Melissa Munoz
English 100
Restaurant Review
October 28, 2008
I...
Melissa Munoz
English 100
Restaurant Review
October 28, 2008
I picked a place close to home, inexpensive, and of course that I liked. It’s a very popular restaurant known around the United States. Even some famous stars still like to eat there, like Kendra from The Girls Next Door. She constantly compliments how she finds the food to be the best Italian food she has ever had. This restaurant is also known too for the slogan “when you’re here your family,” and if you haven’t guessed by now it’s Olive Garden. I believe there is only two in Bakersfield; I chose to go to the one on New Stine Road. The building appeared to seem old but not completely run down it still has that fancy restaurant look still going for them. From far away it’s not the greatest attention grabber with trees that almost cover it, and office buildings that make the restaurant apart of the office. The best thing for the restaurant though is apparently the food otherwise not so many would wait to find a parking space or wait outside to eat. The only thing that makes it stand out as a restaurant is the person outside, that’s it. There is of course the sign that also sticks out, but I believe the people are more the attention grabber since there is so many usually.
Speaking of seating it took about 20 minutes to get seated with a booth. Although it was a long wait the table was nicely prepared for two and the place settings were nicely in order as well. The silverware was wrapped like most, in a cloth napkin. The silverware was very clean with no spots or watermarks. It was a Friday night, so there of course were so many families and couples either celebrating a birthday, reunion, or just going out on a date. Even though there were so many the sound environment was not too loud nor to quiet, because I could perfectly hear my date’s voice from across the table. The interior of the restaurant created a theme of being in a grape garden with star benches and the bricks inside made to look like an old century building. The pillars covered with leaves and right in the middle is a huge square seating arrangement for big parties. What makes it different was that it was covered with an open canopy covered with grapes and leaves. The lighting all around was dim and had set a more relaxing atmosphere.
As my date and I ordered our food we were served with our drinks (tea and cola), and also complimentary breadsticks. The breadsticks were brought out in a basket, wrapped tightly like a little baby, or should I say babies. There was six warm and soft breadsticks in the basket just waiting for me to eat them, and then ask for more. Although they happened to be a tad greasy, the bread is fantastic to dip into any soup or pasta they have there. It’s also somewhat of a trap because I order the food I want and then snack on the breadsticks, and by the time my food comes I’m practically fool already from the breadsticks and can barely even make a dent in my pasta.
Not only did we get the breadsticks before our actual meal, but also with our meal we got a complimentary soup or salad. I chose the salad while my date chose the soup. I always laugh at how ridiculously big the bowl is for the salad. Its like the size to feed a family, I just don’t understand why they just don’t put it on the plate that I would actually be eating off of. It would just save them a lot of time and lettuce, but I guess they dare to be different. The soup was a sight to see, I didn’t try it but just the look alone reminded me of clam chowder, but watery. My date happened to like it; he said it had some meat in it and that he really wanted to learn how to make it, because he could eat it everyday if he could.
When our food finally arrived to our table my face dropped. My date had ordered a gigantic 16 dollar plate of Fettuccini Alfredo, Chicken, and Lasagna. The dish looked as if it could feed a whole family, but of course I left that comment to myself. The lasagna looked like a square building that was being drowned in meat sauce. Right in the middle was the Alfredo, which reminded me of a brain mountain. The chicken on the other side was a little hard to find under the brain mountain, but it too was drowning in meat sauce. I’m more of a “Plain Jane” type of girl, ordering the spaghetti with meat sauce. There’s not much to say what a plate of spaghetti looks like other than a million noodle snakes bleeding to death, but that never occurs to me until after I have finished my meal, three days later.
If you’re looking to experience the best Italian cuisine in Bakersfield, 1701 New Stine Rd is the place to...
If you’re looking to experience the best Italian cuisine in Bakersfield, 1701 New Stine Rd is the place to be. The Olive Garden will meet your highest expectations. The wait can be a little long, but as soon as you get seated and to eating you will see that the wait was worth the while. The aromas put a smile on your face as you enter the room. Everyone is very friendly and quick to attend you. Service is excellent. All waiters and waitresses are dressed very professional and present themselves very well. This place is just so welcoming.
The environment is perfect to take family or to go out in a group. They provide larger areas for larger groups and more private seating for special occasions. They also have a bar at the entrance of the restaurant. So if you’re looking to just go out and have a drink with some friends and maybe have a few appetizers then that’s certainly an option. Staying true to their roots; they play soft Italian music while you dine. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxing.
When it comes to the selection of different dishes, you don’t know what to choose. Everything on the menu sounds delicious. Needless to say, prices are very reasonable. I suggest you pick items from their classic dishes. You can’t go wrong. The Lasagna Classico and the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce have to be my favorite. The pasta is cooked to perfection and their tomato sauce is like no other. Their famous salad with breadsticks is a must! If you go to Olive Garden and don’t try the salad with breadsticks I assure you that you will regret it. Their unique tangy salad dressing will have you asking for more. You can go there and simply make a meal of just salad and breadsticks. They also provide children menus witch is nice. If you are not a fan of pastas they also offer dishes like Chianti Braised Short Ribs. Its boneless beef short ribs cooked in wine sauce served with portobello mushroom risotto and steamed vegetables. They also have a dish where you could build your own Pizza. You could choose from four different toppings and the meal comes with endless soup and salad. You really can’t beat that deal. The Minestrone soup is tasty. It consists of fresh vegetables, beans, and pasta in a light tomato broth. As for the drinks, they are big on wine. They have a very good selection. One of their most frequently asked for drinks is their peach iced tea. Not too sweet and not too sour, just right to accompany any dish. Their Italian Margarita also seems to be the costumer favorite. For desert I strongly suggest the Tiramisu. It’s the classic Italian dessert. A layer of creamy custard set atop espresso-soaked ladyfingers. It just melts in your mouth! This restaurant has become so popular that you don’t even have to leave your home to enjoy the variety of dishes. You can order to go! They couldn’t have come up with a better idea. They accommodate the costumer in every way possible. All in all the food is great, the service is excellent and the atmosphere is relaxing. The Olive Garden is a restaurant that will leave you speechless. I have taken family and friends and everyone has said the same thing. They can’t wait to go back, its food that everyone looks forward to. We use any special occasion as an excuse to go back, satisfy our hunger, and have fun.
I went to Olive Garden with my mom, my sister, and my brother for lunch. We went to the one located on New Stine and Ming. The first thing they ask you is “how many people?” Then they give you this vibrating circle with lights which turns on when your table is ready. When it vibrates a waiter shows you to your table. The place is nice and clean and everything runs smoothly. Since there were only three of us I will only talk about what we ordered.
I ordered theChicken Carbonara. Its chicken breasts sautéed with Bucatini pasta mixed with parmesan cream sauce, pancetta bacon, and seasoned Breadcrumbs. They also give complimentary breadsticks and salad or soup. When my plate arrived I just looked at it I didn’t know where to start. I started with the chicken. It was fancy, juicy and cut so perfectly that you didn’t want to mess it up. All it takes is one bite and you are hooked. The pasta was creamy cheesy and it exploded with flavor in your mouth with the pancetta bacon. You don’t see the bacon because of the pasta but you can feel it and taste it in your mouth. It was very colorful and happy.
My mom ordered Stuffed Chicken Marsala. Its oven roasted chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes with creamy marsala sauce and mushrooms, served with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes. This also comes with complementary breadsticks and a salad or soup. She said that she was impressed with the stuffed chicken because she has never seen or heard of stuffed chicken. She said it was creative, full with flavor, soft and tender. She didn’t like the mashed potatoes; she doesn’t know why exactly. She said that there was something about them which didn’t click.
My sister ordered Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo. Its grilled beef medallions drizzled with balsamic glaze served over fettuccine mixed with gorgonzola alfredo sauce and spinach. This also comes with complimentary breadsticks and soup or salad. She said that the meat was so bomb because once she put it in her mouth she couldn’t let go.It was full of flavor and cooked to her liking. She said that the pasta was awesome that it tasted like salad dressing. She just didn’t like how the pasta looked. She said it looked boring and could use a little more color not just green from the spinach
The salad that we had was the best. It was your basic salad but there was something that made it all different. We didn’t try the soups so we have no comments. The breadsticks looked so perfect in the napkin that was wrapped around them. They were very shiny and attractive. To the bite they were soft and just right.
The service was awesome the thing that we hated was that the waiter just took our food without asking like our drinks when he saw that they were halfway empty he took them away and gave us a full drink. My mom got annoyed with that. Overall the waiter was kind asked question even mingled a bit with us. The noise level was normal you could here your conversation and not someone else’s. The restaurant had warm lighting which makes it romantic for couples. There were trees and plants but no flowers. The tables didn’t have a center piece which made them look boring. The restaurant could use a surprise of color, but its ok with what they have done. We give Olive Garden an eight on a scale from one through ten. We definitely suggest you go there and order one of these dishes or any other.
I ordered theChicken Carbonara. Its chicken breasts sautéed with Bucatini pasta mixed with parmesan cream sauce, pancetta bacon, and seasoned Breadcrumbs. They also give complimentary breadsticks and salad or soup. When my plate arrived I just looked at it I didn’t know where to start. I started with the chicken. It was fancy, juicy and cut so perfectly that you didn’t want to mess it up. All it takes is one bite and you are hooked. The pasta was creamy cheesy and it exploded with flavor in your mouth with the pancetta bacon. You don’t see the bacon because of the pasta but you can feel it and taste it in your mouth. It was very colorful and happy.
My mom ordered Stuffed Chicken Marsala. Its oven roasted chicken breast stuffed with Italian cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes with creamy marsala sauce and mushrooms, served with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes. This also comes with complementary breadsticks and a salad or soup. She said that she was impressed with the stuffed chicken because she has never seen or heard of stuffed chicken. She said it was creative, full with flavor, soft and tender. She didn’t like the mashed potatoes; she doesn’t know why exactly. She said that there was something about them which didn’t click.
My sister ordered Steak Gorgonzola Alfredo. Its grilled beef medallions drizzled with balsamic glaze served over fettuccine mixed with gorgonzola alfredo sauce and spinach. This also comes with complimentary breadsticks and soup or salad. She said that the meat was so bomb because once she put it in her mouth she couldn’t let go.It was full of flavor and cooked to her liking. She said that the pasta was awesome that it tasted like salad dressing. She just didn’t like how the pasta looked. She said it looked boring and could use a little more color not just green from the spinach
The salad that we had was the best. It was your basic salad but there was something that made it all different. We didn’t try the soups so we have no comments. The breadsticks looked so perfect in the napkin that was wrapped around them. They were very shiny and attractive. To the bite they were soft and just right.
We have been solid customers for over two years and go at least once a month. Sometimes 3-4 times in a month.
We love the service, the staff, especially Diane is friendly,...
We have been solid customers for over two years and go at least once a month. Sometimes 3-4 times in a month.
We love the service, the staff, especially Diane is friendly, courteous and professional. We always feel welcome and are well taken care of. Diane knows our order as soon as we walk in the door.
Our favorites are the fonduta, melted cheese and bread, no compaints here. We also enjoy the pasta y fagoli, manicotti, ravioli and the occasional Mai Tai. The gelato is divine, chocolate and more and chocolate that just melts in your mouth.
The prices are relatively easy on the pocket book and we will remain loyal customers for years to come. Did I mention?... The staff is great, always!
