Olive Garden
L/2 South Entertainment Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OliveGardenPhilippines
Open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Sunday
(SPOT.ph) A brown signage greets you; open the door and you’re welcomed by the aroma of breadsticks—in all their garlicky, buttery glory—wafting through the air. That’s right: after months of waiting, Italian-American chain Olive Garden has made it to the Philippines. They open their first local branch at the SM Mall of Asia on September 12—and to ready your systems for the upcoming carbfest, we’ve got the lowdown on some of the must-try dishes from their PH menu.
Also read: Here's Where Olive Garden Is Opening Their First Two Branches in the PH
American Italian restaurant Olive Garden is opening soon and here are the must-tries:
Olive Garden’s unmistakeable brown-and-olive green color scheme and stone walls will be a familiar sight for anyone who’s stepped into their premises in the U.S. They go for a similar look here, albeit with ample lighting to brighten up the space during the day.
The American icon has long been a go-to in the States for their accessible, always-comforting Italian-American fare. Go ahead and bring your friends and fam here; not only is the ambience as cozy and welcoming as it gets, there’s also a wide range of eats on the menu to satisfy everyone from your picky-eater nephew to your booze-downing college orgmates to your balikbayan uncle. (No shame for noshing solo either, if that’s your thing.) Whoever you’re dining with, no food unites quite like Olive Garden’s signature appetizer, the breadsticks. They arrive warm to the touch with the telltale fragrance of butter; sink your teeth in and you’re met with a pillowy interior that makes it hard to stop at one piece.
Should you feel the need for alcohol to help loosen up, Olive Garden’s got boozy sips that include classics like the Italian Margarita and Peach Bellini—both sweet, fruity, and perfect paired with the crisp Shrimp Frito Misto. Alternatively, you can vivify your palate in between bites with the non-alcoholic Hibiscus Butterfly Tea—which features a two-toned look and delivers a bright, refreshing sip.
Olive Garden’s House Salad is as classic as it gets, with lettuce, tomatoes, and red onions jiving together with a tangy, garlicky dressing plus croutons for added crunch. On the more warming end of the starter spectrum are soups like the Zuppa Toscana, a feisty soup of sausage, kale, and potatoes combo with a peppery profile and a touch of heat; and the Chicken & Gnocchi, which is practically a warm hug in a bowl with a creamy base and chewy gnocchi for textural contrast. There is the option to have cheese grated on top, too; do it.
Before you go ham on those breadsticks, be sure to allot stomach space for Olive Garden’s pasta dishes. Leave those carb aversions at the door (not that they’re inherently bad for you in the first place) as plates come generous and feature pasta cooked al-dente. The Chicken Alfredo is one of the brand's cult classics; this creamy, decidedly decadent number comes topped with a relatively lean cutspiece of chicken, which helps break from the richness of the white sauce. The SPOT.ph team’s top pick, though, goes to the Fettuccine with Creamy Mushroom Sauce—which is similarly creamy, but has the added earthiness from mushrooms for added depth.
Things starting to feel a tad too heavy? Tuck into the Grilled Chicken Margherita, a lighter, Mediterranean-leaning option with grilled chicken breast (one that retains a moist interior, too) paired with zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and a pesto-esque sauce for an herbaceous boost. And for dessert, you’ll find Italian-style treats like the Zeppoli—essentially doughnuts, done the Italian way and served warm with a chocolate dip—as well as crowd pleasers like the Mango Cheesecake.
Though a foreign chain, there’s a sense of comfort and familiarity to Olive Garden—maybe it’s the warmth of the servers, the generous portions, or the tried-and-tested flavor profiles. Whatever it is, you’re bound to leave the place not just with physical fullness in your stomach, but also a happy heart.
Photos by Majoy Siason
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