To: Lou Decruss

> We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden. It's been at least 10
> years since I've been to one because it sucks. To use the cards up
> we're taking another couple out tonight. I'm looking forward to
> spending time with our friends, but not the food. Anyone know what's
> the most edible thing on the menu? Otherwise I'll just order a salad
> to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>

They actually have some decent food for a chain rectauraunt. Mom likes the
Lasagne Rollatini (which is nothing but rolled italian stuff in a lasagne
noodle) it was pretty good and reasonable. You should be able to enjoy food
and drinks for two people with that card along with a nice desert.

The olive garden here in Louisville, KY has gotten a lot better through the
years. At one time they had an awesome grilled italian sausage that was served
with an assortment of grilled veggies on a bed of wonderfully marinated
capellini. They don't have that on the menu anymore.

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Allen Prunty wrote:

>
> The olive garden here in Louisville, KY has gotten a lot better through the
> years. At one time they had an awesome grilled italian sausage that was served
> with an assortment of grilled veggies on a bed of wonderfully marinated
> capellini. They don't have that on the menu anymore.
>



The first time we went to Olive Garden they had real veal and
shrimp on the menu. The third time we went they had neither.
Their place had been usurped by chicken dishes. It's the
last time we were there, quite a few years ago.

gloria p

Puester wrote:

> Allen Prunty wrote:
>
> > The olive garden here in Louisville, KY has gotten a lot better through the
> > years. *At one time they had an awesome grilled italian sausage that was served
> > with an assortment of grilled veggies on a bed of wonderfully marinated
> > capellini. *They don't have that on the menu anymore.
>
> The first time we went to Olive Garden they had real veal and
> shrimp on the menu. *The third time we went they had neither.
> Their place had been usurped by chicken dishes. *It's the
> last time we were there, quite a few years ago.


The shrimp at those chain joints tends to be more along the line of
processed shrimp *bits* or tiny brine shrimp. A few years back the
most awful meal I ever had was at a Joe's Crab Shack here in Chicawgo
(now mercifully gone); ordered a fried shrimp thingie, it was a few
breaded bits 'o shrimp on top of a HUGE bed of greasy french
fries...it got sent back in disgust (I had them make me a hamburger,
lol).

If I have a fried shrimp jones I go to a cheap Chinese BBQ place near
me (Sun Wah BBQ in Chicago's Uptown nabe) and order the fried shrimp
appetizer for $5.25. you get eight nicely done shrimp in a light
batter, I'll often add the fried scallop app too, $5.25 gets you a
nice serving, add an order of stir - fried Chinese veg in oyster sauce
for $3.75 and with a coupla beers and tip two can gorge for just over
$20.00. By myself the shrimp along with a big bowl of $4.00 wonton or
noodle soup or lo mein noodles is less than $10.00. They have all
kinds of cheap and delish seafood and fish. Puts any chain place to
shame...


IIRC a year or so ago someone on a food board mentioned that Red
Lobster was now using surimi in some of it's "lobster" dishes, it
figures...


--
Best
Greg

"Lou Decruss" > wrote in message
...
>
> We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden. It's been at least 10
> years since I've been to one because it sucks. To use the cards up
> we're taking another couple out tonight. I'm looking forward to
> spending time with our friends, but not the food. Anyone know what's
> the most edible thing on the menu? Otherwise I'll just order a salad
> to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
>
> Thanks for and advice,
>
> Lou

The only thing I like from OG is the Pasta Fagiole soup. It's delicious, spiced just
right, and doesn't leave you feeling a sudden urge to become a bulimic.

kimberly

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:58:56 -0800, "Nexis" > wrote:

> It's delicious, spiced just
>right, and doesn't leave you feeling a sudden urge to become a bulimic.
>
>kimberly

Interesting way to put it.

Lou

On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:26:12 GMT, Lou Decruss > wrote:

>
>We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden. It's been at least 10
>years since I've been to one because it sucks. To use the cards up
>we're taking another couple out tonight. I'm looking forward to
>spending time with our friends, but not the food. Anyone know what's
>the most edible thing on the menu? Otherwise I'll just order a salad
>to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
>
>Thanks for and advice,
>
>Lou

If they don't serve Dr. Pepper, just eat salad and breadsticks. Dr.
Pepper would go well with their cannelloni (if they still serve it). I
haven't been there in years either. I prefer our local Italian
restaurant.

On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:02:28 -0600, Sqwertz >
wrote:

>On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:26:12 GMT, Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>> We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden. It's been at least 10
>> years since I've been to one because it sucks. To use the cards up
>> we're taking another couple out tonight. I'm looking forward to
>> spending time with our friends, but not the food. Anyone know what's
>> the most edible thing on the menu? Otherwise I'll just order a salad
>> to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
>
>Olive Garden GC's can be used at any Darden restaurant. I would
>pick Longhorn or Capital Grille, if you have those near you.
>
>http://darden.com/

We didn't have much time to plan and time wise this worked out. But
thanks.

Lou

Sqwertz wrote:

> Olive Garden GC's can be used at any Darden restaurant. I would
> pick Longhorn or Capital Grille, if you have those near you.
>
> http://darden.com/
>
> -sw
Capital Grille gets good reviews from what I've read on Chowhound.

Goomba38 > wrote:

>Sqwertz wrote:

>> Olive Garden GC's can be used at any Darden restaurant. I would
>> pick Longhorn or Capital Grille, if you have those near you.

>Capital Grille gets good reviews from what I've read on Chowhound.

I would go to the one in Dallas, back when there were about
six total. If you're happy with commercial beef they are very
good.

I have no idea how many of them there are now, or whether the
quality has held up.

Steve

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
. ..
> Sqwertz wrote:
>
>> Olive Garden GC's can be used at any Darden restaurant. I would
>> pick Longhorn or Capital Grille, if you have those near you.
>>
>> http://darden.com/
>>
>> -sw
> Capital Grille gets good reviews from what I've read on Chowhound.

DH ate at the one in Houston a few years back and thought it was good.
Pretty much on par with places like Ruth's Chris, Morton's, Flemings, etc.
(they all seem the same to me).

Mary

On Feb 17, 9:19*pm, Goomba38 > wrote:

> Capital Grille gets good reviews from what I've read on Chowhound.

Just returned from Las Vegas and had lunch there. I had the lobster/
crab burger. Wow...it was incredible.
Added the onion straws and of course, it came with home made potato
chips. Followed it up with their coconut creme cake for dessert.
Memorable, to say the least.

My accountant had the dry aged Filet and it was fork tender. They
just do it right.

On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 20:11:59 GMT, "Michael \"Dog3\""
> wrote:

>Lou Decruss > dropped this
: in rec.food.cooking
>
>>
>> We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden. It's been at least 10
>> years since I've been to one because it sucks. To use the cards up
>> we're taking another couple out tonight. I'm looking forward to
>> spending time with our friends, but not the food. Anyone know what's
>> the most edible thing on the menu? Otherwise I'll just order a salad
>> to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
>
>Lou, Steven was given a $50 OG card a couple of years ago. I've never
>liked Olive Garden much but their salad and breadsticks are good. IIRC
>Steven said his pasta was passable. Can't recall what he had. We went for
>lunch and I had salad and 4, 5 or maybe it was 6 bloody marys. I napped
>lunch off the rest of the afternoon IIRC.

LOL. Bloody Marys will do that.

Lou

In article 1>,
"Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:

> Steven said his pasta was passable. Can't recall what he had. We went for
> lunch and I had salad and 4, 5 or maybe it was 6 bloody marys. I napped
> lunch off the rest of the afternoon IIRC.
>
> Michael

I think the technical term for that is "passed out."

--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://www.jamlady.eboard.com;pics of my no-knead bread posted
Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Melba's Jammin' wrote:
> In article 1>,
> "Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:
>
>> Steven said his pasta was passable. Can't recall what he had. We went for
>> lunch and I had salad and 4, 5 or maybe it was 6 bloody marys. I napped
>> lunch off the rest of the afternoon IIRC.
>>
>> Michael
>
> I think the technical term for that is "passed out."
>
LOL... you don't know how funny *that* is about now...
I've been mixing the last of my killer limoncello with light orange
juice. Deadly.
<shakes head to clear fog>

> I've been mixing the last of my killer limoncello with light orange
> juice. Deadly.
> <shakes head to clear fog>

yeah, i'd have to mix something with limoncello to gag it down, also. lived
around sorrento italy for a while, which seems to be the epicenter of
limoncello. seems every meal bill was accompanied with a small glass. gak.

your tastes may be different. joe

just joe wrote:

> yeah, i'd have to mix something with limoncello to gag it down, also. lived
> around sorrento italy for a while, which seems to be the epicenter of
> limoncello. seems every meal bill was accompanied with a small glass. gak.
>
> your tastes may be different. joe

Yup, they are!

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:28:13 -0500, Goomba38 >
wrote:

>just joe wrote:
>
>> yeah, i'd have to mix something with limoncello to gag it down, also. lived
>> around sorrento italy for a while, which seems to be the epicenter of
>> limoncello. seems every meal bill was accompanied with a small glass. gak.
>>
>> your tastes may be different. joe
>
>Yup, they are!

Goomba, are you going to make another batch of Limoncello?
What was your general impression of this recipe/batch?

Christine, who still has limoncello in her freezer

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 03:39:21 GMT, "Michael \"Dog3\""
> wrote:

>Goomba38 > dropped this
: in rec.food.cooking
>
>> LOL... you don't know how funny *that* is about now...
>> I've been mixing the last of my killer limoncello with light orange
>> juice. Deadly.
>> <shakes head to clear fog>
>
>Oh Gawd how I miss the days... *sigh* I'm currently drinking some raspberry
>flavored tea with lemon ;(
>

You're alcohol free these days? You have my sympathy!

--
See return address to reply by email
remove the smiley face first

"Michael "Dog3"" > wrote
> I have been for 2+ years now. I can give you the exact date I was warned
> about drinking, drank anyway and then went to the dry out tank
>

Well no wonder your panties get into a wad so fast.

Melba's Jammin' wrote:

> In article 1>,
> *"Michael \"Dog3\"" > wrote:
>
> > Steven said his pasta was passable. *Can't recall what he had. *We went for
> > lunch and I had salad and 4, 5 or maybe it was 6 bloody marys. *I napped
> > lunch off the rest of the afternoon IIRC.
>
> > Michael
>
> I think the technical term for that is "passed out."


The Brit term is "****ed" which is also pretty accurately
descriptive...

;-D


--
Best
Greg

Michael "Dog3" wrote:

> Lou, Steven was given a $50 OG card a couple of years ago. I've never
> liked Olive Garden much but their salad and breadsticks are good. IIRC
> Steven said his pasta was passable. Can't recall what he had. We went for
> lunch and I had salad and 4, 5 or maybe it was 6 bloody marys. I napped
> lunch off the rest of the afternoon IIRC.
>
> Michael
>

I recall the breadsticks as being tasteless, warm, soggy and salty.
Nothing like I would serve as "garlic bread"....<shrug>

I like my garlic bread crusty, toasted under the broiler with a little
butter, a little garlic powder (if not mixed previously with the butter)
some parmesan and a bit of oregano.

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:22:27 -0500, Goomba38 >
wrote:

>Michael "Dog3" wrote:
>
>> Lou, Steven was given a $50 OG card a couple of years ago. I've never
>> liked Olive Garden much but their salad and breadsticks are good. IIRC
>> Steven said his pasta was passable. Can't recall what he had. We went for
>> lunch and I had salad and 4, 5 or maybe it was 6 bloody marys. I napped
>> lunch off the rest of the afternoon IIRC.
>>
>> Michael
>>
>
>I recall the breadsticks as being tasteless, warm, soggy and salty.
>Nothing like I would serve as "garlic bread"....<shrug>
>
>I like my garlic bread crusty, toasted under the broiler with a little
>butter, a little garlic powder (if not mixed previously with the butter)
>some parmesan and a bit of oregano.

If their bread sticks were salty at least they would have some taste.

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sf wrote:

>> I like my garlic bread crusty, toasted under the broiler with a little
>> butter, a little garlic powder (if not mixed previously with the butter)
>> some parmesan and a bit of oregano.
>
> If their bread sticks were salty at least they would have some taste.
>
LOL, true.. sad but true.
Olive Garden has lousy bread. No yeasty bread flavor or anything
remarkable. Just a kind of oily, soft garlic flavored bit of nothing.
I'm seriously UNimpressed.

On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 00:53:18 GMT, jay > wrote:

>On Sat, 16 Feb 2008 16:26:12 GMT, Lou Decruss wrote:
>
>> We've got $80 in gift cards for Olive Garden. It's been at least 10
>> years since I've been to one because it sucks. To use the cards up
>> we're taking another couple out tonight. I'm looking forward to
>> spending time with our friends, but not the food. Anyone know what's
>> the most edible thing on the menu? Otherwise I'll just order a salad
>> to be social and drink myself silly. <eg>
>>
>> Thanks for and advice,
>>
>> Lou
>
>The only time I have been there the only things that looked *edible* wasn't
>on the menu.

There were many hotties there, but at my age I'm sure they didn't
notice me. <sigh>

Lou