It's that time of year. Time for me to make my annual pilgrimage to Olive Garden for the never ending pasta bowl and slice of pumpkin cheesecake. I'm Italian and I know good Italian food when I see it. Olive Garden is your average run of the mill Italian restaurant. The selection is designed to please most palates. They have specials through out the year that are limited time only. They always offer you a free sample of the featured wine that day.
The never ending pasta bowl is what brings me in. It starts with an ample amount of pasta of your choice, there are several. You choose the sauce to top it with, there are about 5. I like the 5 cheese marinara sauce the best. If you want meat balls or sausage with it you will pay extra. Soup or salad and bread sticks come with this deal.The pasta is usually cooked perfectly. The sauces are hot. When you order seconds you get half the amount you did the first time. They used to have a bigger selection of pastas and sauces.
The pumpkin cheesecake is the best cheesecake I've ever had. It is a limited time deal only offered in fall. Well worth waiting a year for. If you have too much pasta, ask for a piece to go. You'll be glad you did.
The cost of the meal is higher than you would expect for an average Italian meal. but this seasonal deal makes up for it.