by Serenity Joy Miller- Foodie
For as long as I can remember, I have loved eating at the Olive Garden. I grew up in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and there was an Olive Garden right across the street from my school and church. My parents and I would enjoy dinner or weekend lunches there frequently, and my high school friends and I would venture across the street sometimes for quick weekday lunches.
When I first moved to Franklin, TN, the closest Olive Garden was in Antioch on Bell Road, and I did not drive out there very often. Then, a few years ago, they opened an Olive Garden in Spring Hill, which is only about a 15 to 20 minute drive from my house in Franklin. Needless to say, I was pretty excited about this new location.
With windows around the entire restaurant, sunlight streams in during the day providing an uplifting, warm, and welcoming atmosphere. There is not a dark table in the dining room. I eat at this Olive Garden several times a year, and I have never been disappointed. This time, I was seated in the “café,” which is really the bar area. There are about 8 booths and 10 or so seats around the bar top. I chose a seat at the bar, and the bartender, Stacey, immediately came over to take my drink order. She was very friendly and personable with an easygoing, humorous outlook on life. Stacey was also very efficient.
Now, let’s talk about the food. First of all, their salad and breadsticks are my favorite! I am not a fan of raw onions, so I usually ask the server to substitute extra tomatoes and black olives for the onions, and they have never had a problem doing that. The salad always tastes fresh and delicious with their signature Italian dressing. The breadsticks always come out warm and soft with just the right amount of butter and garlic seasoning.
On Saturday, I ordered Eggplant Parmigiana, which is accompanied by spaghetti with marinara sauce. I prefer angel hair pasta, so I usually ask them to substitute it for the spaghetti. The servers are always accommodating, and my meal comes out as ordered. The hand-breaded, lightly fried eggplant was topped with marinara and creamy, melted mozzarella cheese. There is always a slight crispness to the texture, and the savory cheese and sauce complement the eggplant perfectly. The angel hair was cooked al dente, and the tangy marinara sauce was flavored with a delightful combination of spices.
I would also recommend the following Olive Garden dishes: Seafood Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, Spaghetti with Meatballs, Fettuccine Alfredo, Ravioli di Portobello, the Tour of Italy, Pasta e Fagioli soup, and the Chocolate Mousse Cake. Be sure to check out their seasonal promotions from the Buy One Take One Entrée deal to the Never Ending Pasta Bowl special.
The Olive Garden is located along U.S. Highway 31 (Columbia Pike) in The Crossings of Spring Hill shopping center. The address is 1098 Crossings Circle, and there are many stores around the restaurant, including PetSmart, Kirkland’s, Kohl’s, and Super Target. Visit www.olivegarden.com for directions, to peruse the menu, or to order food to go.
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