Florida Villas and Vacation Rentals
Olive Garden. A Family Meal To Remember.
Olive Garden restaurants are plentiful both in and around Orlando, Florida. The Italian restaurant chain is fairly unique in that it is not a franchised chain of restaurants, and therefore patrons are likely to have a slightly different dining experience in any one of the many Olive Garden restaurants. With so many diverse dining opportunities around though why choose Olive Garden? Well having been to Orlando on numerous occasions, my family and I decided to find out just how good these popular Italian restaurants really are.
Hwy 192 in Orlando is a bustling procession of shops, attractions and restaurants including Olive Garden. So prior to leaving Prime Outlets on International Drive, we used our Tom Tom to identify an Olive Garden restaurant which was en route to our Florida Villa on Westridge.
We were soon on our way to 5021 Irlo Bronson Hwy (Hwy 192), the location of our first ever Olive Garden Dining eperience. Like so many others, my family party consists of two adults and two children (aged 14 and 11 years). Identifying an Olive Garden restaurant, is very easy in deed, thanks in the main to the towering signs which are present at the majority of Olive Garden restaurants which I have see within the Orlando area.
Turning into the dedicated car park area, I noticed that both the restaurant and the grounds were clean, tidy and very well maintained. As a first impression Olive Garden started off well. Entering the reception, we were greeted by a member of staff, who promptly led us to our table. Each member of staff was very well presented in formal uniform, which complemented the interior, complete with a tasteful Italian theme. Fully air-conditioned it soon become apparent that there were many American patrons, suggesting that Olive Garden was not simply aimed at attracting the many international tourists who flock to Orlando each year.
As in all restaurants, the air was free of smoke and the tables were pleasantly laid out complete with a full complement of cutlery and cotton napkins. The service was very quick, and having introduced herself very politely, our waitress Denise took the unusual, but very helpful opportunity to ask if we had visited an Olive Garden restaurant previously. Explaining that it was our first visit Denise took time to explain the menu in full, a worthwhile process as every main meal comes complete with a salad or soup, with complimentary seconds if required.
Whilst considering the very comprehensive menu, which offers not only Italian cuisine but a fine choice of other meals including those suitable for vegetarians, children and those who like myself prefer a more traditional meal (mixed grill), we ordered drinks which consisted of a glass of wine for my wife (after having two complimentary tasters of the house wines) and three soft drinks which like many American restaurants come with free refills. The sitting back we placed our orders and relaxed in our surroundings.
Our starters soon arrived and consisted of a variety of tasters, such as ravioli, chicken strips and stuffed mushrooms. Much to my satisfaction, the chicken was not processed unlike many other chicken dishes we have had from various other restaurants in Orlando. The other tasters where also very nice indeed, not to mention fresh.
As in all good Orlando restaurants, our plates where quickly removed after finishing our starters, and with fresh drinks we sat in anticipation of our main meals complete with our choice of soups.
First to arrive where the bread rolls, these where not just ordinary bread rolls though, no, they where lightly flavoured with garlic. Soft and obviously very fresh, they where a great compliment to the soup.
So to the main course and what a main course it was. My wife and children all chose a typical Italian meal, each of which more than ample in size, and as I was told afterwards extremely flavoursome, and far better than what they considered to be ‘the run of the mill’ Orlando restaurant. As for my meal, it arrived on a plate the size of which was comparative to that which we use for our Christmas turkey. It was huge, and to my amazement, it was almost full with a fine array of potatoes, vegetables and of course meat. Both the chicken and beef had been grilled to perfection. The chicken simply melted in my mouth, whilst the beef was only just slightly pink in the middle. In my opinion the perfect way to serve red meat. It was one of the best meals I have ever had whilst on holiday in Florida.
With each of the servings, came a little more polite conversation with Denise. A nice change to the normal busy waiter or waitress, who has so may tables to serve, that they hardly have time to take your order. Olive Garden provide a level of service and cuisine, which in my opinion is far above the likes of Bob Evans, Dennys, Cracker Barrel and the rest of the main stream restaurants, which line Hwy 192. And yes I have eaten at each of those other restaurants mentioned.
The only negative, was that our table for four was on the small side, although no different to the other similar tables. As for desert, well that will have to wait until next time, because the portions at Olive Garden are very considerable, and no I am not a size zero! So to the bill or cheque as it is in America. Having eaten in a number of different establishments during our 4-week stay in Orlando, the average bill was around $85 (£44.73), and none of those included any alcoholic beverages, unlike on his occasion which included two glasses of wine.
The bill was brought to our table along with some complimentary chocolates. The total for our meal including tax, was $90.53 (£47.64)
As a result of my dining experience at Olive Garden, I would have no reservation in recommending this fine Italian restaurant to anyone looking for good quality food, served in clean comfortable surroundings and at a very reasonable price.
Olive Garden offer a level of service and produce which is without a doubt one of the best in Orlando.
Find your nearest Olive Garden Italian Restaurant in Kissimmee and Davenport, Orlando.
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