The Olive Garden

A Taste of Italy I am always hungry and looking for good restaurants to eat at. I have only a few standards that has to be met- not overly expensive, the food must be absolutely delicious for the set price and most importantly, I cannot be satisfied. I need to come back for more. Olive Garden, although a chain restaurant, is quite elegant. It is a good place to go on a dinner date with friends, a significant other or just with the family. Going there, one will enter into a nice brick/stone floor with pictures of Venice delicately painted onto the main wall that captures the essence of the mood. Looking on both sides you will note a nice dining area. Some guests are sitting open areas, looking as if they are eating outside on a nice sunshine day. For those who want more privacy, there are dinner tables beyond this peaceful area just for you and that special someone. Walking in you can smell the delicious food being cooked and notice how spotless the place is. The atmosphere just makes i ... more

A Taste of Italy I am always hungry and looking for good restaurants to eat at. I have only a few standards that has to be met- not overly expensive, the food must be absolutely delicious for the set price and most importantly, I cannot be satisfied. I need to come back for more. Olive Garden, although a chain restaurant, is quite elegant. It is a good place to go on a dinner date with friends, a significant other or just with the family. Going there, one will enter into a nice brick/stone floor with pictures of Venice delicately painted onto the main wall that captures the essence of the mood. Looking on both sides you will note a nice dining area. Some guests are sitting open areas, looking as if they are eating outside on a nice sunshine day. For those who want more privacy, there are dinner tables beyond this peaceful area just for you and that special someone. Walking in you can smell the delicious food being cooked and notice how spotless the place is. The atmosphere just makes it feel as if you are eating in Italy. The menu consists of everything that is good about Italian food. For lunch and dinner they have a variety of grilled Panini’s, deliciously filled pastas, so many kinds of pizza’s, soups and a variety of the ever so delicious pastas with shrimp or chicken in all kinds of sauce that make your appetite soar. Most notable and well liked is the Tour of Italy. On this dish you have homemade lasagna, lightly breaded chicken parmigiana and creamy fettuccine alfredo. Now, I was never one to have this Tour of Italy, but friends and family have told me it is absolutely delicious. The appetizers consist of seasonal favorites in cheese cakes, a variety of pies and gelatos. The children are not left out here. The child can pick anything from spaghetti to chicken fingers. Of course, they have the endless salad and bread sticks, their trademark. I eat here numerous times and enjoy the food greatly. The bread breadsticks have the perfect warm doughy goodness and the perfect amount of seasoning, while the salad has a variety of leafy greens devoured in the perfect amount of caesar dressing. I always get my favorite dish, the Seafood Alfredo. This delicious dish consists of linguini noodles smoldered in a creamy alfredo sauce topped with succulent shrimp and lightly sprinkled Italian herbs. It never disappoints and leaves me wanting more. To top it off is the desert. The numerous times I have been to this restaurant I always try a different dessert. None disappoint. The Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake is absolutely delectable and the Lemon Cream Cake is to die for. Their Torta di Chocolate, although yummy, is too overbearing with the chocolate. Either way Their service is very welcoming. The host is always smiling and nice. They always try to seat you as fast as possible. The waiter/waitress always looks pleased to serve you and is very chatty to make you feel warm and welcome and never rush you. That is usually the case. The last time I walked in to give them their service, I was very disappointed. The host was very frazzled and annoyed when my guest and I requested a booth. The waitress was very unfriendly. She never smiled, never made conversation, never looked you in the eye and rushed to get us finished with our meal. In addition she sloppily placed our plates down and talked so quietly you could not understand anything she said. There are numerous Olive Gardens throughout the United States. I dine at the one located at 1700 Crossing Drive, Wyomissing PA, 19610. They are open from 11am-10pm, except weekends, where they are open for service until 11pm. All in all, my experiences here have been very memorable with family, friends and loved ones. Most of us will never be fortunate enough to be able to take a tour to Italy and experience that culture. Every time I go into this restaurant I feel as if I am in Italy, eating their ever-so-famous Italian meals and experiencing memories that will last a lifetime. So if you ever want to be in Italy without being there, you should try The Olive Garden. It is tasteful and respects the Italian culture. less