Last month I ate at Olive Garden. I had stuffed chicken parmigian with pasta fagioli & tiramisu. A week later I was 1000 miles away from home & my friend took me to an Olive Garden near his home. I had the same meal, in the same boothe, next to the same photo & I swear I may have had the same waiter. There's something eerie about that in my book. Almost like pod people are taking over the restaurant industry. Waitstaff with the personalities of "Alice" & "Flo" have been replaced by the Stepford Waiters of corporate America. No individuality, just "hospitaliano". The food is good (I think the Pasta Fagioli is the BEST I've ever had.)& so is the service. Nothing unexpected & nothing you don't pay for. If playing it safe is your thing then Olive Garden is a good bet. If you like driving in the slow lane of the AAA approved highway going just under the speed limit on yor way to buy blue chip stock in time to be homje fro your mid-day nap...then go to Olive Garden. But for those of us who like the scenic route & live life by the seat of our pants...We'll see you in the rearview mirror.    [28 Sep 2001 07:27:34]

Food:    Service:    Ambiance:    Overall: 
Recommended Dishes: Pasta Fagioli.

     ­Ruth Colby, Sarasota, FL   cdcolby at hotmail dot com