Olive Garden in Mentor, Ohio
I went to Olive Garden with a youthful companion on Thursday August 9, 2007. We arrived at approximately 1:15 PM and were told there would probably be a 15 minute wait. I found that to be outrageous for that time of day and looked toward the relatively empty bar. I asked, knowing the answer already, if there were full service at the bar to which I was answered in the affirmative. D and I sat down and were immediately acknowledged by Kevin the tender. Although he was busy with making drinks it was quite impressive that he did not dismiss us but made sure we knew that HE knew we were there. (Hard to follow but I am sure you get what I mean.) Anyway, we ordered drinks and by the time he returned with those, appropriate time, we were ready to order. I ordered the Seafood Alfredo while D ordered the Chicken Scampi. We were then quickly presented with our unlimited breadsticks and salad. I do not like pre-dressed salad, although the house dressing is not horrible, nor do I like the bread sticks. The sticks, I feel, are much too salty and not very garlicy. I would much prefer plain crusty bread with butter. I also ordered some stuffed mushrooms which were only mediocre. They had very little flavor. In fact, the mushrooms had more flavor than the stuffing which should tell you something.
Our food came out in the perfect amount of time and was piping hot. I got the lunch size, which was plenty with the bread and salad, as did my companion. D was happy with is meal and even found it was too much to eat at one sitting, not an easy concept when dealing with a sixteen year-old male. He said he often does not like Angel-hair pasta but it was good with the chicken.
My dish, at first, looked disappointing. The shrimp, though not QUITE as small as salad shrimp, were tiny and I feared tough tasteless little beasts. I was happily surprised that was not the case. In fact the shrimp and the scallops were done to perfection. The Alfredo, though not as strong as I would like it, allowed for the flavor of the seafood to come through well.
Our check was presented as we completed our meal and the server/bartender kept checking to ensure we wanted nothing else. He thanked us for coming and seemed very sincere. Kudos to Kevin P.
One problem. There seemed to be an incredible amount of people milling about on the other side of the bar doing a whole lot of nothing. I hate almost nothing more than employees standing around staring and ACTING as if they are doing something. When I had to ask for an extra carry-out container, because one of ours was leaking, it took me five minutes to do so. (Kevin is in no way at fault for this because he was not one of the people milling about. In fact, when I did ask someone, he acted as if I had just asked him to recite the Constitution. Come one, now. I only asked you to get me another container, which I would have gotten myself if I could have reached it. I hate it when a good experience turns into not so wonderful at the very end. Find somewhere to put all of your extra staff and tell those that must be in the front to act like they know something when asked.
Our food came out in the perfect amount of time and was piping hot. I got the lunch size, which was plenty with the bread and salad, as did my companion. D was happy with is meal and even found it was too much to eat at one sitting, not an easy concept when dealing with a sixteen year-old male. He said he often does not like Angel-hair pasta but it was good with the chicken.
My dish, at first, looked disappointing. The shrimp, though not QUITE as small as salad shrimp, were tiny and I feared tough tasteless little beasts. I was happily surprised that was not the case. In fact the shrimp and the scallops were done to perfection. The Alfredo, though not as strong as I would like it, allowed for the flavor of the seafood to come through well.
Our check was presented as we completed our meal and the server/bartender kept checking to ensure we wanted nothing else. He thanked us for coming and seemed very sincere. Kudos to Kevin P.
One problem. There seemed to be an incredible amount of people milling about on the other side of the bar doing a whole lot of nothing. I hate almost nothing more than employees standing around staring and ACTING as if they are doing something. When I had to ask for an extra carry-out container, because one of ours was leaking, it took me five minutes to do so. (Kevin is in no way at fault for this because he was not one of the people milling about. In fact, when I did ask someone, he acted as if I had just asked him to recite the Constitution. Come one, now. I only asked you to get me another container, which I would have gotten myself if I could have reached it. I hate it when a good experience turns into not so wonderful at the very end. Find somewhere to put all of your extra staff and tell those that must be in the front to act like they know something when asked.
posted by johnathan e at 9:52 AM
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