Adventures at Olive Garden
This past weekend was parent’s weekend at my school, but unfortunately my parents were unable to make it. My friend Maddy’s family offered to let me hang out with them. On Saturday night, I went to eat at Olive Garden with Maddy, her mom, and her maternal grandparents. Olive Garden- the American Italian chain restaurant. This is a restaurant that many people know and enjoy going to, especially for the breadsticks. It was my first time going since about 6 years ago so I was nervous about the food.
Arriving just before 5pm, we didn’t expect the crowd that was gathered at the front of the restaurant. Maddy and I pushed our way to the front to get a table. Instead, we got a round black coaster-like machine that would buzz when a table opened up. After 30 minutes of sitting and chatting in the waiting area, the coaster began to vibrate and flash red lights.
A very kind hostess told us that our server would be with us shortly as she led us towards a booth. As we sat down, I looked around and noticed the fake flowers on the windowsills and the battery-operated candles sitting on each table. Our waitress made it over to the table after about 5 minutes of us sitting there. She was apologizing profusely, but I was confused to as why she was because we hadn’t been there that long. She was probably just starting there, because her attempt at witty banter just made everyone feel uncomfortable. She got our drinks, and took everyone’s order. After she had gone to put in our food order, the manager came over to apologize as well. He promised us gift cards due to the wait. At the table, we sat in confusion because we did not think the wait was that long. Getting gift free cards was a plus, so no one was complaining. The bread sticks the waitress brought out after the manager had left were fantastic. Maddy ordered Alfredo sauce to go with them, and the combination of the two was delightful. I ate about 6 breadsticks. I ended up regretting that afterwards because I felt like I had gained 20 pounds, but they were so good I couldn’t resist! The downside was that the atmosphere was not as good as the breadsticks were.
The restaurant was noisy and crowded. We were having a decent conversation at our table, but there was the occasional interruption of a screaming child. I suppose this should be expected, as it is a family restaurant. Our food came out quickly. I had eggplant Parmesan. The eggplant was decent, just a bit salty. The spaghetti that came on the side was not good at all, the sauce was way too salty and the pasta was not fully cooked. I will admit that I am picky with Italian food, especially pasta sauce (gravy), because my mom is Italian and makes fresh homemade sauce. The other problem with the food was the ridiculous serving sizes. I don’t know who could eat all of that food on their own. I knew I was going to have to box it to take home.
Again, the service was great, and when we were ready to go the check was brought over immediately. Overall, it was a fun experience, but the breadsticks were the best food I had there.
Arriving just before 5pm, we didn’t expect the crowd that was gathered at the front of the restaurant. Maddy and I pushed our way to the front to get a table. Instead, we got a round black coaster-like machine that would buzz when a table opened up. After 30 minutes of sitting and chatting in the waiting area, the coaster began to vibrate and flash red lights.
A very kind hostess told us that our server would be with us shortly as she led us towards a booth. As we sat down, I looked around and noticed the fake flowers on the windowsills and the battery-operated candles sitting on each table. Our waitress made it over to the table after about 5 minutes of us sitting there. She was apologizing profusely, but I was confused to as why she was because we hadn’t been there that long. She was probably just starting there, because her attempt at witty banter just made everyone feel uncomfortable. She got our drinks, and took everyone’s order. After she had gone to put in our food order, the manager came over to apologize as well. He promised us gift cards due to the wait. At the table, we sat in confusion because we did not think the wait was that long. Getting gift free cards was a plus, so no one was complaining. The bread sticks the waitress brought out after the manager had left were fantastic. Maddy ordered Alfredo sauce to go with them, and the combination of the two was delightful. I ate about 6 breadsticks. I ended up regretting that afterwards because I felt like I had gained 20 pounds, but they were so good I couldn’t resist! The downside was that the atmosphere was not as good as the breadsticks were.
The restaurant was noisy and crowded. We were having a decent conversation at our table, but there was the occasional interruption of a screaming child. I suppose this should be expected, as it is a family restaurant. Our food came out quickly. I had eggplant Parmesan. The eggplant was decent, just a bit salty. The spaghetti that came on the side was not good at all, the sauce was way too salty and the pasta was not fully cooked. I will admit that I am picky with Italian food, especially pasta sauce (gravy), because my mom is Italian and makes fresh homemade sauce. The other problem with the food was the ridiculous serving sizes. I don’t know who could eat all of that food on their own. I knew I was going to have to box it to take home.
Again, the service was great, and when we were ready to go the check was brought over immediately. Overall, it was a fun experience, but the breadsticks were the best food I had there.