The Olive Branch

The food was good but the serve actually sucked. I joined my friends for our private Christmas party and ordered a drink and the server took 20 mins then never check back on us we have to keep looking for him. Then had to find him again to order our food my food came out before drink finally waiting on the check and a box to go took a half hour to make it worse no one was hardly there like 6 other people make no sense guest we gotta find a new spot for our private parties every month.

So me and three others, so here’s the truth. It took us about ten minutes to get our waiter to come over. (New girl so we were gentle about the time laps) so after waiting we hear hey, there isn’t a regular drink menu that’s fine but then it took her time to get the drink menus. That’s okay I understand working at two restaurants before on a early Saturday okay its cool. I get it.
But after we ordered and waiting forever for our fourth person. Here is where it went wrong
Before they left she didn’t get the menus. Now we already order our food. So that’s that.
They didn’t clear away the plates and empty dishes. (So we’re trying not to knock them over on a small table with four ppl)
Next we all ordered together. Only two plates came out. (Slightly normal) but then the third plate was wrong. The fourth was also wrong. Ordered seafood fetta with chicken. Just got chicken fetta.
Now. The room was nice perfect for a small gathering, warm setting. Drinks was amazing.
Over all 3 stars. PS. The crab shrimp penne was amazing (plz add salt and pepper)

2^nd time around — the waitress took away some of the experience and my husband by some crazy thought that sitting at the first table near the door was smart (not dumb move) I had the 1^st time but I still have 4 stars because the food was still exceptional — the waitress was not attentive and has to go back several times because she forgot something — if I actually have to scold you like a child about listening — I’m pissed off — I really wanted to leave 3 stars but again the food the food the food — the atmosphere/​décor can use a face lift — the bathroom is small but you get that authentic feeling because the restaurant is aged — just my thoughts 2^nd time around —

I have rated this place before and was decent customer until tonight the waiter was amazing and this is nothing against Robert however everyone else there was horrible. The hostess and other waiters whose conversation was so loud that I could tell every detail if I chose to from who is sexy to the cussing that I clearly heard as I ate. So needless to say I was ready to leave however poor Robert left so I went to the hostess who was doing nothing and handed her the money which I have done at least the last 5 times I’ve been there and there was never a problem before but tonight it was and then to hear the staff talking about me as I left was just the icing on the cake of this service nightmare. I will never spend another dollar in this place again. And Robert your tip on the table hopefully you got it. From now on I will make sure to let everyone that will listen know how horrible this place is.

I ordered the sampler platter — crab cake didn’t have a lot of filling, the scallops were tasty, as scallops usually are, the shrimp was not overcooked which is a must.
The breadsticks I didn’t care for much, same with the salad that comes with it.
Overall, not a terrible place for seafood in Maryland, especially if you’re in the area and don’t have a lot of transportation at your disposal, but there are much better places to check out.

This go around I went into have an after work dinner with a co-​worker and the food was even tastier eating in this clean, welcoming establishment. Our server was great and gave us tons of fresh, yummy breadsticks to take home because I don’t eat bread after 2p (well I was actually disciplined to not do such that day). The crab cake was filling, the salad super fresh and my co-​worker loved her cream of crab soup. They have a lot of food options and I will be back to try the steak.

Olive Branch «was» truly a favorite. Crab cakes «were» very good. They were made with beautiful pieces of lump crab, seasoned well, and very little breading. Service «was» great! It «was» completed in a timely and orderly manner. If I ordered from the «Take out area», the food «was» just as beautiful as if I were seated in the restaurant. It did not look as if someone’s finger played with it before placing the items in the bag. Also, I do not recall having lemon (or lime) seeds in the meal. Disappointed, yes because it was not just one or two «hiccups». I must say, with all that was shared, the manager was apologetic and accommodating however, even he said he would not ask «a third time» to correct a mistake. Sadly, that was my last day.

The Olive Branch is unassumingly great. It doesn’t look that nice on the outside or even on the inside, but the moment you take a bite of the delicious italian food, you will be experiencing «happy belly.» My favorite thing to get here is the crab cake, which many people have compared to G&M’s of Baltimore. It is lump crab and so filling that you could probably just have one for dinner. Personally, I like to share an eggplant parmesan with someone and get a crabcake as well. The salad is delicious and so are the breadsticks. This is the kind of meal you want after a long day at work or just if you’re looking for some comfort food. My boyfriend recently got takeout from there for us and we just went to town!

When one is trying to decide where to eat out you should consider this place. Unlimited bread and Salad which taste very good if you don’t want to eat it don’t eat it why complain IDIOTS. Many people bring their families here its more personal than the chain olive gardewn and that Chiken Chesapeake sandwich witht he crab cake on top nowhere in Baltimore No place at all sells a better sandwich then thirs so for the liars who dare say that the crab cake is terrible go and shoot yourself. The food here is really good and I will continue to dine here for the IDIOTS out there is something may have happended that you thought could use fixing tellt hem idiots servers are not mind readers and cannot tell whats going on is some of your thick skulls.
The food is good not gourmet your not paying gourmet prices. The place is truly one of the best places to it in Pikesville area

My family and I went to this restaurant yesterday to celebrate my sons birthday. I gave 3 stars ONLY because the food was great! The service was HORRIBLE!!! The waiter had so many tables in so many sections he couldn’t keep up! We waited atleast 15 minutes to get bread and salad, then couldn’t eat it because we didn’t have any plates. We waited and waited to the point my husband had to get up from the table to hunt the waiter down, for him to make a gesture as what do you want, so he yells across the restaurant «can we have some plates?» So he brings us plates, one was obviously dirty, he takes that plate back and brings us new bread because now it’s cold and a fresh plate. He took our entire order and we never seen him again until it was time to pay. Oh and my husband ended up getting his cup of cream of crab soup with his main course when it was ordered as an appetizer!
Needless to say. Until they get a whole new staff, I will never drop another dime into this place and I will be spreading the word!

If you’re craving a Crabcake this is the place to go! Crab cakes are fairly big and worth the price!

Update: Called the owner to tell them about the terrible service and food. The hostess told me that, «the owner does not talk to customers».
So a recap
Crab cakes tasted like crab flavored bread pudding.
Soup was broken with a red oil on top.
Charged me for a salad I did not order, even though it should have come free with my entrée.
Manager asked if my party «could read». Thanks Irving (the manager)
I will not go back for ANY reason.

This place is HORRIBLE! Came here for dinner with my son and they messed up my salad twice. Then when the finally brought the correct salad it had a lady bug crawling in it! DISGUSTING HORRIBLE PLACE

This place was a recommendation from the front desk at the doubletree by Hilton which was very convenient as it was literally across the street. The food was phenomenal and everyone’s food came out perfect. The only reason I give it 4 stars is because it took our food so long. The restaurant was Simi empty. But overall, everything else was great. The ambiance was modern yet casual.

There are people who like The Olive Branch and people who very much don’t. I think I’ve yet to find someone in the middle. I am of the group of people who really like it here! I think this is because I take it for what it is and know exactly what to expect. If you come here looking for authentic Italian or fine dining, you will be sorely disappointed. (Spoiler alert: it’s next to a Ramada.) If you want hearty food, big portions, and to support a local establishment that ultimately is comparable to The Olive Garden, this is your place.
The Olive Branch is a personal favorite for my family. We have been here more times than I can count! Aside from good food, big portions, and good prices, this is for two reasons. First of all, the space is big. When our family gets together for dinner there are 11 of us, and finding a restaurant at peak dinner hours on a weekend that can seat us comfortably can sometimes be a challenge. This means it’s also a great spot for birthday parties. You probably won’t get your own room or anything, but they generally utilize the tables in the very back of the restaurant for that. The second reason why we come here a lot is because my grandma is basically obsessed with the veal parmesan. I have noticed that members of the local senior citizen community seem to really like it here…
The fettucini alfredo is very creamy and (usually) not very oily. That’s the key to alfredo sauce for me — creamy without seeing puddles of oil. The salad and breadsticks are unlimited and very reminiscent of The Olive Garden (but no complaints there). And the customer service has always been top notch! Throughout the years their team has always been patient with us, through it all — young kids running around, indecisive adults, grandparents with strong accents, surprise parties, etc. And they always bring out an adorable dessert for birthdays. For my grandma’s birthday a few years ago they wrote «Happy 21^st!» on her plate, which basically made everyone’s night.
Come here ready to load up on Americanized Italian food with half of Pikesville. If you keep it real, you’ll probably have a great night!

Bread: delicious
Salad: yummy
Food: good
Portion size: revolting
Between the two dinners we ordered a family of six could have eaten for a week. And the sad part was that we were staying in a hotel and couldn’t take any leftovers. If you go, go hungry and be prepared to take a lot home.

The restaurant is cozy. My mother and I were seated in record time without a reservation. Or initial waiter had a huge party but once another young lady, Shamika, saw we were waiting, she came up and served us voluntarily with the biggest smile on her face!!! Wonderful server and the food was outstanding!!! Thank you Shamika!!!

Chicken and shrimp piccata was great. Wonderful lemon and capers flavor. Ask for Parmesan cheese to sprinkle. Portions are huge. We will definitely be back. Pasta is made in house.

The food is so good, the chefs definitely do a great job. I currently work here and I’m not trying to be bias, but we try to serve to the best of our ability. We want costumers to feel appreciated and welcomed. We are a very clean and well organized restaurant. It’s a pleasure working here.

Salad was fresh, tasty, and plentiful. Bread sticks were good. I had chicken parm, which was served with linguini. Sauce was slightly sweet. Overall I liked it. He had lasagna which he says «wasn’t bad.» Didnt look very gd to me as the meat in it was in big chunks and a bit too light in color for beef.
Service was good but a bit slow getting the check. Bill was $ 25 for the 2 of us and we each have enough leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Not a spectacular place but we enjoyed n will return.