There are two things I hate about corporate run national restaurants. First of all the food sucks because it's frozen then nuked and second, their million dollar advertising and marketing takes business away from amazing places like Marcello's. I wander if people really believe that the Olive Garden sends their chefs to Italy.
Marcello's Pasta Grill is absolutely divine. If your're on a budget they have dine-in specials and a family takeout special that I get almost every Saturday night. It comes with salad, pasta and an entree for 4 (that's what they say but I feed 4 kids and 2 adults) and cost less than 30 bucks. I usually sit in the bar and have a glass of red wine and converse with regulars while I wait for my takeout. The bartender is fabulous and by the time I'm half way done with my glass the takeout is ready. As I get up to leave this guy gets the bus boy's attention in Italian to open the door as I leave. Always an awesome experience.