Olive Garden

For years I've heard people rave about Olive Garden. I'd been here
several times and just didn't care for the place, but that was 10 or so
years ago. It was a gift certificate that forced me in here again, just to
make me reevaluate my position. Their was never an issue with their
soft Garlic Bread Sticks and Bottomless Salad, they obviously hit gold
with these two items, but pair those bread sticks with a side of their
Alfredo Dipping Sauce and things start looking mighty promising. The
place seems to have an old Italian feel that I hadn't noticed before
with the walls cracked and aged and bare bulbs hanging from the open
wood beam ceiling. If it weren't for the carelessly dressed diners I
might not know I was in a chain restaurant. Shortly after being seated
a young woman came to the table asking if I'd like to sample their
Reunite Lambrusco, I was more than up for some dining with my three
children. It wasn't a fine wine by any means, but I loved the
carbonated fruity taste. I even looked for it at the market later the
next week. There are many appetizers to choose from and I was
pleased with the only one I tried, the San Remo Seafood Dip with a
blend of cheeses, chopped crab and shrimp baked with marinara sauce
and served with Tuscan bread slices. I also highly recommend their
delicious Zuppa Toscana soup, with a slightly creamy stock chock full
of potatoes, Italian sausage and wilted greens. I usually order one to-
go for lunch the next day. I was most surprised by how much better
their entrees were. The Lasagna was cheesy and moist while the
Chicken Vino Bianco was just as good with a moist and flavorful
chicken breast set on a bed on linguine with red onions, mushrooms
and a white wine butter sauce. The Cannelloni al Forno was the only
thing I liked years ago and was still just as good with three crepes
filled with ground beef, chicken and veal, topped, with bechamel and
marinara sauces. A new menu item, the Crab & Shrimp Ravioli had a
perfectly prepared pasta, so tender, but the filling and butter sauce
were so light that it didn't keep my interest. As tender as their raviolis
are, though, I'm very interested in trying other ravioli selections.
Finally Olive Garden offers pizza and the Chicken Alfredo Pizza was
tasty with a thick and fluffy crust, chopped chicken, alfredo cream
sauce and scallions. We thought our addition of chopped tomatoes
tasted even better on this one. Though their wines are most affordable
their printed suggestions, which compliment each entree is handy for
those who don't aren't versed in this area. If that doesn't interest you,
the Bellini Iced Tea, mixed with peach nectar and the Italian Cream
Soda's, are both tasty, but very sweet. All in all I felt much better
about dining here, even anxious to try more dishes. I think the fierce
competition between chain restaurants has been positive for
consumers. It use to be we had to choose between inexpensive dining
or great food and it seems that the Olive Garden is cashing in on both.

Located at 460 Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino.

Telephone (909) 381-2747