Olives

General Manager Kevin Taylor describes the food at Olives as "innovative Italian". Taking a quick glance at the menu, it's hard to see what is so innovative about it. While Italian fare lends itself quite easily to gourmet cooking, it generally follows a stringent formula – some antipastos, followed by pastas and then a few mains, usually cuts of meat and fresh fish. Olives does not stray from this formula, but yet it can still easily be described as 'innovative'.



There is one reason for this (or three): location, location, location. Olives is only a quick two block stroll away from the Pengrowth Saddledome and right across the street from Stampede Casino. On top of that, it opened during the Stampede. At first this seems like a recipe for disaster. Why would hundreds of rodeo fans in cowboy hats and plaid shirts want to dine on Grilled Squid or Potato Herb Gnocchi? But the question has been deemed moot. In the 22 days since the restaurant has been open, Taylor says, the response has been great. Even since the Stampede ended, the demand has not diminished.