We regret to report that as of January 2010, the Olive Tree Bistro has closed.
Olive Tree Bistro was a finalist for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine because as the flagship of the Latour fine-dining restaurants
and because of its award-winning Mediterranean cuisine and service.
The Olive Tree Bistro offers Mediterranean cuisine
with an international, gourmet twist. The family owned and operated restaurant
prides itself on exceptionally fresh ingredients buying locally grown produce,
hormone-free beef as available and flying in fresh seafood. Pair this
with exceptional service in an elegantly appointed dining room and guests enjoy
an incomparable, sophisticated dining experience.
THE
HISTORY
It was with a
philosophy of excellence that Antoine Toubia, a native of Lebanon, began to change Wichita's definition of dining. Toubia loved
the Mediterranean roots, culture and hospitality that he had grown up with. It
seemed only natural to encompass that while starting his first restaurant, The
Olive Tree.
In his own
words, "It gave me an opportunity to try the same unique food I had grown
up with, a menu for large families with large demands. We started with that
menu and it just took off! We provided service and intelligently good products
to our customers and we had fun doing it!"
Although there
was a fire that destroyed the original Olive Tree in its first year of
operation, something was perfectly clear - there was a hunger that Wichita craved - Antoine's
fresh approach to dining and the manner in which it was served, with warmth and
hospitality.
More than
twenty years later, Antoine's legacy of excellence continues to grow and
flourish. The Olive Tree Bistro has continued to distinguish itself among the
best, receiving the prestigious DiRoNA Award in 1992-1993 (Distinguished
Restaurant of North America) - a distinction that can only be awarded to a
restaurant once in its lifetime. The Olive Tree Bistro has also received Wichita's only AAA
Four-Diamond rating for the last ten years.
Today, Latour
Management has built a superior reputation as the most valued and respected
food management and service provider in the city, which started with its
founder, Antoine Toubia and is continued by the Toubia family and its
employees.
With
more than
20 restaurants and contract locations in the Wichita area, Latour is a
leading trendsetter
of food management and service. The Toubia family legacy includes:
Olive Tree
Bistro (opened 1979), Bagatelle Bakery (opened in 1983), Piccadilly
Market (opened in 1989), Piccadilly Grill East (opened in 1991),
Piccadilly Express
Cafe (opened in 1997), Piccadilly Grill West (opened in 1999) and Cafe
Latour (opened in 2000). In addition to these fabulous restaurants and
cafes, Latour
provides food services to many contract locations to include Wichita
corporations, hospitals and schools.
The menu (hot link) categories are Cold Tapas and Mezze, Small
Plate, Large Plate, and Desserts. The
signature entrees include Rack of Lamb, Wasabi Crusted Scallops, Dodge City Rib
Eye alla Fiorentina, Veal Picatta, and Blackened Ahi Tuna.
Quality food and presentation. Photos courtesy of Olive Tree Bistro.
A salmon dish. Photo courtesy of Olive Tree Bistro.
