Olives

My family and I went to Olives last night using our Groupon … we all had a very good meal and will definately will be back even without a Groupon. Only issue was that he bread at the start of the meal was not fresh … which I would have thought you would get in a place of this caliber.
The waiter we had … was great …

Showed up at 9:00
Told they close at 9.
Balls
Group of 3 (us) and another group of 4 looking for a good place to eat after Homeshow is over.
Likely many more groups to follow.
Manager wasn’t even interested in speaking to us but after a long delay he gave us enough attention to tell me they close at 9 and kitchen staff were giving us the «wtf» face when the manager asked if they were willing to stay open.
Obviously the owner wasn’t around ’cause any owner would have taken us in with open arms.
With this type of service, I’m wondering how long before Olives2 closes and Olives3 is resurrected many months later with new owners.
Hopefully the owners of Olives3 take care of their customers.

My review sits somewhere between 4 and 5 stars.
I brought my man here for his birthday… when you are born a couple of days before Christmas, it is nice to mark the occasion separately and I thought trying a new place would be nice.
The food was great. We have the Aranchini to start along with the slice European meat platter. I found the latter kind of lame but he liked it (was his choice anyway). The Aranchini though was fabulous. We then went on to have the Lamb chops and the rib eye. Both were quite good — he had fries with his and I had the gnocchi.
For dessert he had the Tiramisu. He said all the cocoa powder on the top was a bit much… tasty but“like eating dust”. I had the Crème Caramel… my first choice was sold out (at 6pm on a Saturday?). It was quite good.
They had a nice selection of mixed drinks and wines. The service was perfect — friendly but not too invasive. We were sitting not too far from the main entrance and we really could feel it when the doors opened… brrrrr. But luckily there weren’t too many coming in an out so we weren’t overly bothered by it.
We were a bit intrigued about the smoothie bar at the one end and the lounge at the other. We did wonder if the place had a bit of an identity crisis. or was struggling a bit However we had a nice dinner, with solid service and probably would come back based on that. It has such a great range of food choices we would like to see what other yummy possibilities there are!

This is was an interesting experience, in the sense that it started out really really bad, but ended really good.
I was planning a surprise party for my friends 30^th birthday. Doing so with two weeks notice in December is challenging. I was fortunate enough to be able to book here. My husband had come down early and dropped off the balloons and we were coming down later to get everything set up.
Well we got there and there is a group sitting at our table with our balloons… WTF. I’m not impressed, no one seems to know what happened, all hell is breaking loose. Finally we get it sorted out, they moved the other group and we had our original spot with our balloons.
We got set up, everything went off without a hitch. The food was good, and I was very happy they were able to do gluten free for me. The hubby started with the meat board, and they gave me this delicious gf bread to go with. Then we shared a salad and a gluten free pasta with chicken and pesto.
The price was pretty decent we got a bottle of champagne for the birthday girl, as well as our meals and a few other drinks (the pineapple mojito is to die for!) and we paid $ 100.

I bought the Groupon for Olives and we figured we would try it out last night. We arrived and were the only people in the restaurant the entire time, it was kind of strange, but then again it was Monday night. Our waitress was great, so nice and always right there when needed. When she went to get the manager to take the Groupon though he seemed less than impressed, very abrupt and just walked away as my boyfriend was speaking to him. Now, I totally get that Olives is losing 30 $ by us using a Groupon, but no one forced them to post the deal! Furthermore, I thought we were being more than considerate by coming on a Monday night and not taking a busy Friday night table from customers who are paying full price. Anyways, the food was good, we both enjoyed it but I think if 2 – 4 dollars were knocked off everything on the menu, maybe excluding the steaks, they might do better for returning clientele. I say this because the fried risotto balls were delicious, but at 14 $ for 2 balls (think med sized meatball) — I don’t think I would order them again.

The food is absolutely amazing, but maybe a bit expensive. My fiancée and I went there with a Groupon and spent probably around $ 60 food for more than the Groupon price. Having said that, the food is absolutely phenomenal. The décor is modern, sleek and elegant. The service is pretty good, except when waiting for the bill. This can take a long time for some reason. The drinks are yummy and original, with flavours such as bubblegum among others. We did not have room for dessert either time we came, as their portions were quite generous. So if you are looking to spend a fair bit of money and want a fantastic place to go for a date, this is one option.

Recently reopened from a year of being closed down. Olives is a very large, trendy restaurant and bar not far from the Saddledome. They have new investors and appear to have left the Hotel Art’s group — and that seems to be working for them thus far because some of the issues seem to have minimized.
Their menu is upscale with a dressy or business casual ambiance. They must still be working on their menu because it’s changing fast and furiously and it seems different on each return trip. Last trip the cocktail menu and many of the appetizers were brand new.
For the new cocktail menu, I tried a bubble gum flavored one, a blood orange one and a santorini. The tastes are very accurate to their descriptions which means when it says bubblegum it tastes like chewing gum which made it too sweet in my books and I wish I hadn’t ordered it. I was in a pit of an experimental mode that night so I didn’t find a new favorite cocktail but they did have a fun new menu. Their wine selection is quite nice, a number of options that go from reasonable priced to highly rated selections
I’d like to compare what I’ve eaten with the current menu to tell you what is good (and remind myself what it was I ate!) but the website it currently under construction. From what I remember:
I have had an appi that are basically rice and cheese with volcano sauce (wow… they shouldn’t hire me to market … it sounds much better on the menu!) and they were delicious. It comes with 2 small balls so you can share — but it’s a bit expensive for what you’re getting but I would order again. The cheese platter of theirs is a nice selection and I quite liked it also.
The mushroom risotto is delicious and it’s either changed or I was misinformed when I tried it but it’s not vegetarian — it has a chicken base. That makes me very sad… but if that doesn’t matter to you, this is wonderful. I’ve also tried some kind of mushroom and cheese pasta dish — which felt quite heavy in my tummy and I wouldn’t rush to get again. Good but a little fatty/​rich for me.
I haven’t had enough room to try desert on any of my visits… one of these days!
A lot of comments are about the speed — and it’s true, this is still not a fast place to eat — but the food makes up for this (at least it does now if there was issues before). If it’s before a major concert or sporting event, make sure you give yourself LOTS of time. There is a major lack of quality food in and around the stampede groups and this place is insane. I’d say budget about 2 hours — if that’s too long, eat elsewhere.

Myself and 6 friends went to Olives for dinner for the first time last night. The location is great since most of us work downtown and it’s in the heart of what’s starting to be a trendy neighborhood. The décor and ambiance was very pleasant and relaxing. The open kitchen concept is great and it’s very organized. The chefs were well put together as was all of the staff. The wait staff were wonderful and the bartender was very friendly. We took our time ordering since we hadn’t gotten together in awhile. The server provided us with great recommendations on what we should try on the menu based on what kind of food we were looking for. We started with appetizers to share. The down side is that the appetizers are a little hard to share with large groups but with a couple they would be great.
We had the truffle French Fries with House Cut Potatoes and Truffle Pecorino Aoli, the meatball sampler, and the calamari provencale. The Fries were excellent and I recommend everyone try them when they go. The calamari was some of the best I have had and I’ve had a lot. The meat balls were so tasty and spiced perfectly, not dry or overcooked at all.
We all had a different entrée and with 7 people it’s a challenge to have everyone’s meal out at the same time and at the right temperature but they pulled it off. I had the Fiocchi di Amore which was fantastic. The pesto sauce was excellent and everything was cooked perfectly. There wasn’t too much or too little sauce which is normally a problem at most places. I also tried some of the gnocchi of my friends plate and it was delicious. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal and nobody had any complaints at all. Which is also unheard of for a table of 7 people all with different meals.
We then had dessert, I had the chocolate cake with was decadent. The gelato that it came with was creamy and not too sweet the perfect balance for the chocolate. Also no complaints around the table about dessert and there were 3 of the 5 desserts represented.
The portion sizes on everything was perfect. I was very full by the time we left but not overly stuffed because the plates were huge. I also had 2 caesars to drink and they were both spiced perfectly which I’ve found some places have a big problem doing. The prices were also very good. I expected to pay more for the food we ordered then we did.
Everyone at the table agreed that they would come back on their own and agreed that we found our new go to place for getting together. I will bring anyone looking for a nice place to eat here for sure. I look forward to going back many times to try all the things on the menu that looked good. I think I’m up to about a dozen things.

So sad it’s closed! It was great place to kick back and enjoy really great food. RIP.

Stem wear was dish soapy cloudy, 3 requests for a wine each came back as sold out (They operate next door to a wine shop that also sells new stemware)
Lunch special was a$ 17 clubhouse with fries… probably won’t be back

Olives is a very fun and modern looking place. The seats are a little uncomfortable. The service was very, very slow but they were friendly and knowledgable. I would say the food was ok but most of it was bland. I probably wouldn’t go back given the choice but I might try it again someday to see if they got better chefs. The price is far too high for slow service and bland food. They have a bar so it’s a ether place to stop by for a drink if you are nearby. Plus they have a little deli next door that’s open during the day that sells olives and other items. The deli is more worthwhile to stop at.

Olives is a can’t miss resto and bar near the Saddledome. It’s perfect for a meal before an event at the dome or a night downtown– although its sure to be crowded and loud on Flames game nights so get there early or book ahead.
The flatbread pizzas are fantastic! But the fries get my vote for best in all of Calgary.
The service at Olives is top notch. The bartenders deserve a special mention for great mixing and friendliness. Thanks to them I discovered Hanger One vodka last year– makes a great Xmas gift.
Olives is great.

Olives is a corner location with huge ceiling to floor windows, decadent dripping chandelier lighting, loungey feel and of course amazing service and food.
There exists a more formal area for eating and then a nice casual bar area that is so chic. You want to feel like you are in NYC while being here in Calgary then this is the place to visit. Oh and make sure you visit the bathroom at least once, the chrome and darker hued mini tiles and bamboo accents are to die for.
After losing 35 dollars worth of nickels at slots, my honey and I ventured here to take our jackets off and reflect on our losings. Experiencing 5 star cuisines soon melted the memory of losing that many nickels away. The mood was nice last night, festive, full and oh so comfortable, our waiter was both charming and a little goofy, he made us feel very much at ease.
I had an amazing large bowl of Mussels with cured Italian Sausage in a wild cherry tomato concoction that stewed in a delicious white wine; it was delectable. My honey ploughed into a Truffle Parsnip Ravioli with the sweetest light crème sauce stuffed with delicious wild mushrooms.
We crescendo the evening with a delicious Maple Pumpkin and Curry Squash Pie and all this came to $ 50. I couldn’t believe it, 5 stars dining for two for under $ 100 unheard off. We loved it so much we will take a good friend there next weekend for a meal, if you are around, say hi to me.
Other desert temptations you definitely need to try: Espresso Chocolate Mouse tart, Tiramisu Buttermilk Panacota, and the Roasted Pear and Red Chestnut Honey Napoleon.

Loved this joint. The atmosphere was very clean and friendly. They even informed us the score of the hockey game because they knew we were interested.
That chocolate mousse dessert was delicious.
Thanks for the great night.

Olives is terrific!
I’ve been to Olives on several occasions (including their opening night) and have enjoyed a host of memorable dining experiences.
I popped in for lunch today and was greeted by friendly staff who recognized me from prior visits… always feels nice when you’re on a working lunch to be greeted like a VIP.
My colleagues tried the Ahi Tuna with Truffle Fries and the Paella. I was craving one of my favourites — the delicious Veal Pappardelle. It was magnificent.
If I had some extra time, I would have dropped by 100 Wines by David Walker located across the hall from Olives to pick up some nice reds and whites — they are my favourite wine store in Western Canada. Alas, I’ll do it the next time.
The GM of Olives dropped by and shared some news about their upcoming cooking classes, SAIT Culinary Scholarship fundraising event and their plans for the Savour Food & Wine Festival in March. Lots on the go and can’t wait to visit them again for more memorable meals.
One additional tip: if you’re a foodie and traveling alone or with a friend, ask to be seated at the Food Bar overlooking the kitchen. The ambience and culinary theatre is fantastic.

The flavors are spot on and the service is tremendous!
After a long walk from our hotel, we were greeted warmly.
The prosciutto flat bread starter was a tad oily but, the scallops as a main course was superb.
We highly recommend Olive’s unique interpretation of the Tiramisu.

They did a great job bringing the Flavors of Italy to Calgary. they have some great pizzas/​italian style and home made pastas. Try the Raviolis…
They also make their own olives and bread that they bring to you before your dinner… our waiter leigh was great.
For the sweet the Tiramisu is a must… do not share…
for the coffee lovers they carry illy coffee.

Great décor and decent prices. The service was very good overall, but can be spotty at times. I went there on a Friday evening after a function at the Stampede grounds. This place was packed. Fortunately we were able to make last minute reservations and managed to get a table in the lounge area. I found the place to be way too loud and noisy. It seemed more like a place «to be seen» rather than a place that was serious about food. I could barely hear my dining companions which led to very «interesting/​colorful» conversations as we misheard each other. I’d definitely NOT recommend this place for a first date if you’re trying to learn more about your date.
On to the food… we ordered a bunch of appetizers to share as we weren’t very hungry from our prior event. We tried the calamari, the beef carpaccio, the tomato salad with fresh mozarella, and mushroom flatbread. The calamari was served with a tangy tomato sauce. It was «meh» at best. The calamari was kind of chewy and hard. Not exactly what I was expecting and I’ve definitely had better. The beef carpaccio was good with some greens, shaved parmesan, and drizzled with truffle oil. However, it was under-​seasoned. We had to ask for salt. After adding the salt, it definitely tasted a lot better and it brought out the taste of the truffle oil. The mushroom flatbread was pretty decent. I’d order it again. And the tomato salad with fresh mozarella was very good.
For dessert we shared a trio of sorbets — grapefruit/​citrus, pear and passion fruit, I think. It would have helped if the server who actually brought it to us actually presented what the flavours were instead of leaving us to guess about it.
All in all, it’s a decent place. I would go back again for drinks and appies… or for a quick dinner before going to a Stampede event because it’s close by. But I don’t know if I would go out of my way to go there with my foodie friends though. It’s too noisy to have a decent conversation. and the food is hit and miss depending on what you order.

Fantastic value and food. I found the staff very helpful and attentive, and the food was hot and delicious. Atmosphere sophisticated, but friendly. Loved it.

If you want an Italian restaurant with tall wide windows that let in natural light and has a clean simple line environment, definitely consider dining at Olives.
What impressed me with their menu is the ability to upsize a dish and share it with friends, family style. I love this flexibility because on days where you don’t feel like finishing a whole serving of pasta in between your antipasto and your entrée, you can have a little bit of pasta heaven. I enjoyed my time there because of this. I have a lot of respect towards restaurants that cater to your desire.
The ambience was just perfect for me. Mind you, it was one rainy evening and I was just happy to be inside. The food is not one I would consider fantastic as an Italian restaurant but the other elements of the restaurant made my dining experience very pleasant.
Would I go back? With the right kind of friends and for the love of the space, yes I will. If you’re looking for an absolutely fantastic Italian meal, don’t come here. But this place is certainly worth a try!
Here’s a little bit of a background taken from their latest press release:
Hotel Arts Group opens new Italian Restaurant
(Calgary, AB) — On July 4^th, 2008, Calgary-​based hospitality group, Hotel Arts
Group opened the doors to its newest restaurant, Olives. This is the third
restaurant to be opened under the leadership of Hotel Arts Group General
Manager Mark Wilson and Executive Chef Duncan Ly. Raw Bar at Hotel Arts and
Chefs Table at Kensington Riverside Inn were the groups first forays into the
exciting dining scene in Calgary.
Olives features innovative Italian cuisine
prepared by Chef Johnathan Canning,
formerly of Raw Bar.
The dining room seats 120 guests
including 20 seats at an open display bar
where diners can watch Chef Canning and
his team prepare their meals.
The lounge has 80 seats framed by iconic
Bisazza tile murals and features an eclectic
wine-​by-​the-​glass program selected from
diverse Italian vineyards.
«Olives to Go», the 20-​seat market deli has
an assortment of flatbreads, paninis and
other items that can be enjoyed at the deli
or purchased to go. A variety of «sous vide»
entrées, gourmet market items and
sumptuous desserts from pastry chef
Karine Moulin .
Olives is located on the main floor of the arriVa condos located at the intersection
of 12^th avenue and Olympic Way SE across from the new Stampede Casino.
To learn more about Olives and the Hotel Arts Group, please contact Fraser
Abbott, Director of Sales & Marketing at 403.266.7678 or via email at
. For reservations, please contact Kevin Taylor at
or at 403.984.5000.