A shish kabob made with grilled chicken marinated in lemon juice and oregano is Khalil Nagi’s favorite dish on Olive Leaves’ menu.
This menu item, called the shish tawook lemon oregano, is one of the many different choices offered at Olive Leaves, one of the latest restaurants to open in Lake Orion.
Nagi is the owner of Olive Leaves, which specializes in Mediterranean cuisine.
Not only is Olive Leaves a place to dine out and have a night on the town, but people can also enjoy the exotic cuisine without having to leave the comfort of their couches, according to the owner.
Food, such as hummus and spinach sandwiches, Greek salad, saut’ed lamb or beef and shrimp scampi, can be delivered straight to customers? doorsteps by calling 248-693-3900.
Nagi differentiated the restaurant from others in the town, expressing why he feels Olive Leaves should be the dining choice for Lake Orion residents.
‘Our restaurant is different from others because we want to help the communities around us ? Lake Orion, Clarkston and Oxford. We are all about hospitality. Fresh and healthy Olive Leaves invites you to join a healthy lifestyle,? Nagi said. ‘It’s a fine Mediterranean cuisine, the freshest and healthiest food.?
A Mediterranean diet, which consists of plenty of fruits, veggies, nuts and olive oil, was recently connected to longevity by a 2009 Harvard public health survey. Nagi stressed the healthy component of the meals at Olive Leaves, a variation from the super-sized greasy meals many of us are accustomed to.
Nagi moved to the United States from West Africa. He said he has been in the ‘restaurant biz’ all his life.
His family owned a restaurant in Casablanca, and he continued the family trade here in Lake Orion.
He said he picked Lake Orion because he liked the location, the outgoing people and felt drawn to support this community.
‘I really enjoy making people happy,? Nagi said.
Olive Leaves opened its doors for the first time on Monday, June 29. The eatery is in Ruby Tuesday’s old location at 780 South Lapeer Road.
The restaurant is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.