Olive Or Twist

Updating my review because I visited again and was really pleased with the entire experience. My mom and I visited on a Friday night; it was crowded downstairs so we headed up to the second floor. we visited in December and the the decorations were gorgeous. There was even a giant fire crackling on the tv. It was happy hour, my mom ordered the chocolate pretzel martini and I ordered a glass of Chardonnay. My mom lovedd her martini– it was really tasty. To start off, we got the caprese appetizer. When I first saw it, I thought that it looked really small and wasn’t impressed… But when I tasted it I completely changed my mind. It was awesome– easily the best caprese I have ever had at a restaurant. The mozzarella was fresh, as were the tomatoes and basil. The balsamic was delicious too. It wasn’t large, yes, but it was incredibly tasty. For our main dishes, I had the chipotle wrap with bacon, turkey and other goodies with a side of fresh fruit and my mom had the chicken sandwich with snap peas. We both loved our sandwiches. Mine was spicy but not overwhelming and just packed with fresh and delicious flavors. The fruit was fresh too and super tasty. My mom loved her sandwich and her snap peas were cooked and seasoned perfectly. To top it all off our server was incredibly attentive to our table and very friendly. I look forward to returning!

Called in November to secure the upstairs for our wedding after party and were instructed that they do not accept reservations over a month prior to the event. We were told to call back a month prior which we did only to learn that upstairs had been booked by another party. Upon speaking to Brandon we learned they do in fact accept reservations over a month out. So either the person we spoke with on the phone was misinformed or said that to get us off the phone. In any case when learning this Brandon simply stated that we were wrong repeatedly and offered no alternative. I wasn’t expecting them to cancel the other party to accommodate our party. However when I asked what he do to accommodate us he was unapologetic and rude. The customer service displayed was some of the worst I have ever seen.
Luckily an establishment in the area heard our issue and was SYMPATHETIC and worked with us to resolve our issue. I will never set foot in that place again or spend a single cent there ever.

My review is based on a visit with my sister during happy hour. I had a blast! The bartender was friendly and helpful, which was awesome because they have many martinis to choose from and we had a lot of questions :) He even whipped up a quick sample of one for us to try!
The martinis are perfection; everything from the chocolate covered pretzel to the lavender lemon drop. The only food I tried was the nachos. and they were great as well. I liked the look of the bar as well, very classy but not too stuffy.

Love this place! Used to come here a lot when I was in college for apps and drinks before Benedum & Heinz Hall shows. Rather small dining area– you have to make a reservation or get here a little early on those show nights. The sticky wings & buffalo chicken dip w/​chips are the best! Also loved the chicken Caesar salad … Never got it myself but this place is also known for the Martini Sampler during Happy Hours… You’ll see many a patron grabbing this fun drink adventure! Check this place out next time you want a modern, mellow spot for grabbing a bite & a drink w/​a friend or significant other!

One of my wife & my go-​to options for drinks, apps, or a nightcap or three. Drinks are always high quality & well-​made. Foods that we’ve had (primarily apps) are always delicious. Beautiful atmosphere and an excellent hangout spot. The brickwork is just awesome. Live music most weekends can get very loud downstairs, but if it’s too much, there’s a separate lounge upstairs that’s also excellent. Been there quite a few times and never had a bad experience.

Took my girlfriend on a date here.
Made a reservation and it was great. Only waited a few minutes, but had some very well mixed drinks and was seated shortly after.
Had a great time, food was good, wait staff was superb… Great establishment.
Only gripe I have was that there was an incredibly annoying bachelorette party in there at the same time. They sucked. But everything else was good.

We stopped in before the Unilocal Elite CLO’s A (Musical) Christmas Carol. This wasn’t my first time at Olive or Twist — and I had enjoyed myself before. We had cocktails (tried a sip of each other’s) and two appetizers:
– Ruby Red Bellini: Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, Aperol, Sugar Cane, Lime Prosecco
– Black and Gold Martini: Belvedere, Lemoncello, Chambord, Sours, Lemon
– Olive or Twist Calamari: Fresh Breaded Calamari, Zesty Asian Sauce, Scallions
– Crispy Kalettes: Kale, Sea Salt, Cracked Pepper, Parmesan
My bellini was outstanding; and, the martini was fantastic as well — both with fresh mixers and sugar rims. The calamari with an Asian twist was texturally and flavorfully delicious and actually paired very well with the fried kale. The combination of our cocktails and two appetizers was a perfect pre-​theater experience — especially with the Byham right across the street (and Heinz Hall right down the street) and a parking garage right next door.
The only negative note I have is that service was a bit slow; however, we were there at 5:30 (with the Steelers/​Colts Sunday Night Football game later in the evening). Overall, I’m a fan of Olive or Twist — the cocktails, food, price, and location!

I selected Olive or Twist for my sister’s birthday dinner, mainly because the name drew me in. I made a reservation and was told there were only two timeslots available. Fortunately, one of them was fairly close to the time I was hoping for, so I went ahead and booked it. The only reason I mention this is that when we arrived, there were only two other tables in use and no one else came in the entire time we were there, which seemed a bit odd.
However, that small bit aside, the meal and experience were excellent. We both ordered the penne with vodka cream sauce, and it was absolutely delicious, as were the appetizer and drinks. I will say that they certainly do not skimp on their martinis! I generally feel that martinis tend to be on the weak side, but I actually found this one to be too strong for my taste — fortunately, the waitress kindly offered to have the bartender lighten it up for me. On that note, they have many creative and traditional drink choices, so you can feel confident that there will be something everyone will enjoy.
The service was exceptional — our waitress did a wonderful job and we particularly enjoyed the quiet atmosphere. We did go on a Monday night when I’m sure it was much slower than usual, but still, it seemed much quieter than your typical bar scene. It can get pricey, but it’s worth it for a special occasion. All in all, a great place to go for dinner and/​or drinks in an intimate setting.

So I had previously visited olive or twist with my boyfriend a couple months back, and we were a bit underwhelmed. I luckily decided to give it another chance. My mom and I dined here before seeing a show. We arrived at 6:20 on a Friday and luckily made it in time for happy hour, $ 5 glasses of wine and half price crispy kalettes for us! Our service was speedy (and very pleasant), so we were able to order second glasses before the special was over. Our kalettes were very interesting! Crispy and cheesy, my favorite! I ordered the lobster mac and cheese and my mom ordered the poutine fries. We both enjoyed our dishes and we shared, so I can vouch for both entrees when I say they’re tasty and filling! Perhaps our favorite part of the evening, however, was the banana caramel xango. It was delicious and it was prepared so that it was perfect for sharing!

My husband and I selected Olive or Twist for our intimate wedding reception of 85 guests. We could not be happier with our choice, and our guests raved about the food, beverages, service and ambiance. Several described it as the «most hip» wedding reception they had attended.
We reserved the entire second floor for our event, and the space was perfect. There was enough seating that no one seemed to be without an option, and the setup was cozy and intimate. Our families were able to sit in medium to large groups together, with smaller high tops for two available as well. The VIP area was used for food setup. We did not need to provide decorations — the atmosphere is already perfect and the tables really do not allow for much additional adornment. There was enough space to allow for dancing, and ample space for coats. The back bar was used for our dessert/​cookies and they added a table at the entrance for our gifts, cards, and guest book.
We chose a variety of cold/​hot appetizers and penne pasta, sliders, and truffle fries as our main dishes. Everything was served on small plates. The food was incredible, and the wait staff were attentive and abundant. There was a great selection of draft and bottled beer, and numerous martini options within our price range. We selected the S’mores Martini as our signature drink (we love to camp) and it was very well-​received. The General Manager, Brandon, was so responsive and incredibly helpful throughout the entire process. We were able to plan the entire event via email which was super convenient. When I selected certain menu items that he did not feel would be the best options, he pointed me in the direction of others (without inflating our bill). The portioning was right on and there were no surprises at the end of the evening.
If you are looking to host a non-​traditional wedding reception (we did not have a DJ — we brought our own iPod) and are ok with unassigned seating and a more relaxed cocktail party feel, this is a perfect choice — especially for smaller receptions. Most other options in the city came with food and beverage minimums that would not have been achievable with our small number of guests.
We are so happy we decided on Olive or Twist for our wedding and would do it again in a heartbeat.

If your name is ‘olive or twist’ the employees behind the bar should be able to make a dirty martini that’s tolerable.
Poor service too. Why come here?

I have no reason to give this place less than 5 stars! I’ve been here before a few times, but this past Friday we had birthday reservations for my girlfriend’s 25^th at 8pm. I got there and the place was almost empty! Quite a change from other times I’ve been in. I didn’t mind it though, we had a great dinner and were able to hear each other speak.
We started with the calamari. It was fried and tossed in a sweet, Asian flavored sauce. It was amazing! Cooked well and not your typical breading.
I ordered their red pepper and gouda soup and the steak salad with chicken instead. Chicken was tender and cooked well. It had a lot of flavor and the ranch was excellent. Others at the table had the steak sandwich, grilled cheese and soup, and steak salad. All received rave reviews.
The real reason to come here, though, is for their martinis! I haven’t had a drink here I didn’t like. This past weekend I had the strawberry shortcake martini (long week!) and it tasted like a milkshake. It was frothy and the rim of the glass had a brown sugar (?) crushed graham cracker. Other drinks I’ve tried here range from cosmo’s to caramel apple and other martinis (OMG.), the grapefruit mimosa-​type drink, riesling and vodka diet cokes. Everything has been well-​executed, not watered down and served promptly. It is clean inside and has a swanky, open upstairs with couches, high tops, televisions and a large bar.
A really fun and different place to go either for food or just drinks or both!

I am usually not one to go downtown, but hubby got a Group on for this place and I was so glad he did! This place is known to be a martini bar, and boy do they know their stuff.
When we arrived we were promptly seated and our waiter took our order. Since I am a sucker for cucumber, I opted for the cucumber basil martini. Let me tell ya, this beverage was not only pretty to look at but very tasty and refreshing to boot. My husband opted for one of their beers on draft.
For our main I decided to go for their braised short ribs which pretty darn good. The short ribs had this really tasty wine sauce, with a side of mashed potatoes and some really tasty asparagus. Everything about this dish was delectable.
My husband on the other hand, opted for their hamburger with some bacon and Swiss cheese. I had a taste of it and it was pretty good. My husband really liked and the fact that it was cooked to his specifications.
I really liked the ambiance of the place. The exposed brick the old bar. It just had a romantic feel to it. Definitely a good place for a first date as it is a little intimate.
Really like the fact that they can make a mean martini and the romantic décor. If I am ever in the neighborhood I will more than likely hit this place up again!

Went here before seeing a show at the Benedum. Sat at the bar as there weren’t open seats elsewhere. The bartenders were quick and friendly. We ordered lemon drop martinis and the Nacho appetizer. I was happy with the drinks, although they could’ve been stronger for the price. The appetizer was not the best. Chips were stale ish and the chicken was dry. Not exactly what we were looking for, but good enough. I’d give them a second chance. Or just go for drinks!

I not only expect to not like Olive or Twist, I also don’t really *want* to like it. My one and only issue is that its kind of expensive. Martinis are all about $ 10, the entrees are all around $ 30, and unless you’re going for happy hour, all appetizers are at least $ 10. I always start to wonder if it’s really worth the cost, but honestly, I think it is.
Every time I’ve gone I’ve shared crab cakes. Before you judge the $ 27 price tag, just realize that they have the type of crab cakes that are actually made with real crab. These aren’t $ 15 crab cakes that are half bread/​filling, they are proper (and very large) crab cakes. This last visit we also split nachos and lobster mac n cheese. I’ve heard the buffalo chicken dip is good and every dessert I’ve tried has been great.
It’s also a martini bar so you’d expect them to be great at them, and they are. Last visit I had the chocolate covered pretzel, but other memorable martinis include the birthday cake and strawberry short cake (please don’t judge– these were actually enjoyed on my birthday.) And at although these drinks aren’t always my favorite type of alcoholic beverage, they are soooo good.
The place is dark (in a good way) and has impeccable service. Or at least the server I’ve had both times, Jeff (per our receipt) is great at his job. He’s exactly the kind of sever I would always want to have: nice, polite, and overall just generally good at his job with the timing of bringing food and checking on the table.
I’d definitely visit Olive or Twist more regularly if they dropped their prices like 25%, but you get what you pay for and I’m willing to occasionally shell out the extra dough for a good meal with awesome service.

Stopped by after enjoying «Young Frankenstein» at the Byham Theatre.
This venue is just a short walk across the street from the Byham so was very convenient. The interior has a very pleasant atmosphere. We sat at the bar to have drinks and an appetizer. With the kind bartender’s help, I ordered the chocolate pretzel martini. My glass was decorated with chocolate stripes on the inside and a rim covered with chocolate and salt. This was definitely a winner in both presentation and taste.
We ordered the nachos without any protein added. They looked good but there wasn’t enough topping for the number of chips so many chips were eaten dry without anything on it. Definitely needed more cheese and «goo» to make these worthwhile.
The appetizer part of the menu was good and priced right so I’d come back and just try something else next time.

I got a pack of those City Dining Cards (you get $ 10 off on a $ 30 minimum food purchase at participating restaurants) and decided to use the Olive or Twist card for a dinner prior to seeing the Phantom of the Opera at the Benedum. I’ve been to this place once before for dinner and a couple of other times just for drinks. I’ve never really been blown away by my experiences there but I’ve never had any reason to complain either. I got there at 6:00 and the place was pretty packed with the happy hour crew and theater goers but I got lucky and nabbed the last two stools at the end of the bar. I was greeted cheerfully and almost immediately by the bartender who showed me the beer list. I choose to stay local ordering an East End Fat Gary and looked over the menu as I waited for my date to arrive.
Although it was a little loud, the atmosphere was very comfortable and my lady and I contributed to the noise as we discussed how our day went before ordering off of the menu. I was torn between the Crispy Braised Pork Belly Sandwich and the Pan-​Seared Atlantic Char. But my decision got easier when my date choose the char… we have this rule that we will never get the same thing so that we can share each other’s entrée.
Our orders came about 15 minutes later. The pork belly was amazing! Cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a creamy sauce topped the pork belly in between a really fresh Ciabatta bun. Mmmm, delicious! It also came with a side and being as cold as it has been, the tomato basil soup was nice compliment to the sandwich. Off course I got to taste the Atlantic Char that my girlfriend ordered. It looked and tasted a little like a good cut of salmon only a little thicker and saltier. It was good, but I really think that my sandwich was the tastier of the two meals.
Olive or Twist? I’d say it’s a good pre-​theater option and I’d recommend it. The service was good, the bartender was attentive, the food was excellent and the price was competitive for the area. My only knock, and it’s really not much of a knock, is that I think the serving portions are a little less than what we here in America have grown accustomed to. Most restaurants serve you much more food than you really should consume and that’s one of the reasons why we here in America have more of an obesity issue than other nations.

I do love a good martini bar! We ventured here not once, but twice during our stay. The first night everyone met up and I had about four martinis, all of which were delicious. My absolute favorite was the cake martini with the cookie dough martini being a close runner up. All of them were delicious. We didn’t eat much, but we did chow down on the truffle fries and they were absolutely delicious.
The downstairs bar is a place to meet for 2 – 3 people but the upstairs bar is better for a group. The only issue I have with this place is the speed of service. We waited a while for everything. At one point, I finally got tired of waiting and went to the bar and the bartender got a bit nasty that I should really ask the cocktail server for drinks on my tab (which I had been waiting to do for 10 minutes).
All in all, a fun place to go and delicious drinks!

I stopped by Olive or Twist for a couple of drinks with my friend and fellow Unilocaler Carrie W. after seeing The Nutcracker at the Benedum last Fri. When Carrie suggested that we grab some drinks, I suggested that we go to Olive or Twist because I’d been wanting to check it out for awhile. I rarely receive the opportunity to go out for drinks after shows because some of my friends who I attend shows with tire out early (lame) or don’t really go to bars ever (even lamer), so I was excited to finally have the opportunity to imbibe a few in a classy setting downtown.
Given that it was my birthday, I knew exactly what I wanted drink-​wise, thanks to Rachel C.‘s review: the cake batter martini! Thanks to other reviews, I was aware that O or T’s specialty martinis are dessert-​y drinks rather than your typical martini. This was absolutely fine by me, since I enjoy sweeter digestifs later at night. As can be seen from my photo, this martini comes with a rim of chocolate syrup spangled with multicolored decorative sprinkles, which made for a very festive – and delicious – birthday drink. Once I finished it, I went for a second round and chose the mint chocolate martini, which also came adorned with chocolate syrup. It tasted exactly like melted mint ice cream – my favorite kind. Yum!
We sat at the upstairs side bar, and service from the bartenders was generally good – one of them even wished me happy birthday when I mentioned why I was ordering the cake batter martini. While it was busy, it wasn’t so crowded as to feel claustrophobic. The noise level was a bit on the loud side – but then again, what bar isn’t?
I really enjoyed my visit to O or T, and look forward to returning again, once I can convince my friends to stop by for a drink. I’d love to check out the happy hour, in particular. Because I haven’t tried the regular (non-​specialty) drinks or the food, I’m going with a 4, but I’ll update my review once I return and do so.

After hearing many positive things about the martinis here, we finally made our way down to experience it for ourselves. It was totally worth it!
We arrived around midnight on a Friday (well, technically Saturday I guess) and there still was a decent crowd being the place is downtown. We ordered our drink upstairs and eventually made our way back downstairs and sat outside so my boyfriend and his friends could smoke. The upstairs is fairly big and definitely had enough room so you don’t feel packed together. There is your basic bar seating, as well as couches and chairs that give it a lounge sort of feel. It didn’t take anytime at all for a friendly bartender to notice us and take our drink order.
They had a lot of really interesting sounding drinks, but we decided to go with the Pumpkin Spice martini because it’s October (like, duh!!). Wow! Now, I’m not one for martinis as I have mentioned in previous reviews for other places, but this was amazing! The best martini I’ve ever had. So delicious and super easy to take down, yet you could still taste the alcohol so you know they didn’t short you.
After spending some time upstairs, we traveled downstairs to check out the first floor. There was definitely a different vibe. It was slightly older and not as bumping. I also got to take a peak at their menu because I would love to come back and try their food.
As I mentioned above, we ended our night outside as they have a few tables and chairs. This is always the best because sometimes it’s nice to escape the madness of a bar, especially if you’re out with smokers. OOT is also located near the Cultural District so I didn’t feel unsafe standing outside at a late hour.