The Olive Press — Restaurant in Oakville

Olive Press was one of our favourite restaurants but their service has deteriorated to the point that we will never come back. And even worse, they LIED to us today, which is far beyond from acceptable. They do not know what the basic customer service is.

We visited them after experiencing horrible service last time, thinking we will give them a second try, considering how much we liked them.

What a mistake!

The server asked us if we are ready to order within 2 minutes of us sitting down – and I had used the washroom and she saw me coming out of washroom and I wasn’t even seated. And throughout the dinner, service was not very good. There were couple of awkward moments, which we thought maybe lack of training and since food was decent, we said well, at least, food is ok.

The issue occurred when we got home. We found out that my dad’s hat is missing and he remembered that he left it at the restaurant. We called them once, and they put us on hold and said no hat was found. We looked everywhere just in case and we couldn’t find it. Since we didn’t go anywhere else, we decided to call them again about 5 minutes after, in case they had found it and they did not get our information the first time we called. They were very firm and said no hat was found. I asked if they had checked at the corner of our seat (we were at the half-booth), on the floor where we sat, and man’s washroom. They said they checked everywhere and no hat was found and again, didn’t ask for our information, should the hat was found, so they can call us.

My dad was sure he had it when he walked into the restaurant, so my parents went back to the restaurant, thinking they will check the parking lot and themselves again.

When they entered the restaurant, they flat out told them that they do not have a hat. My mom asked whether she could check, and they said they checked everywhere and there was no hat. My mom insisted checking herself, because my dad remembers leaving it there, and they were very hesitant and gave her a look. But eventually, they said ok. So my mom went and there were other group was seated at that table. And of course, there she found my dad’s hat. On the floor. My mom had to ask the other guest to pick up the hat for her.

My mom said “Here is the hat”. And they just gave them a look and stared at them. Not even a sorry. My parents quickly left, because they felt very upset.

There were 4-5 employees who said there was no hat when in fact there was. I think this is a basic customer service and they lack this big deal. We will never go back and I wish other guests know what kind of service they are getting before they put their feet on their door.

To add to this, last time we visited, we also had quite awful service. Server never checked on us – and we were one of 3 tables that was occupied, so it was not busy. She gave us a wrong bill twice, and when we ask for extra plate, she came back after we are almost done. We asked to pack leftovers, she took the food and never came back. We waited for 10+ minutes and ended up walking to the waitress station, where we found out food in a container and we had to wait for another 2 minutes for someone to show up and hand it to us. (BTW, we know that was ours given the number of tables that they had and the other server checked it for us).

So we were on the fence of not visiting again. But since our daughter really likes them, we decided to give them a try again. We wish...

Very disappointed in the direction this restaurant has taken in the last couple years but dining in with my family tonight was the final straw. The service was always great and food and atmosphere good as well but the staff nowadays have seemed to just let go of all manners. I took my family there tonight and was greeted by a young lady at first (who was lovely btw) but I had a simple menu item question as to ingredients because I have severe allergies to certain things. Anyways, I was then introduced to the manager about my concerns about what was in the food items and received a simple stern answer of “well if you had food allergies why did you eat out and not just stay home and cook yourself”. I was shocked by this statement and made sure to get her name from another staff member who said her name was Chrissy. AND THIS IS THE MANAGER. I would love to say this was the end of a horrible experience but it wasn’t… towards the end of our stay there, just before dessert, I wanted to step out for a cigarette. I like to keep my distance from the main doors and pop around the corner as to not disturb visitors. I was extra shocked to see who? But the same manager from earlier who had made the rude comment getting frisky with a staff member behind the establishment. I would prefer not to go into detail as to what I saw going on but let’s just say it was NOT PG.. I guess they had noticed me close by and snapped at me with a such a remark as to stop spying and being a “perv”. And this is the STAFF and not only that but still DURING my meal there. Needless to say Chrissy gave me and my family a terrible unwelcoming feeling and we will not be returning there anymore. This is sad because this was close by our home and a frequent spot we would choose to have a family night out. Very upsetting and...

A Changed Experience at The Olive Press.

For many years, The Olive Press held a special place in my heart as my chosen destination for birthday celebrations. Regrettably, my recent visit on January 28th, 2024, after a two-year hiatus, left me with a sense of disappointment.

Historically, the charm of The Olive Press was not just in its cuisine but also in the warm, welcoming ambiance it offered – reminiscent of a quintessential Italian dining experience. This time, however, I felt a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. A small yet significant change was the introduction of a $3.99 charge for bread, previously complimentary with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This alteration, seemingly minor, significantly impacted the overall dining experience. It subtly shifted the essence of the restaurant from a place that celebrated its customers to one where commercial considerations seemed to take precedence.

The magic I once felt within its walls seemed diminished, not because of any decline in service quality – the staff remains exceptional, exuding professionalism and friendliness in equal measure – but because of these subtle changes that collectively made the experience feel less personal, less special.

While I understand that businesses must evolve and adapt, it's disheartening to see such changes undermine the very qualities that once made The Olive Press a beloved establishment. The decision to charge for bread, a staple in Italian dining, symbolizes a move away from the generous spirit of hospitality that I had come to associate with the restaurant.

While the culinary quality and service remain commendable, the shift in the restaurant's approach to customer experience has, regrettably, taken away much of what made it unique and inviting...