Twist is owned by the Pinelli Marra group. A restaurant group that started with the Post Office Cafe in East Greenwich and eventually expanded to eight locations. On the group's website they brag about every location being different from the others. I had inside information, though, and know that the cooking staff from one location frequently gets transplanted to others. That isn't exactly the best way to maintain a unique flavor from location to location. This shows. Upon entering Twist, I noticed how ultra-trendy the whole setup was. Still, it's a very well designed and attractive dining area. Service was prompt and friendly. The chairs are comfortable with a decent amount of cushiness. I wasn't very impressed with the menu. For a bit more money, you're getting a selection that's very similar to other Pinelli Marra locations, like my favorite, The Grille on Main. For example, the crab cakes, mozzarella triangles, and quesadilla are all identical to the Grille. They do get more inventive with the specials at this location than at others, but unfortunately, those specials are hit-and-miss in their quality. Most importantly, many of the dishes are more expensive here than at other locations. Their dessert offerings are very basic and offer nothing inventive. Their drink list is also average. I ordered a steak with gorgonzola sauce. The sauce was over-powering and rendered most of the other ingredients moot. The steak was on the well-side of medium and wasn't a very good cut. Still, I give it credit for being decently tasty once I had scraped some of the sauce off. As I mentioned, the desserts were nothing to write home about. Cheesecake, brownies, and ice cream are all present. Taken as a whole, there are a number of gems on the menu, but the lack of real seasonal changes means it will grow old quickly. If you're in the neighborhood, it's worth stopping by for a sandwich, but nothing more.
Pros: Very good prices, good selection, decent food.
Cons: Quality of specials is dodgey. Same menu as other, cheaper places. Merely decent food.
more