A touch of Mediterranean class is coming to downtown Kirkland with the opening of the new Olive You Restaurant this week.

The restaurant features a high mix of cuisine and culture from such diverse regions as Greece, Turkey, Spain, Italy and France, with a mixture of select asian fare. Featured will be Souvlaki (skewers), tapas with speciality dipping sauces and numerous other foods, much of it cooked to order.

Owner Timur Leno, with establishments in the Greenwood District of Seattle (“Sweet on You” and “Olive You”) brings a version of his “Olive You” to the newly remodeled former Marina Grill and Kahili Coffee Shop at Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street.

Leno, trained in mechanical engineering, has moved into the restaurant business successfully over the past several years and is going forward with specialty cuisines, emphasizing central European and central Mediterranean foods and culture. Fresh and wholesome seafoods, vegetables and fruits will be offered, with fresh herbs and seasonings. Deserts consist of Baklava, flan, tiramisu and other special pastry items.

Leno considers food a celebratory event, a virtual ceremony for which he has a passion in cultivating and presenting to the public. The emphasis is on a strong family-friendly environment and accessibility with good employee and customer relationships. The use of products from the Pike Place Market and the Kirkland Wednesday Market underscores this experience. Leno also donates his time giving cooking classes at different venues and outlets (working off his menu) to further build a strong community connection.

In addition to the great cuisine, the bars offer 220 wines from Washington and European vineyards and 24 beers on tap, supplied by the capable Keleen Storino, supplier to many venues on the Eastside.

Here’s to an exciting and distinctive offering of a new restaurant in the ever-changing downtown Kirkland. For information, visit www.olive-you.com.

Robin Maiers is an arts and entertainment enthusiast in Kirkland.