Olive Garden?

[Weirs guy]

Nadia, a little birdie told me something about Nadia's being replaced by a chain restaurant? Not that I would believe a rumor, but I've got to ask, any truth to that rumor? And remember, I've got a wicked good memory!

[mr1drfl]

I heard they sold it to the Olive Garden. Nadia? Is it true?

[Pineedles]

Unscientifically, I have looked at Nadia's replies and she tends to answer in the AM more quickly than the PM, particularly after noon. If she has sold, she may be under some non-disclosure contractural obligation. I am sad if she has, because I like Olive Garden but I had previously obligated myself to experiencing her "type" of cooking, too bad, my fault for not visiting sooner. If the sale has taken place, I hope it is what she wanted. HEY NADIA, if you want come over to Pineedles place next August 2007 I'll introduce you to what I learned from my wife's mother, a native of Pescara and a real good teacher of her cooking skills. Gnochi, bread, pasta, sauce....

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by mr1drfl

I heard they sold it to the Olive Garden. Nadia? Is it true?

Do you really expect Nadia to respond to you? And that would be........ because why? (If you recollect, she was considering putting you on "ignore" because of a prior post of yours......)

[Nadia]

Hi,
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I usually don't peruse the "Olive Garden" threads. LOL. No there is no truth to that rumor whatsoever. When I got back from vacation I had a lot of people asking me if we had sold out to "Hooters". I laughed to myself. Picturing a hooters in Gilford, NH is difficult.

[dpg]

I live near an Olive Garden in Mass and eat there on occassion. Although a "chain restaurant" they have awesome food with endless breadsticks and salad. They would be a great addition to the area, try them if they ever do open. Sorry Nadia!!!

[Waterbaby]

Originally Posted by dpg

I live near an Olive Garden in Mass and eat there on occassion. Although a "chain restaurant" they have awesome food with endless breadsticks and salad. They would be a great addition to the area, try them if they ever do open. Sorry Nadia!!!

DPG -- I, personally, wouldn't call their food "awesome" -- and I love to both eat AND cook (and I excel at both, lol)...... I think OG's food is consistently good for a chain, no matter which location is chosen -- which would lead me to believe they don't really have chefs there, only people who "cook" the food which is prepared elsewhere, on a very large scale. As far as endless breadsticks and salad go, yes they have both -- breadsticks and salad are on the low end of the food cost scale so they can afford to keep them coming, and it impresses people because they are getting "something for nothing".

Would they be a great addition to the area? Or any other area? I don't believe so, any more than Wal-Mart or Target, or Lowes or Home Depot are. What they will be doing, if they really come to the area, is hurt the local restaurants because they have the chain-name recognition and people who frequent the chains won't even give the local restaurants a second glance. Instead, it will be "oh, I know that place, I'll eat there! I can get a meal quick, I can order from a familiar menu, and I won't have to think about it. PLUS!!!!!! my kids will get the same coloring book and crayons they get at home!!!!!!" In fact, I think I'll coin a new term: "big box restaurants".

Stepping off my soapbox now before this totally becomes a diatribe......

WB

[jerseyonbear]

Why anyone would choose an Olive Garden over a small Italian Restaurant. In my area the wait is always long and the food nothing special. Just a chain restaurant. The owner prepared food is always far superior and often for fewer dollars.

[mets3007]

I don't really care for Chain Resturants I do eat breakfast once and while in Mcdonald's since it is decent, but I prefer the small businesses like Galley, Jt's , Ames, Patricks, The antler but I will try the new place where Bonanza will be just to see how it is but that doesnt mean I wont be going to the other places. I just do not like places that all have the same menu and the food has to be cooked the same way. I like places that are unique and different from the other places.

[tricia1218]

I am not a fan of chain resturants either, it would be a desperate situation if we had to eat at an Olive Garden. My experience is that most chains are the same food, same taste, different name. I prefer small local resturants over a chain anyday, but we have friends that would not eat any where else but a chain, they have kids and it is easier for them as far as quick service, and reasonable prices.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by jerseyonbear

Why anyone would choose an Olive Garden over a small Italian Restaurant. In my area the wait is always long and the food nothing special. Just a chain restaurant. The owner prepared food is always far superior and often for fewer dollars.

I agree...And there are 300 Indianapolis folks who probably aren't going back to any Olive Garden anytime soon.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dl...459/-1/ZONES04

In 50 years at local Winnipesaukee restaurants, I've never been "assaulted" by my salad!

[jniff101]

I, myself Love the olive Garden. Now correct me if im wrong but have you seen the little building comming together beside Lowes (across from Nadias), i heard that THAT was going to be the Olive Garden. And if it is I will be the first one there. I will add that I also love to try new things and my girlfriends and I went to Nadias and we were not impressed, at all! The service was bad, the food left much to be desired and the prices were rediculous considering the quailty of the food. We will never return.

[Weirs guy]

Originally Posted by Nadia

Picturing a hooters in Gilford, NH is difficult.

Its not to hard to picture if I close my eyes really tight......

Thanks for the response Nadia.

[dpg]

Waterbaby: I also often eat in slamm "owner run" establishments. Most are good, that's all. How many "up there" are well, trashed on this site. Over priced for what you get, etc? Yes, I agree salad and breadsticks may be a lower cost item to a restaurant but how many in the Lakes Region hand them out in an ENDLESS supply with your meal? I'd venture to say almost none. O.G. is a good meal for the buck....period....

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Nadia

When I got back from vacation I had a lot of people asking me if we had sold out to "Hooters". I laughed to myself. Picturing a hooters in Gilford, NH is difficult.

Now I would not want to see a local place put out of bussiness for it....but picturing a Hooters in Gilford isn't that hard..... We just got one over here in Burlington Vermont... And now there are never anymore missing husband and boyfriend reports the police know right where to look...