A SERIOUS restaurant review

[TZ]

For some reason I think you guys will be interested in this:
THE EATBEAT: Long-awaited Olive Garden receives warm welcome
fter a lengthy wait for Olive Garden to open in Grand Forks, the lines were long in February. The novelty is slowly wearing off, but the steady following attests the warm welcome.

My first visit to Olive Garden was during midafternoon, so I could be sure to get in. After a late breakfast, I figured a late lunch would be fashionable.

The place is impressive. It’s fashioned in Tuscan farmhouse style with a welcoming entryway. There is seating for those who are waiting.
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/231419/

[Dr. Strange]

1. It's the Menudo of fine dining.

[TZ]

7. You know

If it wasn't in ND but in Washington State I would wonder about the writer..

[PassingFair]

2. Yes, but how does it compare with the Olive Garden in New York, near Time Square?

[LynneSin]

3. All in all, it is the largest and most beautiful restaurant now operating in Grand Forks....

That's just sad, really sad.

[dana_b]

4. I've never seen a review of an Olive Garden before now

Hmm... well, it just shows me how lucky I am to live where I do.

[semillama]

5. Ah, the upper midwest

Where an Olive Garden is a big event.

Growing up in a remote part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I actually can appreciate the sentiments in this review. I recall being excited when McDonald's came to town, with decor that was actually designed with our local regional history in mind (extensive use of copper; stained glass decorations showing local landmarks).

When we got our first Chinese restaurant? That was awesome, because then we didn't have to drive an hour and a half to Marquette to have Chinese food as a special treat!

Now, my home town has a number of chain restaurants, so it's no big deal anymore when one comes to town up there.

[LynneSin]

6. Where I grew up - going to McDonald's was a big event

not kidding

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

8. Olive Garden is the Thomas Kinkade of Italian restaurants

although I have to admit the breadsticks are pretty good (I also like the biscuits at Red Lobster). But I've been to Grand Forks, and although it's a college town it is not what you'd call gastronomically diverse - so an Olive Garden probably seems pretty fancy and exotic. And the reviewer seems to be the sort of nice grandmotherly lady for whom dining out means lunch at Denny's.

[Bryn]

9. I was there when the first Olive Garden opened

in Orlando and ate there for free because I worked for Red Lobster Headquarter Information System back in 1980's. We went there as taste testers. After not eating at Olive Garden for many years I went to a new one here in Arkansas and found it much different than when I first ate there in FL. I have to admit that I very much prefer homemade Italian bread, not bread sticks. I love Macaroni Grill.

Olive Garden in Tuscan farmhouse style sounds good.