[FOOD] Olive Garden

An article in USA Today (12/17/00) is titled Italian expert turns nose up at fare.

The article begins

Italian cooking expert Marcella Hazan, whose books have sold more than 1 million copies worldwide, accepted USA TODAY's invitation to a meal at Olive Garden. She was joined by her husband, Victor, an expert on Italian wine and food. The idea: to gauge the company's claim of offering "a genuine Italian dining experience."

SARASOTA, Fla. — What's wrong with Italian cooking in America?

Too much garlic, too little salt and much of what's on the menu at Olive Garden, says Marcella Hazan.

[...]

The article goes on to detail Hazan's comments on the soup, the pasta, the entrees.

I've eaten at an Olive Garden ... once. The only reason I'd return would be for a retirement lunch or similar event where the organizers wanted a restaurant with a menu most people could choose from that could put warm food in front of a number of people quickly.