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Photo: Olive Garden
According to Nation's Restaurant News, Olive Garden, the Italian chain known more for huge portions than upscale decor, is in the process of testing some "enhancement" in some of the older outposts. The chain has more than 730 locations in the U.S, but they're starting the remodel with a handful of outposts in Texas.
The new look? The company is calling it "Via Tuscany." Can't picture it? Think of that picturesque farmhouse in every golden-hued Hollywood flick about Italy. Brick, Cypress trees, upgraded seating, new window treatments, decorative shelving lined with painted plates and pottery -- what your Italian grandmother would design if she had a money to throw around.
Want to see before and after shots?
They're making it easy for customers to check out their new look with a website dedicated to the makeovers. Each redo takes about a month, but lovers of that never-ending pasta bowl special don't need to panic -- all of the renovation is done after closing hours, so all Olive Gardens will be open for business as usual while construction is underway.
The chain, which brings in a whopping $3 billion a year, wants to keep its look fresh -- and the company isn't stopping with Olive Garden. Sister brand Red Lobster has already given the Bar Harbor treatment to all of its outlets; LongHorn Steakhouse locations will do a revamp early next year.
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3-31-2011 @1:36PM gobo said... Maybe it's just me, but this doesn't exactly wow me. Olive Garden interiors aren't the snazziest, but at least they've got that Italian-home look to them -- the new remodels, with all the laquered walnut, look more like an 80s hotel restaurant than "Tuscany". All it needs is a lot of plants and we're back to the old 'fern bar' look. Maybe I have to see it in person....
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3-31-2011 @9:40PM Palmer said... But didn't they already do a remodel a couple of years ago?
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4-01-2011 @2:15AM bread angel said... A makeover is not what they need. The food is terrible, not well prepared or served. I tried it twice, but there will not be a third time. This is not Italian food or Italian-American food, it is corporate food. Find a good mom and pop Italian restaurant or, better yet--make it yourself.
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4-01-2011 @7:21AM Nick said... Thank you bread angel. My thoughts exactly. This place is always packed, and I am scratching my head as to why? I can make better spaghetti and better soup from scratch. I don't think the chefs actually TASTE what they are dishing out! Terrible food.
4-01-2011 @8:33AM spuds51 said... The only thing we order is the all-you-can-eat bread sticks and salad. Every other dish we've tried tasted like it came from a Chef boyardee can. Very disappointing, especially for the price.
4-01-2011 @9:14AM Sophie said... And WHY can't youy get salad without olive oil? Yes, I know it is the OLIVE garden but I like lettuce crisp not slithery
4-05-2011 @10:23PM Tom said... I stopped eating at Olive Garden when they discontinued the roasted pork loin. Everything else on the menu was less than stellar. My friends and I visit the smaller mom and pop type Italian resteraunts for true Italian meals. I have a friend who is from Italy and it is enjoyable to have him order in Italian for his wife and himself. He has also ordered meals for the others at the table that have had the cooks in the smaller places actually come out and thank him for ordering. Definately something you can not do at the glorified fast food 'Olive Garden.' I think of the olive Garden food as a type of fast food. McGreassers burgers are ok but try one at a place like Five Guy's and you will see the difference. Same with Italian foods.
4-01-2011 @12:18PM Jane T said... Why do chain restaurants spend so much money on decor when their food is so sub-par? I go to restaurants only if they either cook better than me or have an item that is too complicated to make at home, and if it isn't good, I never go back. I am always amazed and confounded when I drive past Olive Garden, or worse, Applebees, and see the parking lot full.
4-01-2011 @12:33PM Peter said... Agreed! Lousy food!
4-01-2011 @12:54PM ice said... What would one expect for a fast food place that is way over priced. FOOD sucks
4-01-2011 @12:59PM Camille said... Bread angel is correct..The awful , calorie, salt, heart stopping white sauce on everything..Made up names., you will never find in an Italian kitchen or good Italian restaurant here , especially not in Italy... places makes me ill............
4-01-2011 @7:44AM Grammamom said... Keep the chairs! The upholstered chairs with wheels... they're the best. Hard wooden chairs might "look" good but they aren't comfy!
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4-01-2011 @8:03PM Homer said... ...if the chairs are 'comfy,' folks linger, If folks linger..., there is less turnaround. Less turnaround equals less money.
Its an old "model" (the uncomfortable chair) but for these outfits that depend mainly on 'volume, it works. Send them a message. Stop going!! Its about time to search around for a 'good' restaurant - one with good food and good customer care
4-02-2011 @12:39PM Lesley said... Thats what I was thinking (about the chairs). The upholstered chairs look a lot better than the wooden ones, maybe just change the fabric so it matches the new look? Or get those high-backed upholstered chairs?
4-01-2011 @1:09PM Don said... I don't mind the food...the salad and breaksticks are my favorite...the spaghetti sauce needs work...but the interior (old or new) looks pretty much generic chain restaurant to me.
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4-01-2011 @7:48AM patti said... I wonder of it will improve the food. Olice garden food is loaded with salt fat and is premade. Then it's heated up and hrown at the masses. Horrible. There is nothing in that restauran that I would actually call italian food.
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4-01-2011 @8:46AM Juju said... I agree withyou completely. It's very difficult to find any "healthy" options on the Olive Garden menu. Most of the food is covered with cream/cheese based sauces. They'd be better off starting with a revision of the menu in lieu ot redecorating the building.
4-01-2011 @8:14AM me said... You may like the food, but others do, that is why it is so packed. To each his/her own. This is america, land of many other places to eat
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4-01-2011 @10:12AM sjoupmaker39 said... I agree. I like the food there and the two we go to are always packed, so many others seem to agree. And it's reasonable.
4-01-2011 @8:29AM kidds said... Ollie G's has a very nice and pleasant decor. However; decor only enhances the dining experience if you have good food as a companion. The Mom and Pop entrepreuners have the best foods than any of the restaurants food chains. I can go within a 5 mile radius of my house and all of these private restaurant owners make far better food of any type over any chain.
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