is a welcome sight to those with gluten intolerance or sensitivities.

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We decided on the Apple and Rhubarb Crumble ($5.50) on our server’s recommendation, as well as the Caramel, Hazelnut and Chocolate slice ($5.50), and a cappuccino ($3.50) for my husband. The crumble was suitably named and lovely and warm in the middle. Although it hadn’t been advertised as such, this was also one of the gluten free desserts, which was a pleasant surprise in that it still tasted ‘normal’. The slice was dense, rich and sweet, and could probably be served in a smaller slice, or cut in two. My husband was also very happy with his coffee.

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Overall, we really enjoyed lunch at The Blue Olive and have decided to try and do it more often. We were able to get a park quite easily at the multistorey nearby, and my husband was back at his office less than an hour after he left. We found the service to be friendly and very efficient, and when we compared it to a few lunches we’d had in the city earlier this year, we thought the food was of a better quality, served friendlier and very reasonably priced. If you don’t get a chance to get out there for lunch, they also do a lot of workplace catering and have a page full of breakfast options. I just wish they were open weekends too!

The essentials

The place: The Blue Olive (coffee – cafe – catering)
Where: 56 Alinga Street Canberra City
When: Monday – Friday, 7am- 3pm
Food: Sandwiches, Burgers, Salads, Breakfast, Muffins, Cakes & Slices
Drinks: Coffee, Tea, Soft Drink, Juices, Smoothies, Shakes and Spiders
Phone: Call 6230 4600
Web: www.blueolivecafe.com.au or facebook.com/TheBlueOliveCafe