Ahead of my little impromptu visit to Istanbul (following which we should have details agreed on an exciting new development for Lunchquest!), I tootled down to Broughton Street, to pick up some essentials for my trip. Whilst there, I took the opportunity to call in to the Olive Branch Coffee & Sandwich Shop, which aside from anything else, wins the prize for the longest named place we’ve visited, I think.
Exterior
I must admit to never having noticed that the Olive Branch Bistro had pupped a little takeaway, next door, but apparently it’s been there for around 18 months. It was quiet when I entered, so was quickly served.
Soup of the day was tomato and basil. I hoped it would be warmer than yesterday’s! I chose of roll to accompany it, opting for a salami, hummus, peppers and courgette roll, which sounded both tasty and healthy. I had just visited Real Foods, further up Broughton Street, so was still feeling a little tainted by their saintliness.
Having unfussily promenaded back to the office, I unpacked my biodegradable packages to reveal my lunchtime treats.
Soup and roll
The soup was indeed warmer than yesterday’s, and it tasted a little better, as well. It wasn’t the most outstanding thing I’ve ever eaten, but it did the job very competently.
The sandwich was good, but lacked zip. Each element was fine, but nothing really brought things together. The chap behind the counter did offer to toast it for me, so maybe some heat through it would have turned the hummus into some sort of unctuous unifying factor, but I think that might be a bit of a reach.
So overall, the Olive Branch Coffee & Sandwich Shop was good, but not great. It didn’t offer anything that stood out, particularly. Given the company it keeps, with a number of really good places nearby, I think it will struggle to maintain an audience, without a major injection of pizzazz.
Roll interior
Scores
Blythe scores the Olive Branch Coffee & Sandwich Shop
3/5 for food
3/5 for presentation
3/5 for service
3/5 for setting
giving an overall 12/20
Today’s lunch quester was: Blythe
I ate: tomato and basil soup; hummus, salami, peppers and courgette roll
I drank: nothing
I wore: new lilac shirt
Total bill: £4.50
