The Twisted Olive – Patio Edition

Yesterday, as I enjoyed the piazza at Gervasi for the first time this season – soaking in a sunny June afternoon, good company, and a glass of white wine {yay!} – I was reminded that the Gervasi family of properties has another outdoor space that’s equally lovely…and we’ve yet to talk about it. Shame on us for holding out.

I’m talking about The Twisted Olive, of course, which does a stellar job at our summer must-dos: patios & happy hours. [Sidenote: a few years ago, we wrote about some Canton-area patios that have at least something going for them, from swan-filled lake views on the high end of the scale, to not directly facing a parking lot on the low end. On the whole, Canton’s patio game is not strong. But it’s improving, and we have Gervasi properties, in large part, to thank for upping the ante.]

The Twisted Olive, located just west of the Akron Canton Airport, offers Italian-American cuisine with a “twist,” in a stunning, no-expenses-spared setting. I never thought I’d write modern, luxe, fun, and lodge-y to describe an establishment, but the Twisted O is just that.

But ya know what? We’re guessing you’ve already read about The Twisted O or even enjoyed a meal there. Instead, we’d like to share how we, the bouches, enjoy The Twisted O, which we’ve carefully honed on numerous, numerous visits without breaking our wallets.  {We’re borderline regulars.} It’s almost always during happy hour, with a few friends in tow, and weather permitting, patio-side. Here are our pro tips:

• The golden hour(s) to hit The Twisted O is between 4-6pm, Monday through Friday. Your reward for such exact planning will be great…and easy on your wallet. If you’ve been saving The Twisted O for a date night or a GNO, try it for happy hour NOW– it’s ridiculously affordable for drinks and appetizers.
• The best drink deal is the $5 martini menu, because when did the standard for martinis mean $10 and up? The ‘Angry Olive’ is a must if  you like olives and a little heat. If martinis aren’t your jam, well drinks are $5, domestic beers are $2, and wine by the glass is $1 off.
• Apps are a phenomenal deal, too – meatballs (traditional, chicken or veg), hummus with veggies, crispy brussels sprouts, crispy calamari and wings are each $5. Take several people, order one item each, then let the sharing commence.
• Pizzas are great for sharing, too, because they’re HUGE! Add one of these to your happy hour order, and you’ve definitely taken care of dinner. I tried the B-A-T {bacon, arugula, tomato} at a recent function – super delish.
• The Twisted O has not one, but two patios, upper and lower, both of which overlook a small pond and grassy area. On the upper patio, you’ll enjoy a sea of black and white umbrellas, full service and beautiful views. Downstairs, you’ll find a covered ground-level patio attached to an indoor bar area, with a mix of high top tables and outdoor lounge furniture.

Also? Just another little plug for The Twisted O: I’ve had my share of business dinners, special occasion dinners and events at The Twisted O. They have been beyond accommodating – from ensuring we have the perfect table for “business talk” to presenting a luxurious spread of apps and pizza for a networking event. This isn’t sponsored content, just honest-to-goodness feedback.

Happy Hour: Monday – Friday • 2-6pm
5 Appetizers for $5 • Meatballs, Housemade Hummus, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, Calamari and Wings
$5 Well Martini’s / $5 Well Drinks / $5 off Bottled Wine / Select $2 Domestics / $1 off Glass Wine

On the web at http://www.thetwistedolive.com

5430 Massillon Road
Green, Ohio 44720

(Outdoor photo credits: Harold Brown)