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Home » Blog » Uncategorized » Olive Garden Introduces a New Menu Evolution {#Giveaway}

Olive Garden Introduces a New Menu Evolution {#Giveaway}

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Disclosure:  My guest and I enjoyed a free menu tasting with Olive Garden in return for my open and honest review.  As always my opinions are my own.

My best friend Lauren now lives in Colorado – Praise the Lord!!  This means that we have a new tradition of having “Date Night” or Girls Night once a month.  This is a night that just the two of us plan and we get to hang out like we are teenagers again!  So fun!  
Our November Date Night was a complementary new menu tasting event at our local Olive Garden.  When my rep, Samantha told me to come hungry, she wasn’t kidding.  I have always been a fan of visiting Olive Garden but like most people I found my favorite dish and haven’t branched out.  Well the evening of our tasting both Lauren and I branched out and had a fantastic time tasting the new menu that was released earlier in 2014.  This was the most significant menu evolution in the restaurant’s history.  
I hope you aren’t hungry because you are going to see some Yummy dishes that you will be craving soon!  Ready?
If you followed me on instagram you have already drooled on your phone.  This was the menu that we got to enjoy!  YUM!  So many of the dishes are things I would have never thought to explore or try but now I have a few new favorites that I cannot wait to enjoy again soon.  

Crispy Risotto Bites (“Small Plates”) – Bite-sized blend of Italian cheeses and rice, lightly fried and served in marinara sauce.

My review:  OH!!  These!!  Perfect!  I was worried that they would be really heavy and feel too deep friend but these were so light and yummy!  Not too cheesy either.  I wanted more of these bites for sure.  This would be a perfect app to share!

Polenta Shrimp alla Greca (“Small Plates”) – Sautéed shrimp served on creamy polenta and topped with a fresh blend of olives, capers and tomato sauce.

My review:  I am a shrimp lover but most of the time I like it fried but these sauteed shrimps were cooked to perfection and with the polenta it was a dish that could be the perfect alternative to a salad.   The polenta had such a great flavor.  

Garlic Rosemary Chicken – Grilled marinated chicken breast topped with rosemary and caramelized garlic cloves. Served with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and fresh spinach.

My review:  Well when they brought this plate out and told us it was part of the lighter fair menu I was floored!  How was this large plate of yummy chicken and MASHED POTATOES under 575 calories?  Now, I wouldn’t normally pick chicken and potatoes at Olive Garden BUT if I was in my “focused” stage of counting calories, this would be the dish I would order.  The potatoes were amazing and the chicken was perfectly seasoned.  This was one of my favorite meals.  

Smashed Chicken Meatball Sandwich – Smashed chicken meatballs with roasted bell peppers and mozzarella on a focaccia bun.
My review:  While I adore meatball sandwiches, this wasn’t my favorite sandwich.  I felt like it was a bit heavy and hard to eat on the focaccia bun.  The chicken meatball was interesting.  While I was tasting this sandwich I kept thinking about how much Jeremy would have enjoyed it.  It smelled and looked wonderful, just not my favorite dish.  


Bucatini with Spicy Three Meat Sauce and Sausage Meatballs – part of Cucina Mia
Choose your pasta: New Large Paccheri, New Tri-Colored Vegetable Penne, Bucatini, New Cavatappi, Whole Wheat Linguine, New Gluten-Free Rotini
Choose your made-from-scratch sauce:  New Creamy Garlic Alfredo, New Primavera, New Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato, New Spicy Diavolo, Fresh Tomato Pomodoro
Add a topping (additional cost): New Chicken Meatballs, New Sausage Meatballs, Meatballs, Sautéed Shrimp
My review:  Well, I am a big baby and this was too spicy for me.  However the meatball I tried was soooo good!!  Oh and this was my first time trying the Bucatini pasta.  Now when I make spaghetti I will be buying Bucatini!  It holds the sauce so well and was a really great pasta.  

Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad Topper – Fresh mozzarella bites, roasted tomato, bell pepper, basil, kale and an extra-virgin olive oil drizzle.

My review:  I am a big fan of the traditional Olive Garden salad but when I tried this Salad topper I was in love.  Kale is trending and I like it!  The Mozzarella bites made this salad though, so fresh and perfect!  I would love to add this topper if I visited Olive Garden during lunch.  Yum!!  

Chicken Abruzzi  – Grilled chicken breast in a savory broth simmered with cannellini beans, kale and garden vegetables.

My review:  Remember how I told you I was going to branch out and try new things.  Well this was new to me.  I had no idea what it was.  it was interesting and had some great flavors.  Again, this was on the lighter fare menu.  Great option.  The broth was really great when I added some lemon juice.  It made the dish.  The kale was the part that I didn’t like but the veggies, broth and chicken was really good.  

Pappardelle Pescatore (Olive Garden Specialty) – Sautéed shrimp, bay scallops and clams tossed with pappardelle pasta, fresh asparagus and tomatoes in a creamy red pepper seafood sauce.

My review:  I cannot give a great review on this dish because I couldn’t try it all.  I did try the shrimp, asparagus and pasta and those all tasted great.  This is a dish that is an Olive Garden specialty so if you are more daring that me – try it!  

Grilled Chicken Butternut Squash Alfredo Futteccine – Grilled chicken breasts served on a bed of fettuccine tossed with creamy roasted butternut squash alfredo and fresh spinach.

My review:  This dish was by far my favorite!  This speaks FALL to me.  The butternut squash sauce was sweet and smelled like apples!  The chicken was fantastic.  I told Jeremy that we had to go to Olive Garden soon because I wanted it again!  This is a seasonal special so PLEASE you must go and try this!  Delicious!

Pumpkin Cheesecake – Pumpkin Cheesecake is topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce and ginger cookie crumbles. 

My review:  Well we came to an end.  We were stuffed and happy but we had to try this amazing piece of cheesecake.  It was the perfect end to our feast.  The pumpkin wasn’t overpowering.  Also, if you order this – you can share it!  It is HUGE!!  Nom!!!
What a fun evening!  We had to roll out of the restaurant but it was so worth it.  Next date night we might just have drinks and salad!  ha!!   
The new menu is designed to appeal to the evolving palettes and preferences of the casual dining guests, while providing you with more options to customize your meal experience at both lunch and dinner.
Some New Menu Highlights
“Cucina Mia” Section: Introducing a new menu section that gives guests the ability to create their own entrée from a variety of six pastas and five made-from-scratch sauces—for only $9.99 every day.
Small Plates: Expanding the Tastes of Italy section to include eight small plate dishes for guests who want to explore different flavors.
Lighter Italian Fare: Enhancing variety within the under-575-calories menu section by introducing additional dishes for calorie-counting guests.
Specialty Entrees: Bringing new culinary-forward entrees to the chicken and seafood sections of the menu, enhanced by preparation on a new Piastra flat-top grill for a more evenly cooked, tender and juicy taste.
Salad Toppers: Creating new ways for guests to enjoy Olive Garden’s popular signature salad through the addition of antipasti or caprese toppings.
Giveaway time – just in time for the holidays!!  
Now that you are craving some of these fabulous dishes why don’t you try to win an Olive Garden gift card!?  Thank you to the Olive Garden for a wonderful night and for offering this gift card to one of my lucky readers!  I cannot wait to here what dish you are most excited to try!  Good Luck!!  
Rafflecopter Form:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: giveaway

Comments

  1. Shelly Peterson says

    November 14, 2014 at 7:48 am

    I want to try the Crispy Risotto Bites and the pumpkin cheesecake.

  2. Mami2jcn says

    November 14, 2014 at 1:05 pm

    I would like to try the garlic rosemary chicken and that pumpkin cheesecake looks amazing!

  3. Elena says

    November 14, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    I want to try the Chicken Abruzzi

  4. Shaun McGahey says

    November 14, 2014 at 2:29 pm

    Can I try it all like you did?!

    I'd try the Garlic Rosemary.

  5. Katy says

    November 14, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    Oh my goodness, so much of that looks so good! I'm surprised as well that the garlic rosemary chicken is on the low-calorie menu. I'd have to try that one and those crispy risotto bites! Yum!

  6. Heather says

    November 14, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    Wow! That is a lot of food – it all looks very yummy!

  7. Brandi says

    November 14, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I can't imagine going to Olive Garden and not getting pasta, but that shrimp looks REALLY great!

  8. leanne_mac says

    November 14, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    The Pumpkin Cheesecake looks yummy

  9. Darlene says

    November 14, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    I would love to try the Chicken Abruzzi

  10. Denise Boeger says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    The Pumpkin Cheesecake def!!

  11. Tiffani Jade says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:13 pm

    I'm most excited to try the risotto bites. I love Olive Garden.

  12. Jamie says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Some of these look amazing! I'm curious about the chicken meatballs for some reason.

  13. rachel jenkins says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    pumpkin cheescake 😀

  14. Piper Leigh says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:21 pm

    That chicken and mashed potatoes looks amazing! Definitely try that and of course the cheesecake. 🙂

  15. Stacy Tilton says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    Pumpkin Cheesecake for sure!

  16. Lisa Krause says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Wow…looks amazing. Now I'm so hungry!

  17. Ashley Kolpak says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    I want to try the pumpkin cheesecake!

  18. Elle says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:55 pm

    I need that pumpkin cheesecake in my life.

  19. Alison Myers says

    November 14, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Ooo that Pappardelle Pescatore looks amazing! Although, pretty much everything on Olive Garden's menu is amazing!

  20. Lindsey says

    November 14, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    Most excited to try the pumpkin cheesecake! Yummy!

  21. Alexa Cohen says

    November 14, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    i'm excited for the Pumpkin Cheesecake

  22. Kimberly says

    November 14, 2014 at 5:21 pm

    I would like to try the Garlic Rosemary Chicken.

  23. Kaymee says

    November 14, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    The pumpkin cheesecake!!! yummmmm!!

  24. Diana Trotter says

    November 14, 2014 at 9:46 pm

    The smashed chicken meatball sandwich looks really good and yum pumpkin cheesecake! This looks like a fun night to try all of these new items!!

  25. ♥Heather Dawn♥ says

    November 14, 2014 at 10:08 pm

    I want to try the Garlic Rosemary Chicken! It all lookd good, though

  26. kellyr78 says

    November 14, 2014 at 10:14 pm

    I would like to try the Crispy Risotto Bites.

  27. Olivia Douglass says

    November 14, 2014 at 10:59 pm

    The Pumpkin Cheesecake!!

  28. steve weber says

    November 14, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    I want to try the Chicken Abruzzi

  29. Gina Wildorchid says

    November 15, 2014 at 1:52 am

    I want to try the Polenta Shrimp alla Greca!

    Entered the rafflecopter form as "Wild Orchid"

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  30. Julia S says

    November 15, 2014 at 3:46 am

    I'd like to try the Crispy Risotto Bites

  31. Christine says

    November 15, 2014 at 5:59 am

    I like that there are lighter options on the menu. I haven't been to Olive Garden in a long time because I think of it as a place to go for a high-calorie meal.

  32. akronugurl says

    November 15, 2014 at 5:40 pm

    The Pumpkin Cheesecake

    freebiel0ve@yahoo.com

  33. jenmalonee says

    November 15, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    I want to try the Chicken Abruzzi .

  34. laborders2000 says

    November 15, 2014 at 11:45 pm

    Crispy Risotto Bites sound yummy!

  35. Tabathia B says

    November 16, 2014 at 3:21 am

    I want to try the Chicken Abruzzi

  36. Susan Christy says

    November 16, 2014 at 5:51 am

    Pappardelle Pescatore and the Pumpkin Cheesecake sound delish!

  37. Janice says

    November 16, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Garlic Rosemary Chicken sounds delicious!
    tweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com

  38. (Terry) My Journey With Candida says

    November 16, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    My Hubs would love to try the Pappardelle Pescatore (Olive Garden Specialty) – Sautéed shrimp, bay scallops and clams tossed with pappardelle pasta, fresh asparagus and tomatoes in a creamy red pepper seafood sauce.

  39. Maggie Smith says

    November 16, 2014 at 9:20 pm

    Chicken Abruzzi

  40. Carolyn Gonzalez says

    November 17, 2014 at 1:37 am

    Polenta Shrimp alla Greca

  41. Stevie says

    November 17, 2014 at 3:44 am

    OMG Pumpkin cheesecake! That sounds like heaven to me!

  42. Birdie Bee says

    November 17, 2014 at 5:28 am

    I would love to try the Grilled Chicken Butternut Squash Alfredo Fetteccine.

  43. Brandy Nelson says

    November 17, 2014 at 7:45 am

    I would absolutely LOVE to try the Garlic Rosemary Chicken! Thanks so much for the chance, and for all of your hard work!

  44. Tina Woo says

    November 17, 2014 at 7:51 am

    I would try each of them, but the Polenta Shrimp alla Greca would be my top pick.

  45. LauraJJ says

    November 17, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    Oh that Grilled Chicken Butternut Squash Alfredo Futteccine looks amazing! I would love to try that! YUM

  46. Amanda Sakovitz says

    November 17, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    I want to try the Chicken Abruzzi!

  47. Jakes Movie Reviews says

    November 17, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Pumpkin Cheesecake omg I have to try this.

  48. Thomas Murphy says

    November 17, 2014 at 10:42 pm

    I want to try the Grilled Chicken Butternut Squash Alfredo Futteccine.

    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

  49. pookiecat123 says

    November 17, 2014 at 11:28 pm

    I would like to try the pumpkin cheesecake.

  50. megan tilley says

    November 18, 2014 at 12:10 am

    I would love to try garlic rosemary chicken!

  51. sandyhills x says

    November 18, 2014 at 4:32 am

    The Garlic Rosemary Chicken looks great. I would love to try that first
    shaunie

  52. Dari says

    November 18, 2014 at 5:54 pm

    The wings!

  53. cosmic_cat84 says

    November 18, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    Pappardelle Pescatore

  54. Aubrey Laine says

    November 19, 2014 at 12:50 am

    Chicken Abruzzi

  55. latanya t says

    November 19, 2014 at 1:15 am

    the crispy risotto bites

  56. mel says

    November 19, 2014 at 2:45 am

    The Sm. Chicken Meatballs or Shrimp…i'm a sucker for shrimp!

  57. Jill McHale says

    November 19, 2014 at 5:46 am

    I'd like to try the Garlic Rosemary Chicken!

  58. Aimee Fauci says

    November 19, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    Pumpkin Cheesecake.. of course!

  59. Kait says

    November 19, 2014 at 8:24 pm

    Am I allowed to say all of them? If just one, can't go wrong with pumpkin cheesecake!

  60. Rebecca Xavier says

    November 20, 2014 at 4:43 am

    The risotto bites look yummy.

  61. Katie Clark says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:45 am

    The risotto bites look delicious!

  62. MariAli3 says

    November 20, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    The Garlic Rosemary Chicken looks delish~

  63. Tracie Russell says

    November 20, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    They all sound pretty darn tasty, but I think the Crispy Risotto Bites have me drooling the most 😉

  64. Becca K says

    November 20, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    great restaurant, everything looks so delicious 🙂

  65. Amanda Throckmorton says

    November 20, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    I am excited about the Spaghetti and the Pumpkin cheesecake.

  66. Linda Tang says

    November 20, 2014 at 6:54 pm

    Pappardelle Pescatore looks so good.

  67. Bryanne says

    November 20, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    The risotto bites

  68. monapete says

    November 20, 2014 at 7:16 pm

    Pumkin cheesecake

  69. Kristen says

    November 20, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    I'd like to try the Grilled Chicken Butternut Squash Alfredo Fettuccini.

  70. Natosha Clark says

    November 20, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    The garlic rosemary chicken sounds good.

  71. hangerlady28150 says

    November 21, 2014 at 1:08 am

    Pumpkin cheesecake

  72. Lily B says

    November 21, 2014 at 2:30 am

    paparadelle pescatore

  73. Liberty Boblett says

    November 21, 2014 at 3:26 am

    I cannot wait to try the Garlic Rosemary Chicken! I love your review with all the tantalizing photo's! 🙂

  74. Melanie Montgomery says

    November 21, 2014 at 5:56 am

    I really want to try the Chicken Abruzzi

  75. Sheralle D. says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:07 am

    The pumpkin cheesecake looks divine!!

  76. Shawna Cormier says

    November 21, 2014 at 6:26 am

    the chicken Abruzzi looked awesome had me drooling

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