Twist 181 Lounge — Restaurant in Spanish Fort

So disappointed. There was a group of 3 of us that made reservations (required) for Valentines dinner that was advertised as $150 for 2. A total of $225 for the three of us, not including drinks of any kind. We arrived on time, with a sign at the door that says “Seat yourself”. I was confused how they would require reservations with no one attending the door. We walked around to find a server to ask about our reservation. They seated us, restaurant was at 50% capacity the entire time we were there. We waited 25 mins before anyone ever came to our table initially. Ordered waters, with one alcoholic drink. It took around another 10 mins to get the beverages. There were very long periods every single time without being checked on throughout the meal. We had appetizers.. scallops were cold, with an extremely fishy taste... Oysters were good. We had no silverware so had to ask for that. No straws. No salt or pepper. Was served wedge salads with no knives whatsoever. Of course having to wait long times between each thing we had to ask for, that should have already been provided at any restaurant, especially one that charges $75pp. Each of the approx 10 times we had to ask for necessities or drinks, even the food plates, the server would put them on the opposite edge of the table to cause us to reach across, every single time. It was insane. It took approx 15-20 mins to receive our salads, but the main course arrived 5 mins after ordering, as we just received our salads. I knew there was no way they could have prepared our food to an acceptable level in 5 mins, obviously pre-prepared for $75. The quail was mid, the prime rib was ok, the grouper…it was a completely RAW filet with breadcrumbs dusted on it. Completely raw, clear piece of fish flesh. They offered to make another one, to which everyone had completed eating their meal by the time the replacement grouper arrived. The bread pudding was good, minus the black burnt char on the outside. We also asked for butter for the baked potato that was served plain. The manager brought us a cup of crisco/lard and we did not notice until putting it on the potato bc it was dark in the restaurant. When we asked why she brought us grease, she said “Oh my gosh that’s not butter!” Since the potato had been sitting there with lard on it for 20 mins before they would come back and check on us, we nicely asked for them to replace with a new potato and the server said very rudely, “I will do whatever you want, I’m trying my best here!” She also then said the original was “clarified butter”, but it was not. In the middle of our meal, we noticed the couple next to us having issues as well. Extremely long wait, less than average service, etc. Apparently the manager was sitting at the bar (I assume this to be the manager), and when the couple were discussing to themselves the disappointment, the manager bounced up to their table and said “What’s the problem!?” It was rude, an unacceptable tone, not asked for, and did not even introduce herself. She and our server both acted like the customers had done something wrong when 99% of the night was one of the worst experiences most of the customers seemed to have. I will say, the only good part of the night was the one hour of our two hour visit that the violinist played, thank you sir. This place is advertised in a “luxurious” way, and I would have been disappointed with this experience if it was a $15 meal. It was my first trip, my friends’ second trip. And their first trip they were told to leave bc the “Tables are reserved”, when the sign at the door again said Seat Yourself, and two of the tables did not have Reserved signs on them, then she waved 2 reserved signs that she placed on the remaining 2 tables as they were leaving. We decided to give it one more try. We will NOT be back. And I honestly hope no one else will ever step foot in there. It was a joke, the service, the quality of food, the management, or lack thereof. Major changes will be needed for you to...

Our first time and we probably won't be coming back. Our experience was a lot like others reviewing the place. Long waits, even though they had few to no other customers. It was a full half hour, maybe more, before we were able to get anything consumable on our table. That's frustrating when you're the first people to walk into an establishment. The passive aggressive server gave us attitude when we ordered 2 small beers and 1 large and we then asked if the order was right when three identical size pours were delivered. The two apps I tried were tasty. The drinks were worth what we paid. Bottom line though, the place is apparently run by amateurs in the restaurant/bar business. Like with many places that don't make it, they have a great concept and have obviously invested a lot of money in the space, but the foundational basics of providing the customer a welcoming and competent visit are just totally lacking. Upon scanning the QR code for the menu, we found that many of the cocktails were greyed out and listed as out of stock. The waits were so long, as our server and her trainee sat at their station and chatted, that I finally just left our table, bypassed her and made our second round orders directly from the bartender. The server just stared in my direction like she was wondering what I was doing. Frankly, we would have spent twice as much money if our orders were taken and delivered in anything like a professional manner. Maybe the server could circle back to see how we were doing now and again? Not asking for a lot here - just the bare minimum you'd expect from even the most basic eatery. As it was, the fact that they advertise a VIP section and an elevated experience overall became a running joke with our party, so I guess thanks for the fun in...

It's nicer than other places around town, but I don't find it to be as "upscale" as they claim. It's as if it doesn't know what it wants to be having so many TVs around. Is it a sports bar? Is it a wine-liquor bar? The jukebox on the wall kind of threw us for a loop as it loudly played tons of country, sometimes repeating songs, then R&B.

Decor was pretty in its colors, but once there it screamed "look upscale at cheapest options possible". Tables appear laminate, floors appear laminate, but the bathrooms appear to be of higher quality options.

Certain drink ingredients requested weren't available. (The server didn't know what allspice dram was; the bartender didn't even know what allspice dram was, let alone have it.) A friend requested a particular tequila, but they don't have it. He then requested a particular mezcal, and the server suggested something else. I sought out two particular Cabernet Sauvignon wines, but they don't have either of those either.

I ordered an Old Fashioned made with rum instead of whiskey. I was disappointed with how sweet the drink was. After watching the bartender it's as if she's not pouring to the top of the jigger, indicating under-pouring. Maybe because "it's messy" to pour it complete. So I ordered a margarita next, thinking it's harder to mess that up-- if it wasn't great, then that tells me a lot about this place. The margarita was soooo heavy on mixer/lime juice. I don't know that I'll want to come back for cocktails. The menu and execution were both underwhelming. But hey, the decor is kind of pretty...

Again, it is nicer than other options around town, but it isn't what we expected compared to what we're used to. When you sell yourself as "upscale," customers...