It had been too long since we'd looked at the offerings from The Olive Oil, the Woodlands' only traditional Greek restaurant.

On a rainy August evening some hearty Greek fare sounded perfect, so we zipped over to the establishment, conveniently located on Sawdust in a large shopping center with ample parking.

The Gyro

The most popular item at many Greek spots is the iconic gyro sandwich, and The Olive Oil didn't disappoint. Thick slices of gyro meat, fresh onion and tomato, and the tangy house tziziki sauce are surrounded with a fresh pita, and wrapped for easy handling. It's a solid rendition; the juicy meat and fresh veggies are complimented by the creamy sauce. Gyro fans should be quite happy with this version.

The Greek Sampler

For those wanting to try a selection of Greek standards, The Olive Oil presents the Greek Sampler. Consisting of Moussaka, Pastitsio, cheese pie, spinach pie, gyro meat, dolmas, tzetziki, pita bread, green beans, chicken souvlaki and oven roasted potatoes, it is a great introduction to the wide variety of classic Greek favorites offered on the menu.

The Mixed Grill

In the mood for meat? The mixed grill will catch your eye. Lamb kabob, lamb chop, beef kabob, chicken souvlaki, pork souvlaki, and shrimp souvlaki are all represented, and all are well prepared - juicy and flavorful.

We enjoyed our visit to The Olive Oil, and found it to deliver consistently good Greek standards in a comfortable, pleasant setting. If you like Greek food, check it out.

The Olive Oil Restaurant | 373 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands, Texas | (281) 367-0114

Opa! That's the traditional Greek exclamation, and it's heard a lot on Saturday nights at the Olive Oil.

From the street, the Olive Oil is a nondescript little storefront in one of the huge strip centers along Sawdust road. But once you step in the door, you're in a warm, inviting restaurant with some of the best Greek cuisine around.

Like many folks, I'm a big fan of gyros, and the Olive Oil's are top notch. The meat is tender, savory and flavorful. And the pita is fresh and hot; no hard, dry pita here. We observed a wide variety of Greek specialties being served, and are looking forward to sampling them on our next visit. (And for the unadventurous, there are some typical American dishes offered, including a chicken-fried steak.)

Service is friendly and professional - lots of staff, and they're constantly in motion.

If you arrive on a Saturday night, as we did, you'll be greeted by a full house (we were lucky to get a table) and some outstanding Greek dancing and singing. A band set was set up in an out-of-the-way corner, and a troupe of dancers were performing in front. The entertainment made for a very boisterous atmosphere; it was fun, and we'll return.

The Olive Oil: 373 Sawdust Road, The Woodlands, 77380, 281-367-0114
theoliveoilrestaurant.com

The Bibas empire as moved the idiosyncratic West Gray store to some upscale new digs on inner Westheimer. Located in the slot occupied by the late-but-not-terribly-lamented Rouge, Bibas has moved uptown in more ways that one.

The new location is lovely; much more upscale than the funky old spot. And the staff seems to have brought their attitude upscale to match the new digs - on our recent visit the service was prompt and professional.

Fortunately, the better-than-average Greek food as made the trip. Gyros are very good; the high volume assures that the meat is very fresh, the veggies are crisp, and the pitas are right off the pita-making-thing. Other Greek specialties are good as well: I often order the kotopita, the savory chicken dish served in flaky, layered pastry.

But my favorite thing at One's A Meal remains the pizza. The crust is hand tossed and chewy with a crunchy exterior, and the toppings are fresh and flavorful. My fave is the standard pepperoni, Greek-ified with the addition of feta cheese. It comes out chewy and gooey, and is one of the best pizzas in town.

Prices seem to have climbed slightly with the new fancier digs, but it remains a real bargain, especially for the neighborhood.

If you'd rather not wait in Niko-Niko's line, drive a block and enjoy both better service and better food.

One's A Meal: 812 Westheimer, Houston, 77006, 713-523-0425

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