So, there is finally a good, full bar in the Phinney Ridge area that exerts some style and attitude that has been lacking. Yes, we have lots of great restaurants and ale houses but no really nice lounges. This place fits the bill while understanding the local clientele well - the owners have both been mainstay employees at other local eateries up until they opened their own spot having worked at Carmelita and Stumbling Goat.
Oliver's Twist settles itself right in between these two great Phinney restaurants and proudly sports a small but tasty menu of small plates. We sampled a few items this past week including the cheese stuffed dates, the anchovy and grilled onion pizette (mini pizza), fingerling potatoes with aoli, and for dessert a lovely chocolate brioche of sorts. The chocolate was truly decadent. An interesting item on the menu that I wanted to try (but will have to wait till next visit) is the truffled popcorn - that and the tomato cappucino (a soup) and a deluxe mini grilled cheese made with gruyere cheese.
The custom and classic cocktails are swanky (they have the Vesper Martini on the list) and a few are getting the kinks worked out of the bartenders. Veronica is the bar manager and is interested in making sure clients have a good experience. The interior design is great and offers a lot of variety for a place that only holds 63, per the occupancy listed. Great buttoned leather built-in booths, bar seating, tables, and other unusual seating that you've got to see.
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