A Middle Eastern breakfast at Cheese and Olives

• Name + address: Cheese and Olives, 1183 Hunt Club Rd unit 108

• Diet: Vegetarian

• Prices: $5-$15

• Wheelchair accessibility: Yes

• Other: Kids menu

• Website:www.cheeseandolives.ca

Last year, when I was fortunate enough to discover Sona Indian Kitchen, I noticed a restaurant directly next door named Arabian House. It was a Yemeni restaurant that I would soon visit. Or so I thought. It closed permanently before I could get to it.

In its place another Middle Eastern eatery, Cheese and Olives, has sprung up offering both breakfast and lunch.  

Owner Raed Al Qedra is from Palestine and was proud to boast that everything at his restaurant is made from scratch.

Indeed it was a great start when I was served a sublimely delicate date cookie with my robust Turkish coffee.

Much of the health benefits of this cuisine comes from its reliance on pulses like lentils which provide both fibre and protein. 

Like at many other such restaurants the lentil soup here is vegan and loaded with flavour. It’s always a surprise to discover how much complexity can be drawn from lentils, vegetables and spices all without the use of any sort of soup stock as a base. At five dollars a bowl, this is a substantial portion made extra filling by the addition of fried pita (fattoush) chips.

Foul (pronounced “fool”) is a warm dip made using fava beans which have been a part of the Mediterranean diet since the fourth century. With this dish named Qudsiah, the warm, cumin-scented foul is served in the centre of their fabulous hummus and topped with a mixture of finely chopped green pepper, parsley, garlic and lemon.

Next to it came a fresh mixed vegetable salad and for nine dollars you may not find a more substantial or healthier lunch anywhere in this city.

For a different take on falafel I ordered Mahshi, a falafel ball stuffed with onion and zesty sumac. I enjoyed each bitem but no more than I’ve enjoyed other falafel. It was the accompanying tarator sauce that elevated the experience. Tarator made with tahini, lemon, garlic and sumac, gave the fried ball its required zip.

Kunafa (aka Knafeh) is an age-old Palestinian dessert originating in the city of Nablus. It’s a semolina and cheese-based sweet ideally served freshly made and warm, although it’s also a treat at room temperature. This portion had been made to order and while very nice, I found it too much for just one person to enjoy and would recommend sharing this with up to four people. It is quite rich and was not as sweet as I was expecting but I suggest having this with tea to finish a meal.

The food at Cheese and Olives is just first rate and gives you every reason to make repeat visits. The prices are affordable, the service is friendly and the food is healthy, clean and just delicious.  A great way to start 2025.