THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Third & Olive

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Third & Olive Restaurant Review:

Former Patina Group chef Miki Zivkovic, whose homey Bistro Provence is a local favorite, doubles up on Beautiful Downtown Burbank with this handsome dining room. Rich walnut, back-lit mirrors and high-backed banquettes provide a distinctive old-school ambience, paired with a cozy bar illuminated by contemporary Dale Chihuly-esque chandeliers. Like Bistro Provence, the value is exceptional here, with nary an entrée exceeding $20 and many wines under $40. One might begin with a mold of finely chopped beets liberally infused with horseradish and topped with goat cheese, or a bowl of gnocchi---briefly pan-fried for color and crispness---with tomatoes and peas. Consider a middle course of creamy, al dente wild mushroom risotto sweetened with reduced balsamic vinegar before moving on to a more than respectable beef bourguignon, roasted chicken with onion coulis or duck breast with honey-balsamic sauce over puff pastry. Among desserts, we enjoy a lightly brûléed passion fruit tart. The restaurant is young, and more ambitious cooking is promised by Zivkovic to distinguish this much larger venue from Bistro Provence.