The long-delayed opening pushed through at last!
Italian-American restaurant chain Olive Garden is finally on Philippine soil. It’s located at the South Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.
As is usually the case for first-in-the-Philippines restaurants, expect long lines. Yes, even during off-peak hours. That’s why it pays to prepare. Here’s how.
Inside Olive Garden PH
Look no further if you’re craving chicken parmigiana, lasagna, and house salad. Olive Garden is one of the biggest restaurant chains in the US. It has 900 stores worldwide, the latest of which is right here in our country. The Bistro Group brought it to the Philippines. They did that with Hard Rock Café, Italianni’s, and Randy’s Donuts, to name a few.
Olive Garden didn’t hold back for its first foray into the Philippine market. Their 382-square meter space in Pasay City has the makings of a modern Italian bistro. The first thing you’ll see when you walk in is their bar. (The green-splashed stools are charming!)
Walk around, and you’ll see a space that can seat 300 people. There are booths, couches, and round table seats, all finished with brown and olive green tones. The interior also has plenty of wood accents. It’s an Italian-American restaurant with a bit of Filipino flair. Check out the use of solihiya in their interior lighting!
The food
But feasting your eyes is just the first step. Those familiar with the Olive Garden brand will go for their breadsticks. That’s OK, but why not pair them with something else? Try the Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, Mushroom Fettucine, or Shrimp Scampi. If you’re in the mood for a little of everything, go for the Tour of Italy.
If you want to play it safe, choose their trademark never-ending soup or never-ending salad. The salad has carrots, croutons, lettuce, radish, and red onions tossed in a light vinaigrette. The soups have more variety. Choose from Chicken & Gnocchi, Minestrone, Pasta E Fagioli, and Zuppa Toscana.
Cap off your Italian expedition with one of their exquisite desserts. Their Brownie Lasagna, Tiramisu, and Zeppoli are to die for. (The latter is an Italian dessert consisting of deep-fried dough balls.)
Let the good times roll with their cocktails, which come straight from their in-house bar. The Amaretto Sour, Italian Margarita, Italian Rum Punch, Olive Gin on the Rocks, and Strawberry Bellini are some of their must-try tipples.
Catch the best Italian-American cuisine by visiting Olive Garden at the 2nd Level, South Entertainment Mall of SM Mall of Asia. They serve daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Featured Image Daniella Sison
