OPINION: The Olive Garden: Pouring cool water on a flame war!

[Radio_Lady]

First, let me say, I never expected a big flame war over my choice in NYC restaurants.

That seems to be what happened here over the past day or two. May it also be said that I respect YOUR opinion if you do not like the Olive Garden or are in love with any of the other chains. Your opinion is just as important as mine in this OPEN FORUM.

I know there are better Italian restaurants in New York City, and yes, I've been to Little Italy both in New York City, where I lived for nine years, as well as Hanover Street in Boston, Massachusetts, where my husband and I lived for 30 years.

In my opinion, they do a great job at that chain. We go there both in Oregon and Utah with our children and grandchildren. Additionally, we are NOT chain fast food devotees. The only reason we go to other chains such as Arbys, Wendys, Burger King, McDonalds and the like -- is to use the restroom and bring in food we have brought with us from our own refrigerator if we are started on a trip. We will order a glass of milk or a Diet Coke. I have never been in a Taco Bell and just once in Carl's Jr.

After viewing both locked threads, I checked the Internet for others who had reviewed this particular restaurant at 2 Times Square Plaza. I still give it high marks. Just to back up what we found last month, may I offer a page of reviews for this particular location from Yahoo.com? (They go back to 2005.)

I'm sure it won't change your mind if it's already set!

http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=11155649

Scroll down for 14 reviews.

I would appreciate it if you don't flame me or others who are trying to express their own opinion. I plan never to flame you.

In peace,

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[jpgray]

1. You're going to have to be more of a dick to fan these flames

Let me refer you to the "cornflakes as fried chicken batter" flamewar. Now -that- was a food flamewar you could set your watch to! :patriot:

[Radio_Lady]

10. "Cornflakes as fried chicken batter"? I'll let the UN decide that one!

:sarcasm: Of course. By the way, I haven't eaten at a KFC since 2003.

[JVS]

35. That flame-war was just a sublimation of GD:primary hatred!

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

2. Utah?!

UTAH STINKS!

:hide:

Don't even get me started on grandchildren!

[Radio_Lady]

6. Let's hope this is sarcasm, Hooligan.

I'll take it as such.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

8. Well, I don't know about those grandkids.

:hi:

[Radio_Lady]

13. Thanks for the wave! Nice to see it!

[Midlodemocrat]

3. I must say, Radio_Lady that this is very, very gracious of you.

I do have a fondness for nice restaurants, but as I stated in your original thread, I also have a warm spot in my heart for the Midlothian Turnpike Olive Garden because it was my dad's favorite.

Food is food, music is music. We are all different and we all like the same and different things.

I hope you had a nice trip.

[Radio_Lady]

14. Wonderful trip, Midlodemocrat. See my photo links if you care to --

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5279957&mesg_id=5279957

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5279932&mesg_id=5279932

[Midlodemocrat]

15. I would love to. Are they posted in the lounge?

[Radio_Lady]

19. See former post with links just applied... Edinburgh and NYC

Still working on LONDON town.... Have a great evening!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[flvegan]

4. You broke the post margins.

Jeebus, but your post runs way over to the right, outside the margin.

This is deserving of being flamed...

I kid. A gracious post on your behalf.

[flvegan]

5. Dammit! Now it's fixed.

Friggin good website builders!

[Radio_Lady]

21. That was Yahoo, not me. "To err is human, to forgive, divine."

Fixed now.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

7. Peace, R_L.

;)

[Radio_Lady]

31. Hi, Writing. You sound a lot like me when I was your age!

Also, I'm in PORTLAND, too -- but it's Portland, Oregon, named on a coin toss after Portland, Maine.

Thanks for adding your interesting points of view to the Democratic Underground.

Here's a picture of me when I was just 15 in Florida 1956:

Really hard to believe that was fifty years ago!

[Nicole]

9. Radio Lady: You are a class act

Class follows you wherever you go. Enjoy dining wherever that takes you. :toast:

[Radio_Lady]

26. Cute story about dining: We went to a Father's Day brunch yesterday

in a very elegant restaurant, Amadeus, in Milwaukie, Oregon. The setting is magnificent, overlooking the Willamette River. Our party of six (four adults and two kids) arrived on time at 10:30 AM.

The owner and her husband, both folks in their 50s or older, were all flustered. Apparently one waitress was ill, and another staff member was running late getting there. They were trying to operate with just two people. Luckily, another elderly woman was playing classical and popular music on the piano and it was nice and cool in their elevated and woodsy setting.

My daughter immediately identified with the problem. She used to waitress in Boston during high school and college. She offered to help the kitchen staff deliver meals.

P.S. It took about 45 minutes for us to get served. My daughter continued to wait tables for almost the whole time. (They were totally full for Father's Day.)

The owner insisted on giving us champagne with strawberries in it. I was a little tipsy, but great feeling! Then, she refused to give us a check for the meal. We left two twenty dollar bills for them.

Now, that's Italian! And that's what makes it feel like family!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Nicole]

37. What a great story

I'm sure they appreciated your daughter's help very much.

The memory of that meal will surely last a lifetime.

[Radio_Lady]

38. Yes, Nicole, it's already getting a good deal of play around here!

My daughter finally turned into a delightful woman!

[Random_Australian]

11. Yes, let us annoy each other no longer!

Donald Rumsfeld is giving the President his daily briefing. He concludes by saying: "Yesterday, three Brazilian soldiers were killed."

"OH NO!" the President exclaims. "That's terrible!"

His staff sits stunned at this display of emotion, nervously watching as the President sits, head in hands.

Finally, the President looks up and asks, "How many is a brazillion?"

:hide:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

12. Fuck you.

:rofl:

[Random_Australian]

25. Kudzu you!

:D :)

[Radio_Lady]

27. Still a funny story, even if you tell it a brazillion times! Thanks, R_A.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

16. Seriously, especially over something so silly

I'm 14, and I have to say, fighting over whether Olive Garden is good or not is beneath me. You just have to step back and check out perspective here, lol. Some of yall should check out my thread on hate too http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x5279223

seriously, flaming over food? Us humans are nuts.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

17. Another teen! Yay!

Fourteen at this end of the computer, as well.

:hi:

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

18. Hello,

I've been here a while, but don't usually post that much :hi:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

20. Started 9/24/05,

and everyone says I post far too much.

:evilgrin:

;)

[WCGreen]

24. George Bush Likes Olive Garden.......

Welcome....

[Radio_Lady]

30. What can I say, WCGreen? You are obviously a WH insider.

Now, we want to know what he eats there. Pretzels?

[WCGreen]

33. He dips them in the carbona....

[Radio_Lady]

28. WE humans are nuts, aren't we? Happy 14 -- you're elderly --

especially to my eight and five year old grandkids!

[bridgit]

22. olive garden? couldn't tell'ya, never eaten there...

:shrug:

[WCGreen]

23. What did I miss....

Olive Garden is okay by me...

Sometimes people who aren't use to Authentic Italian might not appreciate the multitude of tastes...

I have found that unless you are raised on Italian food and know what each region is all about, you can get fooled and order something that comes out of the kitchen totally different from what you were expecting...

Not to say that you don't know and appreciate authentic Italian Cuisine...

I would never presume that....

And although I have been to Little Italy here in Cleveland (where some will say the original funding for non Bugsy Las Vegas originated with Big Owl Palluzzi and his "posse") many many times including a couple of trips to the infamous back rooms (Capice!)... Have three really close Friends who have parents and grandparents from the boot... what do I know from Italian, no?

Anyway, Olive Garden is pretty good food, fairly priced and always great service...

I think the flame war is akin to those battles over whose obscure band is better...

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

29. If my very strong opinion is as important as yours to the contrary then

there's no problem.

Your opinion is just as important to me. I don't see the problem.

No one needed to start new threads about it or anything.

:shrug:

I guess that's just how it goes.

[Kajsa]

32. Radio Lady, you are a very patient

and classy lady.

You point out that this is an open forum and
that everyone is entitled to their opinion.

What's unnecessary is trashing / flaming someone for it.

The more immature ( not to be confused with age)
in the bunch came back to flame repeatedly
and laugh about it.

What a bunch of BS!

Something I've seen on hundreds of car bumpers says it best

Mean People Suck !

Yes they do!

[Radio_Lady]

36. Here's a great quote from {{anonymous}} -- just comes to mind --

"There's so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it doesn't behoove any of us
To talk about the rest of us."

After spending years as a call-in radio talk show host -- a pioneer in the field in Miami and Boston -- these flame wars really tug at my heartstrings.

On the air six days a week, I used to get it with both barrels from the right and left --

Discussing abortion, birth control, capital punishment, bussing to achieve racial balance, politics, both national and local, religion or the lack thereof, the Nixon years, Watergate, the Vietnam War. Things got a little better in the early 1980s, but not much.

Finally decided that it was a bit of a game -- if you excuse the expression, "verbal masturbation" -- however, there was that talk show host who was shot and killed coming out of the radio station -- and that movie "Play Misty for Me."

There are too many issues on which you and I could agree -- to point up the ones on which we disagree. Usually it comes down to sex, religion or politics. But -- the quality of Italian food at the Olive Garden? I just have to GIGGLE about 25 more minutes!!!!

In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Kajsa]

41. Right you are!

:D

[Brigid]

34. I like Olive Garden.

Other people have the right to like it or dislike it as they see fit, and it's no one else's business either way. That's all.

[Radio_Lady]

40. Well, I guess the sparks will fly again over some other tiny issue...

in the days and weeks to come.

Good night and good luck!

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[huskerlaw]

39. Ok, I'll admit it...

I've eaten at an Olive Garden in Los Angeles.

And anyone who has a problem with that can kiss my ass.

:hug: Radio_Lady. That was a most ridiculous flamewar, beginning with an innocent post.

[Gold Metal Flake]

42. While I am not a fan of the Olive Garden, I am a fan of Radio_Lady.

I like your posts.

:hi:

[Radio_Lady]

44. Thank you, O.R. Your compliment is gratiously accepted.

[JVS]

43. JVS' theses on The Olive Garden

1. The Olive Garden is neither the worst Italian food in the world nor the best.

2. What The Olive Garden lacks in individuality, is often compensated for in it's predictabilitly. Simply put, when you walk into those doors, no matter where you are in the country, you will be eating something decent and not be getting surprised.

3. While such a dining experience is not how one finds "truly spectacular" food, it is useful in avoiding a "truly awful" meal.

4. An example of this is that if someone who is a stranger in NYC eats at TOG, he/she is certainly missing out on better possibilities, but is also avoiding the risk that they picked a truly horrendous place (which is possible).

5. Rather than belittle such a person who has done such a thing, those who advocate local eateries should be sure to inform said person about a good place in the area.

6. The Olive Garden should stop playing the same music over and over again, it's cruel. I was once talked to a waitress in St. Louis about how the work was, and she said that it was fine, but that if she never hears Dean Martin again it will be too soon.

[Radio_Lady]

45. JVS, your thesis on this topic is well taken. Appreciate your input.

[anarch]

46. I don't get it...shouldn't it be called an "orchard"?

Olives grow on trees...you don't see anything called an "Apple Garden". That's why I refuse to eat there, no matter what the food might taste like.








j/k. I am actually completely indifferent to Olive Garden. As a place to find a few vegan dishes when traveling, it's actually not a bad thing at all. On the other hand, I don't have the vaguest idea where the nearest one is....

[Benfea]

47. I'm not crazy about Olive Garden.

Don't get me wrong, the food is decent, but they simply charge way too much money for the quality they provide. In Chicago (and I imagine New York as well), you can spend less than that and get Italian food that's as good or better.

[Bunny]

48. Holy crap - did we have another Olive Garden flame fest?

We've had several that I can recall, and they always puzzle me. I don't get the hatin'. :shrug: The food definitely doesn't take you back to the old country, but it is decent, and comes at a fair price. So really, who gives a fig?

Food snobs - :grr:

[Radio_Lady]

53. Yes, Bunny. We did. It was my first time. I deigned to discuss

our visit to the Olive Garden at Times Square, prior to going to a matinee musical, while we were in New York.

Don't sweat it. I'm not...


Have a wonderful spring day -- the last before summer!


In peace,

Radio_Lady

[Blue-Jay]

49. My take on the whole thing (for what it's worth):

It wasn't so awfully much about the Olive Garden being a good or not-so-good chain. I think that people were a bit surprised that you offered up a chain restaurant in a "I'm in (whatever city). Where's a good place to eat?" thread.

Usually when people ask that sort of question, I assume that they're looking for a restaurant that you can't find in any other city. I'm going to Phoenix tomorrow and I don't plan on having dinner at Applebee's, even though Applebee's has OK food. I'm not being a "food snob" by not wanting to eat at Applebee's, I just like Something Different when I'm in a new place.

Anyhow - That's why a few (OK, a LOT) people were a little taken aback by the Olive Garden suggestion.

[Beware the Beast Man]

56. Amen.

And well-put. :thumbsup:

[Radio_Lady]

58. Hi, Blue-Jay. Mea culpa, mea culpa. I didn't give it a thought.

I made a suggestion to another visitor and it was clear that I was visiting, too -- not living in Manhattan. When I did live there (1962 to 1969) I don't recall going to any other chain except Howard Johnson's near the theater district, which I believe is now gone. We ate at all small and wonderful restaurants from Chinatown to Harlem. My former husband was a gourmet cook and loved to eat.

My present husband of 33 years is not in the same league. We eat to live, not live to eat. He has a favorite saying. Maybe it comes because he watched "The Sopranos" --

"NOBODY PUT A GUN TO YOUR HEAD."

Thanks for your insight. "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions." (GRIN)

P.S. We also had a coffee and a muffin at Starbucks on Broadway, while waiting for theater time one afternoon. I know a lot of people could jump on that, too.

[arwalden]

59. And There You Have It...

... a perfect analysis and summary. :thumbsup:

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

64. Thank you

:thumbsup:

[Rabrrrrrr]

50. I don't mind Olive Garden; but Olive Garden in NYC is an abomination

When people visited me, I never allowed them to go to a chain restaurant.

And the Olive Garden holding court over Times Square is the symbol of everything that is fucked up, wrong, rotten, and evil in this country of ignorance. I refused to ever set foot in it, and I never will, and I cursed it and everything it stands for every time I walked by it, and every time I think about it, and I curse every person who has ever eaten in it and who ever will eat in it.

Same with the Applebees that replaced the good restaurant on 50th between 7th and Broadway.

I curse them with everything I have in me, and i will curse them, and the people who go them, until my final dying breath.

[anarch]

51. but...but....but...Applebee's is a "neighborhood grill and bar"

I mean, it even says so on their sign. You mean to say there's more than one of them??? Why...those deceitful, lying scum!

[Radio_Lady]

55. Gee, Rabrrrrr, you seem to have your nuts in a knot today! (GRIN)

No one that we know lives in Manhattan now, except my first husband whom I haven't seen since 1960 (I did call him and we had a delightful chat.) We stayed at the Hilton Hotel and my cousin came into NYC from New Jersey one afternoon. Took her to the delightful little Lou's Cafe, West 53rd Street and 6th Avenue. Classical music. Great salads and sandwiches. Clean bathroom. Not too expensive.

Another night, we ate at an Irish pub place in the West 40s or 50s -- with good food, but their airconditioning was minimal and it kind of ruined the afternoon for me. The temperature was in the mid-80s that day.

Mostly, the Hilton Club put on a big (free) breakfast and a big (free) happy hour. That's where we ate.

My son worked for Applebee's in Salt Lake City, and now works for Chili's. I don't make judgements on the food his company prepares.

Food is a choice for everybody. Sometimes I wish we didn't have to eat at all. Clearly, we're not driven by restaurant choices. Your mileage may vary.

Have a great day!

Radio_Lady

[Rabrrrrrr]

57. OMG! You used the word "nuts" in a slang way!

:rofl:

I'm not used to you saying things like that.

I'm not against Applebees and Olive Garden per se; I occasionally eat at both. I *AM*, however, totally against their presence in NYC; and even more so, I am totally and utterly against anyone eating at them in NYC, and against the tourists who go to NYC and only eat their "safe" shit food like Olive Garden, KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, etc.

Tasty food, yes; but still, in the end of all things, shit food, boldly careening down the center line so that it's "safe" for everyone.

Now, obviously, you are a person of taste and ate at many good places, and know NYC well. But I really think that NYC should have passed a law years ago barring any chain restaurant from entering the boundaries of the city.

[Radio_Lady]

61. Was this sort of legislation proposed -- or even possible in NYC?

I am not aware of it. Like you, I deplore the food served at most fast food chains. Also, I know that we're fighting a Wal-Mart in our town for other reasons.

One insight: Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii, used to be a street full of small restaurants, T-shirt shops, squeeze orange juice stands and so forth. That was in the early 1980s.

Today, it's more like Rodeo Drive, Los Angeles. Pretty much all upscale stores (except for the International Market, outdoors.) They even opened a Cheesecake Factory there, another profitable chain.

Real estate people would know more about this than I do. It's the theory of "best use" -- as the property grows in value, consideration must be given to what company has the money to rent or own the space.

It's particularly true around Times Square. Was it better in yesteryears when there were a lot of small crappy businesses and food places? Do you recall all the GIRLIE SHOWS and PORN PALACES, particularly around 42nd Street. Every other business was GOING OUT OF BUSINESS?

Now, it seems to be populated by companies that can afford to buy or rent. That's got to be thoroughly-capitalized businesses -- whatever they might be.

[Nye Bevan]

60. That reminds me of when my in-laws visited New Orleans

a few years ago. A city with an incredible collection of diverse restaurants serving delicious Louisiana food.

So where did they go for dinner?

Houlihans. AAAAAARRRRGGHHH!

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

62. Careful

That's all I'm sayin'

[Texasgal]

52. What a shame that people had to

chide your choice of where to dine.

I am just sorry I got involved, it became more than it had too.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

63. There's a difference between chiding the restaurant

and the person. I don't think you have the ability to perceive that nuance.

[MissMillie]

54. I'm so glad you have found places you like to eat

:hi:

I would never dream of dissing anyone else's enjoyment of anything (well, except for A1 steak sauce... :silly: )

[tjdee]

65. Oh my god, now you people are fighting over the Olive Garden?

And I missed it?

Dang!

[Moderator]

66. Locking.

There, a quiet dinner on the balcony. There is no place like home. Tender music playing in the background, a few smiles, a taste of good wine. Peace on earth and everything feels right again.

Even this lock, which is the special on the menu today. Enjoy!



Respectfully submitted,

Call Me Wesley
DU Moderator and Chef in disguise