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.
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