Olives

Doesn't Recommend

brazill

Joined 7 years ago

Huge wine list and a clueless waitress. Food was really good and so was the bus boy. Our server, Jill B, had absolutely no clue about the wine whatsoever.

For a restaurant with such an extensive wine list, we were expecting a server who would know at least the bare minimum required to work at a restaurant in NYC. Not only did she not know how to answer our questions but never did she offer to get someone from the staff that did. We blindly picked our wine and had a really good meal. Our check was 297 dollars and since she was terrible but the food was good, the bus boy was great and we work in the business, we gave her 3 credit cards and asked her to put 180 on one and 90 on the other 2 (360, right?). Jill B had the nerve to approach us and say we didn't leave her a tip! Not only is she a TERRIBLE server but math is not her forte either. WOW! Won't be coming back and will most definitely advise my friends to avoid going there.

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Julie Rand

Joined 3 years ago

Great after work spot for cocktails and appetizers. Olives is the perfect place for after work cocktails with your co-workers and/or friends. I go there at least twice a week and always end up ordering a the same combo that a bartender there recommended: the fig and prosciutto flatbread with TY KU's Liqueur on the rocks with a splash of gingerale. This app really fills you up and is great for sharing, and the cocktail is light and refreshining. yummy!

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honee0812

Joined 5 years ago

Nice Atmosphere but the food wasnt really that impressive. A group of about 8 of us came for a birthday dinner. We made reservations and were promptly seated in a beautiful private round booth. The waiter didnt really come around often enough. The drinks we ordered were a bit too sweet. We were really excited to eat here because of the good reviews we read but we dissapointed when the food arrived. Appetizers: we had the proscuito flatbread, raviolis and the tuna. It wasnt bad but it wasnt great like we expected. The food arrived and it was just plain average. I guess for a 800 bill we were expecting to eat something fabulous. I've been to better restaurants in the city with better prices. Would I go back? Sure, it wasnt terrible just not worth the price. It's worth a visit just to see the pretty decor. oh and ps- to get to the bathroom you have to take a side door out of the restaurant and into the hotel, and up a huge flight of stairs! Dont wait too long when you feel you gotta go cause its a 5 minute walk! But.. the stairs and hotel are also pretty.

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toasterbunny4

Joined 5 years ago

The food here is fantastic. I went for lunch the other week, and I loved it. If you go early enough (before 1), you'll have no trouble getting a table, and the service is very attentive. Our server was very genuine and friendly, and I appreciated that he never forgot to smile (a good server always smiles!). But more than anything, I really, really enjoyed the food here. The sweet corn flatbread pizza was really, well... sweet. I could eat about a hundred of them in one sitting. The baby octopus appetizer is a substantial size -- no skimping on the octopus -- with a good balance of flavors. Even the tea service was well done, which I really appreciate since normally tea is an afterthought at most restaurants. I was really pleased with my experience here and I will certainly go back again. My only complaint is that the chairs are a bit low for the height of the tables... I'm 5'10, but I still felt a bit awkward. Other than that -- perfection.

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mark

Joined 11 years ago

Good atmosphere, app's and drinks. We went to Olives after work for appetizer's and drinks. The very popular place (attached to the W) had a good crowd enjoying themselves and we able to find 2 seats after about 5 minutes. We enjoyed the apps and drinks and the ambiance makes for good people watching. Only word of caution is the the service can be a bit slow.

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enfeil3

Joined 10 years ago

still thinking about the tapenade!. My husband and I walked in on Christmas eve and were seated in the bar area, which was cozy and comfortable except for the extremely loud group of girlfriends at the bar (but hey it was xmas eve so we were forgiving). Next time I'd make reservations to sit at a table in the dining room for the full effect of being at the restaurant rather than in a hotel lobby bar-type atmosphere. The basket of bread/focaccia and olive tapanade was addictive! We started with the bibb lettuce salad (yum!) and the tortelli of butternut squash, which was quite sweet but it worked and was out of this world! My husband is still talking about it. I ordered the branzino which was fantastic and my husband got the brick oven roasted chicken which he liked but like I said, he's still talking about the tortelli. Service was pretty good. We'll definitely go back.

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city_kat

Joined 6 years ago

Excellent!. Went with a friend last night. Service was very good, ambiance was perfect. The lighting is just right, the acoustics in the restaurant were very good considering it is the W Hotel and you expect it to be loud. It was fine, my friend and I weren't yelling at one another. The temperature in the restaurant was nice and comfortable. For appetizers, we had the eggplant/prosciutto flatbread and the shaved brussel sprout salad. Both were absolutely AMAZING! Dinners were excellent. My friend had the lamb which was cooked perfect with a little bit of spice. But, the sauce that accompanied it toned the spice down and was a perfect combination. I had the scallops over risotto. Very good, highly recommend! For dessert we had the chocolate pudding cake? Anyhow, it was far beyond a chocolate lovers delight.

Overall, the experience was 5 star and the chef Todd, lived up to his reputation. We will definitely be back!!

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tksully21

Joined 8 years ago

Waiter was a disaster. Food is delicious but had a bad experience with the waiter. I was there during lunch and the waiter didn't bring our drinks until after our appetizers were served, this was completely ridiculous as the restaurant was not packed. Every time he came to our table he would chime in on whatever topic was being discussed at the table which was rather annoying. We enjoyed the food, especially the olive paste that they serve with the bread.

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sonrisa

Joined 8 years ago

Yum. My boyfriend lives in Miami, but we go to Olives whenever he is in town. In January, we didn't order an appetizer so the waiter recommended one with oysters (forget the name). Delicious! I also had the Pomegranate Sour recommended by another reviewer. I don't drink due to low tolerance, but I loved this drink. I usually get sleepy, but with the food, atmosphere, and company, I became happy and giddy. Despite being an introvert, something came over me and I got silly with a napkin on my head. My boyfriend was very pleased with our experience. When the bill came, he asked me what 20% was for the gratuity. He misheard me and wrote an amount for 30%. When I told him, he left it. It is pricey and some servings might be small for a big eater, but the food is delicious, and the service is without pretention.

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gertah

Joined 7 years ago

Great option for a splurge. I consider Olives to be a very good Mediterranean-influenced American restaurant. None of the dishes are authentically "Italian," "Turkish," or "Greek," but rather a nice mix of flavors and traditions of those countries. That said, the food is delicious, beginning with the exceptional (complimentary) basket of assorted in-house breads served with olive tapenade. The vegetarian mezze platter is great for sharing, and the braised short ribs are phenomenal. The wine list is pricey, but also very high caliber. I adore the vanilla souffle for dessert. I also really enjoy the large, open space, roomy tables, and swanky decor, including many banquettes, and a few semi-private round booths toward the back. Lighting is dim enough to be romantic, but still lively. Service is rushed at times, however always curteous and knowledgeable. Try the bar, which also serves as a lounge for the W Hotel... good strong cocktails and a happening scene.