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| - Where's the love for the Olive Garden? I can't see why this place could merit anything less than five stars every single time.
The Olive Garden offers tasty Italian dishes in a family-friendly setting, a casual atmosphere with service that's hard to beat!
Coming from Ontario (where we don't have any Olive Garden restaurants left, my wife and I would actually drive down to Amherst, NY to have dinner at the Olive Garden there from Kitchener and then drive back home) we really missed having a local Olive Garden. Now that we live in Calgary, we get to have an Olive Garden right in town, no more cross-border sojourns for yummy Italian food!
We came on a weekday December evening and there was already a lineup early in the evening (of course, since it is such a good place, we did expect a lineup) and we were told that we would have a 45 minute wait. Of course, we waited in the bar! Dave the bartender made my wife a Caesar and a non-alcholic Caesar for myself, the designated driver (don't drink and drive, people, I know it's the holiday season, but everything in moderation). My wife says it's the best Caesar she's ever had... so nothing better to do than to order another Caesar for her. Since Dave is very busy now behind the bar, Stephanie the server comes and brings another Caesar for my wife (just as good as the first, if there's anything we like about the Olive Garden, it is the continued pursuit of the consistency of their operation) and an iced tea for me (by the way, free refills for the iced tea). Next thing we know, exactly 45 minutes have elapsed, my wife has just finished her second Caesar and we get buzzed for a table. We are seated by Lindsey the hostess and the actual dinner, proper, commences!
My wife begins with a large 9oz glass of the Roscato (by the way, I love the large 9oz serving, sometimes a single 6oz glass is too little and two 6oz glasses - that is 12oz - is too much). I, of course, still have my iced tea with free refills. After much careful consideration and consultations with our server, my wife orders the Italian Feast with Cheese Ravioli with Marinara Sauce, Chicken Parm and Fettuccine Alfredo with a generous portion of their house salad. I order the classic Italian dish - the pride of Bologna - Spaghetti with Meat Sauce with the Pasta e Fagioli soup. Soup, salad and the famous Olive Garden breadsticks are on the table promptly - I love how the Darden restaurants have the timing of the meal service down to a science - and I end up having not one, not two but three orders of the excellent soup, and now comes the main courses. My wife loves her Italian Feast. I love the Spaghetti as well. Sadly my wife can't finish her meal, but we pack it up and it will be her lunch for the next day - two meals in one for her, what a deal! Before we know it we are leaving the restaurant very happy, and very full. From the time we sat down at our table to the time we leave the restaurant it is exactly 1 hour. Like I said, the place runs like clockwork, folks.
But the story doesn't end here.
As it turns out, my wife left her Apple iPhone in the restaurant. By the time we figure it out and head back, there are already other patrons sitting where we were sitting before. Lindsey the hostess, however, tracks down the Apple iPhone and returns it to us. I am grateful. So is my wife (it's her Apple iPhone after all). It was more excitement than we bargained for, but it all ended well thanks to the continued diligence of the committed and thoughtful staff of the Olive Garden always on the lookout for the customer's needs, whether we know it or not.
It's really the excellent service that makes the Olive Garden such as special place for special occasions, or maybe even it doesn't have to be a special occasion. If you're looking to have a fantastic casual Italian dining experience, there is no better time or better place to go than the Olive Garden. You'll be glad you did!
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