Olive Garden

08/01/08

Try the bar, because the drinks were okay, but only order the awful food after you are drunk and don't care.

by frayne at Citysearch

This was some of the worst food I have ever had in NYC, and I have lived here for just shy of 20 years. Honestly, I always have wanted to come to The Olive Garden since it was mentioned in the movie "Old School" by Will Farrell. What I hoped would be a campy experience with average food was far worse. The salad was crisp and freash and fine, too heavily dressed, but not good enough to ask for more (you are allowed unlimited salad.) the bread sticks were not good, like warm wonderbread. the spinach and artichoke dip appetizer was tasteless. my boneless rib dish had frozen greenbeans over what they claimed was risotto rice, but which had a consistency more like Uncle Bens rice. The meat did have a hint of the promised wine used in the braising. My wife's Shrimp Primavera contained those tiny shrimp which are always unsatisfying, but the worst part of the dish was a completely bland tomato-ash sauce and uncooked green peppers thrown in as the only vegetable part of this prima vera. our son ordered the macaroni and cheese from the children's menu. he is three. when shells (not macaroni) and cheese arrived it was not pleasant, (3 year olds are PICKEY!) and when the cheese sauce apparantly ended up actually being a plain white sauce with no cheese, we just could not believe it. NEVER AGAIN. Our waiter was nice enough and could tell that we were used to better food and sympathisized. Also, the margarita was good. we should have spent our $50 in gift certificates at the bar only.

• Pros: good margarita, kid friendly
• Cons: some of the worst food i have ever tried in my life.

06/17/09

So mad

by Moni112 at Citysearch

I live here in NYC and I can go to a million restaurants but last night the little girl from the suburbs (me) craved yummy salad and breadsticks from OG. We chose this location because it's walking distance. We walk in and the door slammed behind us because there is no stopper; we looked at the 3 hosts for about 30 seconds until 1 finally said hello and seated us. We then waited for not 5, not 10, but 15 minutes!!!!! to leave. A server NEVER came to the table! 3 were in our area and not 1 greeted us, said they would be with us shortly - NOTHING. During these 15 minutes the door kept slamming. The POOR service is for the obvious. The bad management is for not training your staff and for not fixing the slamming door. We will never go back.

• Pros: smelled good inside
• Cons: POOR service, bad management

Traditional dishes and all -you-can-eat salad, soup and bread sticks are the draw at this upscale-casual Italian restaurant.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Established in 1982, this chain gained a following for its laid-back atmosphere and generous portions. Patrons settle into comfortable booths and tables in dining rooms with plants, artwork and décor reminiscient of the villas in the Tuscan countryside. Starters include scampi, sausage or pepperoni pizza, and several soup choices, as well as a signature seafood dip (crab, shrimp, cheese and marinara). Entrees include classics like lasagna, fettuccine Alfredo and chicken parmigiana. There are also "Garden Fare" options, which promise 30 percent fewer calories.

03/17/08

I wasn't prepared...

by arturobandini at Citysearch

A friend thought it would be fun to go to the Olive Garden on 6th Ave for his birthday and we were all game. I like fine food but, heck, I'll eat Taco Bell as well and sometimes even enjoy airline food. Everything has it's place. However, I was not ready for how terrible the food at Olive Garden was. Even after allowing for the context (it's being a chain, etc.), the food was off the scale for even "bad" food. I cannot recommend it even for camp value.

11/02/06

Good location - Same great Olive Garden

by waseem at Citysearch

Okay, yes we live in New York, yes theres millions of Italian Restaurants...but sometimes you just want a big bowl of tasty salad and breadsticks comming your way, and a reasonably priced good food. Ergo Olive Garden. I happen to goto this location last night. It was a pleasant Olive Garden Experience. I am huge on service and my waitress was EXCELLENT...prompt drinks, appetizers, dinner etc..etc. I wouldn't go near the one in Time Square, this location is a tad more secluded. This restaurant met my Olive Garden criteria, and gave me exactly what I wanted.

• Pros: Great Service, Good Location

07/19/04

what a dissapointment

by jrodriguez at Citysearch

Our 11th year anniversary was ruined by very poor service this past Saturday July 17th. First of all, standing in front of the hosts face, she asked two other people if they needed help. Second, we waited about 1 hour to get our well done steaks, unbelivable! Our waitress was horrible! Did not ask us if everything was ok, did not offer to bring more salad or breast sticks (which are unlimited), and the place was bitterly cold. I will not come back here again, and do not recommend to anyone. I went to the one in Orlando Florida and was so happy that i decided to celebrate our anniversary here in ny. What a waste of our money and our time!

• Pros: good food
• Cons: , sevice very poor