Aziz Talbi is finally able to combine two of the things he loves — electrical engineering and operating a restaurant.

Talbi, 45, of Davenport, opened Olive Tree Cafe on Nov. 19 at 2513 53rd Ave., Bettendorf, in the Crow Ridge Plaza. Talbi, who was born and raised in Morocco, said his restaurant offers a host of Mediterranean dishes, including gyros, salads, kabobs, wraps, panini, soups, sandwiches and vegetables, and side dishes such as pita bread, stuffed grape leafs and humus.

“When I was going to engineering school at Oklahoma State (University), that is how I paid for tuition, working at various restaurants,” he said.

Today, he works locally as an electrical engineer  — a job he will keep while fulfilling a dream to open his own establishment. “I enjoy both worlds,” he said of each profession.

Talbi said he hired a person to manage the restaurant. Also, his wife, Lou Ann and Talbi, will take turns over-seeing operations. Because of his day job, Talbi said he will work primarily evenings and weekends at Olive Tree.

“So far, it has been a great response,” he said. “I am very happy with the customers. It has been steady. There has been a good lunch crowd and dinner crowd as well. A lot of customers are saying they have been looking for this for a long time.”

He said after a soft opening, he plans to host a grand opening in the next two weeks.

“It is all healthy foods,” he said. “There are a lot of people who are health-conscience. And if someone wants something different, we will accommodate.”