OleanaConsistently good.Hands down my favorite restaurant in the Boston area.5/14/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, friendly service!We came in with a group of 6 and a reservation. We ordered a number of difference mezzes, all of which were delicious. The highlights were the asparagus fatteh, bread and cheese dumplings, and spinach falafel.
Service was a bit slow, but very friendly. Even though the restaurant began to get very full, the meal never felt rushed. This is definitely a place for sitting and enjoying a long (2 hour) meal.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMEpicurian's delightSome of the best food in the whole Boston area! Every bite was a treasure.5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious as alwaysOleana is excellent every time I have gone.
The flavors of the food are amazing. There is nothing that I didn't like. We had the Meze plates. Highly recommend the bread and cheese dumplings, the Sultan's Delight, the grilled octopus and the spinach falafel. We also ordered an appetizer special, Grilled Shrimp in a vegetable/tomato stew. Fabulous.
The flavors are wonderful and all work.
Eat here!5/13/2013 12:00:00 AMTaste Bud HeavenThe chef needs to be applauded! The mixture of flavors and ingredients is amazing - truly amazing. I would have never thought to mix certain ingredients but they do it with style, mouth watering flavor explosions and amazing presentation. Can't wait to go back.5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOverall good diningFirst time at this well known and popular dining spot. Did not disappoint in food department service a bit perfunctory but efficient and well informed. Was packed by about 6:30 pm and only time we cld get for two was 5:45 pm. But early for sat nite but fit our schedule fine. Wld like to return in summer to dine bob their lovely back patio.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOrleana delivers!!So scrumptious, savory, and satisfying! Orleana lived up to all our expectations!! Worth the trip from Boston to the other side of the river!!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOleana is Simply Outstanding!Had res. for 9, arrived at 8:30 and was greeted cheerily and seated promptly! We were ordering 6-7 Meze and then share dinner but were smoothly told that would be an "enormous amount of food!" (First timers!) Waiter helped hone down to 4... the Snap Pea and Bulgur special Meze was absolutely outstanding. Spinach falafel had uniquely smooth interior and crunchy exterior. Warm buttered hummus yummy as was Octopus carpaccio. Meze were brought out in pairs so we could savor each plate at it's correct temp. Shared the nights special softshell crab dinner. Perfectly crisp crab matched with nicely grilled asparagus. We have healthy appetites and were delighted with our choices. Just enough room for Baked Alaska dessert which is a MUST try!!5/9/2013 12:00:00 AMOleana wows againOleana never fails to deliver extraordinary food. Our server was delightful and each bite that came out was more spectacular than the last. This was my fifth time, and I was there with my parents (their first time) to celebrate their anniversary - they loved it!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMlove it.
Servers are so welllove it.
Servers are so well informed with the menu and product knowledge.
The food is delicious.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMLittle in Space, Big in FlavorWent there for a birthday dinner for me and my girlfriend. We had a wonderful time. It is a very cramped space. The food was amazing. We had the grilled octopus appetizer. The beer list is a very eclectic grouping of microbrews from across the country. They use all organic fresh vegetables from local growers. I had one of the specials , a grilled kabob with cherries on a bed of jasmine rice and a yogurt sauce. My girlfriend had a delicious pork roll. We had an amazing night. The restaurant is little in space but they make up for it in great big flavor .5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect place for special occasionI selected Oleana for a special occasion, and as a first time visitor - it really lived up to its reputation! We were a party of 4, and we ordered 4 small plates and 2 entrees to share. We were satisfied and full, but still wanted dessert...so we ordered that too. ; ) We split the Baked Alaska...a bit too sweet for me, but the others really enjoyed it.
The food standouts of the night were the spinach falafels, Sultan's Delight, the lemon chicken entree, and they had a special lamb entree that night that was basically a long pressed lamb meatball - Very delicious! Service was outstanding, and very attentive to questions, clearing dishes, and bringing fresh silverware as needed.
I would definitely go back again!5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAmazingHave been hearing great things about this place for years. Finally managed to get a reservation for 6 and it was a wonderful night. Whole group loved everything we got. One of my best meals in Boston for the price!4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMFood always exotic with aFood always exotic with a wonderful mixture of tastes. Parking can be difficult and noise level is high. But that can be eliminated if you sit atthebar.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMI am always one to go forI am always one to go for appetizers, believing they are more reliable than entree's
and less likely to be cluttered with too many ideas. And if it's a miss, it is just an appetizer. Oleana is the exception, the
entree's had a greater clarity of ideas and flavors. Also do not miss the deserts- particularly the nougat with passion fruit. wow.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMEvery dish sparkled with richEvery dish sparkled with rich flavors, sometimes in unusual but appealing combinations. Service was attentive but not intrusive.
I look forward to eating at Oleana again whenever I am in the Boston area.
Too bad they don't do lunch.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMVery interesting and deliciousVery interesting and delicious foods. I recommend tying a number of mezes and sharing. This allows you to sample widely the diverse flavor pairings.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMMediterranean Gem!I loved everything about this restaurant except how close you were to your neighbors, but it was a small sacrifice for how unbelievably delicious the food was and how wonderful the services was.
It was my boyfriend's birthday and he is Turkish, so I wanted to give him a little taste of home. He was surprised and how many real Turkish food was on the menu and pleased with the way they fused all of the Mediterranean cuisines together. Really an unforgettable experience!4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMVery intriguing and deliciousVery intriguing and delicious food delivered in an unfussy but attractive fashion. My husband raved about the octopus and sardine mezes and the vegetarian tasting menu for me was fantastic. The only very slight downside is that the restaurant is not very near the T ....about a fifteen minute walk for slow walkers from Central Square.!4/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBeen here 4 times, alwaysBeen here 4 times, always EXCELLENT, great food, great service.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMIt took us two months of waitingIt took us two months of waiting for winter to pass (this band of three from RI were thwarted by snow twice) and another two month to get in on a Saturday night but it was so worth the wait. My Turkish friend guided the three of us through the wonderful offerings and we could not have been more satisfied with the service, cuisine, and wine choice. The grilled octopus was unexpectedly tasty as was the duck which to my taste was done perfectly. The smoked eggplant humus and the falafel were the highlights - they were rich without being heavy. Oh wait! There was that rhubarb dessert that almost made me tear up. The Turkish coffee was also a wonderful and tasty surprise. It was a wonderful dining experience.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMA delightful take on MiddleA delightful take on Middle Eastern Food - extremely flavorful taste combinations and excellent presentation. All capped off by outstanding, friendly service. HIghly recommend this dining experience.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMIt's hard to exaggerate howIt's hard to exaggerate how wonderful the food at Ana Sortun's respected eatery in Cambridge is. From the fried mussels to the striped bass to the turkish profiteroles, the richness and flavor of the food is astounding. Worth a long trip out of your way to eat here.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMVery attentive service, vibrantVery attentive service, vibrant atmosphere and tasty plates. Hard to go wrong at this restaurant!4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMEnjoyable Evening with FriendsI was running late and anxious as to whether I would be seated. I knew that it is hard to get reservations and didn't want to jeopardize being seated. I was greeted with a smile and told that everything was fine. I enjoyed the food so much that I never really paid much attention to my surroundings except for my immediate area. Comfortable. Our wait staff was quite helpful, and friendly. The food was quite delicious. I had never tasted much of what I had to eat. Definitely would recommend to my friends - and anyone else who would listen.
Helen F. Ray4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous!This restaurant brings me closer to knowing why someone would become a foodie.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is always at the topThis is always at the top of if not number one on our list of eats in Boston. The food combinations and use of spices, vegetables makes every bite an experience to savor for a long time. The memory always lasts and we want to rush back. One needs to plan in advance because it is so popular. We have been coming here for years and have never had any meal that is ever short of 5 stars.
There is a nice energy level here with the staff and patrons. The coffees could be a little bigger.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMOur group of 4 ordered a wideOur group of 4 ordered a wide range of mostly small plates. Wonderfully diverse flavors. Service was attentive without being overbearing. Great evening!4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything about this restaurantEverything about this restaurant is terrific. The flavors are intense, wonderful and very unique. The ability to experience so many different flavors by having a variety of meze is particularly nice. Desserts are also excellent and quite unusual. Plus they have a super beer selection.
Our server was just great--full of knowledge, warmth, and humor.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food at Oleana is amazing!The food at Oleana is amazing! I had a friend who had been recommending it and we finally got a chane to go! Out waitress suggested that we order some mezzes and split them. It was perfect. I felt satisfied but not uncomfortable and we still had food left to take home. The food itself was incredible. Great flavors and textures in att the dishes. There was also live middle eastern music to set the vibe. After going I'm not suprised that we couldn't get a reservation before 8. Definitely a good spot. Just make sure you make a reservationa number of days in advance.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMNailed it!First time at oleana and it was outstanding! Thank you to everyone who works in the kitchen for the flawless food!4/8/2013 12:00:00 AMThis is my favorite restaurantThis is my favorite restaurant in greater Boston. The grilled seafood with chorizo was especially delicious - the octopus was perfectly prepared - smooth and unctious, not chewy. The only "ding" is that the pacing felt rushed. Otherwise, Oleana continues to exceed expectations.4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous dining experience!Fabulous dining experience! Each bite is better than the one before. Perfect for a special occasion.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMOleana's food is outstandingOleana's food is outstanding and so is the service. Try the meze to get a variety of unusual tastes. The restaurant can be noisy, but we were seated at an isolated table near the bar, which was quiet and romantic.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOleana is my favorite restaurantOleana is my favorite restaurant in Boston. The food is always vibrantly flavorful, often with surprising combinations. I love ordering a bunch of mezes for the table so I can try a few bites of lots of different dishes. The falafel is to die for--rich and buttery with some tartness and nuttiness from the toppings. They've recently changed the menu, and I really enjoyed the cheese saganaki which came with roasted endive and cumquats. The chopped salad is simple and delicious. The sultan's delight (tamarind beef with smoked eggplant) was a hit. I could go on and on...4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMAs vegetarians we sometimesAs vegetarians we sometimes have difficulty finding interesting menus and here we found great options and cozy ambiance. First time coming, and i've already recommended it to 3 friends. Parking across the street great for us suburbanites4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my second visit toThis was my second visit to Oleana's, but it was as if I was experiencing the food, service, & flavors for the first time. I was amazed. My initial visit I had opted for the traditional shared appetizer and dessert with individual entree. Amazing. This time the party of 4 opted for the Meze platters. Dishes were perfectly delivered as not to overwhelm or to feel as though you were going w/out a new flavor to experience. Each dish was completely unique but not over flavored. The spinach falafel, saffron soup & dumplings, the bulgur & veggie special, and the musaka all stand out! Nothing disappointed to include the hot tea. I wish we had only had room for dessert, not possible after ordering 2 Meze dishes per person!4/1/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was impeccable, withFood was impeccable, with complex and beautiful flavor combinations. Wonderful ambiance. Service was attentive without being overbearing. Very enjoyable evening.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food could not have beenThe food could not have been better. Can't wait to be back3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMJust keeps getting better!On a recent visit I had the best of many meals enjoyed there through the years. The lamb manti might be my favorite of all their amazing and inventive starters and the trout "spanikopita" was perfect--a fantastic mix of flavors enhancing beautifully fresh and tasty fish. And the nougat glace remains an eye-opening and mouth-watering treat. For the level of cuisine, the prices are entirely reasonable. I will not soon forget this meal and, as always, look forward to the next time.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe absolutely loved OleanaWe absolutely loved Oleana and it was our more pleasant experience at a restaurant in Boston. The server was very nice and helpful and all the mezes were superb. Our favorite was the Sultan's Delight which was heavenly but also the quail and the cheeses. If we lived around the corner, we would be there every week !3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMOleana is simply the best.Oleana is simply the best. The menu is extensive, with appealing options for everyone.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMA special placeOutstanding for a special meal. Food complex and delicious. Service warmly efficient, with knowledgeable waitstaff.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAll the food was really good! AndAll the food was really good!
And we got great help from the waiter, as we were not familiar with most of the items on the menu.3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMAt last, a restaurant thatAt last, a restaurant that lives up to (and surpasses) the hype. Duck was on the menu the night we were there. It was the best I've ever had, and I eat duck whenever I find it. The scallops were done perfectly and the Mediterranean spices made it special. The service was attentive without being rushed. We'll be back.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMHands down, the best restaurantHands down, the best restaurant I have ever been. The complexity, textures and flavors of each dish were phenomenal. My only suggestion would be to offer more interesting wines by the glass. A must experience for anyone who considers himself a serious foodie.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI have been looking for aI have been looking for a really great middle eastern restaurant in the Boston area for a while. Jaffa is pretty good, with a standard menu, and is fairly cheap. However Oleana is now definitely my go-to if I want excellent food, with a great atmosphere. It's a bit more pricey, but it doesn't have to be if you just get wine, a few Meze and dessert. It's like middle eastern tapas! I recommend the bread and cheese dumplings, spinach falafel, and whipped feta. For dessert, the carrot creme brûlée with carrot macarons was amazing!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMquality of food was great.quality of food was great. interesting type of food, not found in other restaurants.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the variety of foodLoved the variety of food choices and how easy it was to share with my family. Deeply appreciated that we did not need to shout to hear and be heard. Wait staff were helpful and easy to talk to - answered questions about the menu, ingredients, food preparation. Food was delicious.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMthe food is delicious, inventive,the food is delicious, inventive, and beautifully presented3/20/2013 12:00:00 AM