"Ironically, the thing we came here specifically for, we should have made at home. My wife has learned (by carbon copying their menu) how to make OG's Zuppa Toscana soup, and does a damn fine job of it! However, she didn't want to make it today, so the next best thing was to go to the source...right? Well, the soup was just...okay. All the ingredients were there, but the broth seemed watery, and lacking spice. My wife makes a far superior iteration. How does that happen? As for the rest of our visit, well...it was on par for what you'd expect from Olive Garden. We try to avoid big chain restaurants whenever possible; more often than not, they're just not worth it. Flash-frozen, reheated foods; kitschy, soulless décor, a bland and uninspired menu. You get the idea. We were seated immediately, which was a nice change and, as before, we split a Tour of Italy, the aforementioned bowl of the Zuppa Toscana, and of course, salad and breadsticks. Our server, Drew, was competent and attentive, and friendly enough in his interactions with us, although I felt like he was battling a bout of depression at the time. Believe me, I get it, man. I'd probably be depressed if I worked at the Olive Garden, too. Other than the mediocre soup, the food was, all-around, pretty darn good. I'm hoping not to make a habit out of coming here, as there are far better Italian restaurants in the area. But sometimes, you need that fast food Italian fix. It may be the McDonalds of Italian cuisine, but everyone eats (and enjoys) McDonalds, on occasion, whether or not we care to admit it. Call it a guilty pleasure, a moment of weakness, or a white trash extravagance; in the end, the result is the same: we left fat and happy, and with leftovers, despite splitting an entrée. I have no idea how anyone could finish a single order by themselves. Talk about carb overload! I guess that's why diabetes is a thing in this country."
Portobello Ravioli
