Olive Or Twist

Warning: Do NOT come here on a Saturday night. Cause that's what I did. And it sucked because nobody was there. Ok, not nobody, maybe like 12 people including the staff and my crew of 5.  It looked great in there, big comfy couches, a huge bar with a big selection, high ceilings with beautiful exposed brick, but empty.

I am not from around the area and was just in town visiting. I would go back, but definitely not on a Saturday night. Don't go on Saturday. Seriously, don't do it.

I love the decor of this place.. it has that industrial, NYC feel to it, but I question whether they have their s*** together sometimes.

I ordered a beer and after 1 sip I could immediately tell that it was skunked.  The waitress graciously offered me another free beer, which was a nice gesture, so I decided to order a Labatt Blue.   That beer was also skunked.

Never a good thing when you visit a bar and 2 out of 2 draft beers they serve are totally skunked.  This was truly an odd and bizarre experience lol.  

Luckily, Sharp Edge was right across the street to save the day..

The bartender was super nice, the space was inviting, but they missed out on the basics..  

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Man law: under no circumstances shall a man ever watch "The Notebook" in it's entirety, unless he is strongly coerced by his signifigant other.  Watching that film is 100% guaranteed to result in lower testosterone levels.  I consider that testosterone abuse.

Man law: serving consecutive skunked beers on draft at a bar in strictly prohibited.  I consider that alcohol abuse.

So, groupon made this evening possible.  Thank you, groupon.  Picked my husband up from work in Market Square and walked over to Olive or Twist at about 5 pm. Parkings a b***.  I'm so glad we walked.  It was happy hour on friday and the bar was packed FULL.  Buzzing with business men and women looking to loosen their collars for the weekend.  The place seemed alive.   We edged our way around the bar to the hostess table where we were warmly greeted and sat quickly (make a reservation though...we were only sat because aparently another party canceled even though the dining room was empty? whatever its fine) Was a little too loud from the bar, for a couple looking for a romantic dining experience but I'm not complaining.  We were seated in the dining room wich has beautiful rustic brick walls revealed and a warm ambiance.  I was really excited about the menu. Everything on it sounded decadent.  So much so, that I couldn't decide and ordered TWO entree's!  I never do that.  I ordered the Fettucini Boursin (reccomended by the waitress) and their
Pear & Candied Pecan Salad (I added chicken for $2)  
............. The salad--- FABULOUS.  Bleu cheese crumbles atop mixed greens, a crisp fresh sliced pear, and the most amazing strawberry vinagarette I have ever had. The chicken I added was very juicy. The only downer about the salad, is I hardly got any candied pecans... they were few and far between and when I did get some, they were more like candied pecan crumbs you find at the bottom of the bag.  That just told me the chef for whatever reason, must have been out of them.  But if your going to call it a pear and candied pecan salad, it needs to have a reasonable amount of pecans.    ...............................Next, was the Fetuccini Boursin.  The waitress raved about this, and I think I see why.  They top it with a yummy sharp cheese shaved in a pile that is really delicious. But for me, the plate in general was a bit dry and the sauce was the consitency of elmers glue..not just thick, I mean... sticky and dry.  I like it more moist.  In my opinion, Olive Gardens fettucini is better, but it satisfied my pasta craving, nevertheless.    My husband ordered the Carribean Jerk Chicken Sandwich with a side of broccoli instead of fries.   HE LOVED EVERY BITE.   He was hesitant to even let me have a taste he wanted it all to himself.     Our waitress was so kind and welcoming.   Overall, it was a great experience.  We enjoyed it and it made for a nice evening.  We will probably come back,but not without another coupon.  Its questionable wether the food is truly worth full price or not, but thats just my opinion.   I really want to try their happy hour drinks.  They looked delicious, and obviously they are, if they are drawing such a crowd.  This is a nice little place :)  Give it a try.