Troy and Alison Barrios didn't set out to open a restaurant. They started with wine tastings — casual pop-up events around New Orleans where friends and strangers could try interesting bottles in interesting places. The concept was simple: good wine, no pretension, and an atmosphere that made everybody feel welcome.
That spirit is exactly what led them to St. Roch Market.
The Pop-Up Phase
Before Olive & Co had a permanent home, the Barrios couple spent years testing their concept at farmers markets, private events, and pop-up dinners across the city. They learned what worked: curated boards with locally sourced meats and cheeses, approachable wine selections, and a presentation style they describe as "rustic bougie" — elevated food in a down-to-earth setting.
The pop-up format taught them something important. People didn't just come for the food. They came for the experience of sharing it. A charcuterie board isn't a solo meal — it's something you pass around a table. Wine isn't just a drink — it's a conversation starter. Olive & Co was built on that insight.
Finding Home at St. Roch
When a stall opened at St. Roch Market, the fit was obvious. A food hall is, by its nature, a shared space — exactly the kind of communal dining environment that made their pop-ups work. They could serve their curated boards, fancy grilled cheeses, and flatbread pizzas alongside a rotating wine selection, all in a setting that encouraged people to linger, share, and come back.
The market gave them something the pop-up circuit couldn't: consistency. Regular customers. A neighborhood. Troy can now build relationships with the people who walk through the door every week — learning their palates, recommending new bottles, remembering their go-to orders.
What's on the Board
Today, Olive & Co is one of St. Roch Market's anchor vendors. Their charcuterie boards feature locally sourced meats and cheeses, seasonal accompaniments, and house-made spreads. The fancy grilled cheese has become a cult favorite. And their wine selection — curated by Troy, who holds multiple sommelier certifications — rotates regularly, with free tastings every Thursday evening from 5 to 7 pm.
It's still wine, cheese, and good company. Just like the pop-ups. Only now, they're home.
Olive & Co is open daily at St. Roch Market, 2381 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans. Wine Tasting Thursdays run 5–7 pm with 10% off all bottles.
