Reader Manny Tries Out 'Olga's On Smith' On Opening Night

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Olga's Barley

Olga's Cucumber Salad

Olga's Soup
(Photos By Manny Simone)

Yesterday, reader Manny Simone alerted us to the opening of Olga's on Smith, the new Kosher/vegan restaurant at 407 Smith Street. Manny was going to try the new place last night and I asked if perhaps, it would be possible to get an update or review of the restaurant. Well, Manny came through with a wonderful account of opening night at Olga's, complete with menu recommendations and great photos. Well done, Manny. You are a born restaurant critic. Thanks!Read Manny's review below!

Olga’s on Smith
My fiancé and I went to check out the new Olga’s on Smith located on the less-populated stretch of Smith between 4th and 5th streets. It was only their second day of business so they were still working through a few kinks, but overall it was a good experience.
The space itself is clean and sleek with just a single row of tables and banquettes. We sat ourselves but no server came. Is this a restaurant? Is it a café? Is it an upscale deli? We finally walked up to the counter and Olga herself was working behind it. She was very friendly and accommodating, gave us menus and we sat down to have a look. An assortment of sandwiches were the main focus for $7, with several wholesome sides (sundried tomato pasta salad, caraway roasted potatoes, etc.) served by the half-pound for $3.75 each. There were other basics like soup for $4.50 and a build-your-own-salad-section for $7. Many of the items were vegetarian, vegan, kosher and/or gluten-free and nothing on the menu seemed to surpass $8, which was a big plus. We decided to get an assortment of sandwiches, sides, and soup to share and really get a taste of everything.
We walked back up to the counter and Olga explained that they weren’t serving sandwiches just yet but if we wanted one, they could ‘improvise something.’ I appreciated her effort, but was disappointed because the sandwiches were really the only ‘main course’ items on the menu. Not one to make a fuss, we stuck with our soup and sides.
I was surprised to see that they were still trying to figure out how to handle orders that weren’t “to-go.” The sides were weighed on an electronic deli-scale but then they realized that the weight of the dinner plate was not being considered, so they had to weigh the plate itself and then minus that from the total with the food on it in order to figure out if there was enough food (confused yet??). In addition, Olga in a warm-hearted way of being accommodating kept asking us if the portion sizes were ‘good enough.’ I don’t know about you, but I’ve never quite mastered how to eyeball a half a pound of Asian cucumber salad and all I really wanted was whatever you were supposed to get for $3.75.
 After we finally got our order figured out, the food was placed on a tray cafeteria-style and we brought it back to our table. There were some definite high points: The Asian cucumber salad with mint was refreshing (and I don’t even like cucumbers), and the cous cous with garbanzo beans and tomatoes were delicious (my personal favorite). There were a few misses: a bland edamame coleslaw (does putting a few soy beans on a plate of coleslaw really make it an ‘edamame coleslaw’? The corn soup and the vegetable lasagna, though tasty, were both served luke-warm despite the disappointing fact that I could see her behind the counter putting all that food in the microwave. She ended our meal with complimentary chocolate Russian truffles, which were great, and a plate of roasted tomatoes, which were not so great.
After all the kinks are worked through, Olga’s can be a decent place for some cheap, quick, healthy food. Our entire meal for 2 came out to a total of $24. I’ll definitely be back for breakfast since they open at 7am (but how can they not serve espresso!?) and I’d like to actually try a sandwich at some point. Also, make sure to check their hours as they close at ‘dusk’ on Fridays and are not open at all on Saturdays, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
Despite a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out, Olga’s on Smith is a welcomed addition to south Smith Street. With a simple and fresh décor, economical and quick eats and friendly service, Olga will definitely be seeing me again.

Manny Simone is a performer, music teacher and music director who lives in carroll gardens Brooklyn.
Check out his website here.