The Wild Olive Tree is a social enterprise that creates training placements for those who want to develop skills. The enterprise puts any profit back into the local community to help Glasgow's most vulnerable people. It also operates a pay it forward type scheme - what this means is that you can buy an extra coffee, scone or soup with your meal which will then be offered to someone who is unable to pay for it. I was advised that the cafe has its regulars who come in to avail of the prepaid food however, if you pay for a meal they will provide you with a card that you can hand to someone who you think would appreciate a prepaid meal.
The Wild Olive Tree is quite unique in that it is located in the sanctuary of St George's Tron Church of Scotland. At certain time during the week people gather here to worship.
Food
As I was only refuelling after a big breakfast I just went for the soup. There are four soup options, four different types of scones and three variety of cakes to choose from everyday. I decided to go for the lentil soup with some brown bread (you can also have a scone with your soup). The soup was very tasty and very filling! I liked the consistency of the soup, it was nice and thick but not in the baby food way - it was still more liquid that pureed veg! It certainly warmed me up on a cold and chilly day. Food Rating:- 5/5.
Service
The service was very quick and efficient! Even though we went in at lunch time, we got a seat - just outside of the main cafe area in the sanctuary. Once seated the waitress was over to leave a jug of water on the table (which of course made me very happy) and to take our order. You don't really need a lot of time to mull over the menu. Our food came out very quickly - maybe too quickly but I'm sure if I was on my lunch break from work I would have wanted it to come out as quick as possible. Service Rating:- 5/5.
Atmosphere
The place is very bright and clean - it has quite a minimalist vibe but I'm guessing any other sort of interior would clash with the sanctuary. As I said it is very calm and peaceful in here. Some part of me does find it strange that the cafe and the sanctuary are so close but I actually think it works. Atmosphere Rating:- 4/5.
Price
The soup (along with all the other options on the menu) was very reasonably priced. The price of the soup was £3.50. Price Rating:- 5/5.
Last Words
This place is definitely worth a visit for either just a coffee, scone and/or soup. It is certainly a nice calm reprieve from the hustle and bustle of Buchanan Street. Total Rating:- 19/20.
Restaurant Details:-
The Wild Olive Tree,
St George's Tron Church of Scotland,
163 Buchanan Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2JX.
Website:- http://www.wildolivetree.co.uk/
Phone:- 0141 229 5746.
Date visited: Wednesday, 6 January 2016.
Thanks for reading.
Emma mai x
yum, you look like a foodie like me. Even I like all sorts of soups but my personal favorite are soups which are a complete meal and a creamy and heavy consistency. This looks so great.
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