For years now, I've heard people rave about this place. After finally having dinner here, I suppose my expectations were too high. After waiting ten minutes to have our empty glasses filled with water, an additional five minutes were required to receive menus. I could understand if the place were filled to capacity and the wait staff were truly busy, but my wife and I arrived at 4 PM for an early dinner and were seated immediately. I would estimate the restaurant to be at 30% capacity at most. The food was mediocre at best, definitely a disappointment for supposedly ""quality"" Italian food. The meal kicked off with a bite-sized salad that employed the technique of using large amounts of dressing to disguise the wilted lettuce. The main course fared no better. If you are under the impression that Italian cuisine is supposed to be spicy, be prepared for major disappointment. The meat sauce was so bland I felt cheated. I had to ""enhance"" the flavor with salt, pepper, and generous shakes of grated parmesan. My wife's Chicken Penne Pasta had a precious few slices of chicken breast buried underneath the marinara. If that was a whole chicken breast, then OSF should reprimand their poultry purveyor for the meager size of the birds they are being sold. My only conclusion as to the popularity of this establishment is that people are drawn in by the admittedly interesting building which houses it, and either A) have no idea how to make a half-decent meal at home, or B) have never tasted GOOD Italian food. Olive Garden (of all places!) puts this place to shame.
Pros: An architectural curiosity
Cons: Weak, unimpressive cuisine...slow, inattentive wait staff
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