Mini-essay #2 - Description

A GREAT DATE NIGHT
Uprooted and still standing, Olive Garden, a local restaurant in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, is inspired from the “Italian Tuscan farmhouse” is a popular favorite. The business originated from General Mills 25 years ago from their food division of Darden Restaurants Incorporated. Today it presents authentic Italian food, passionate employees, and diner’s full stomachs. As for my boyfriend TJ and I, we were seeking just that when we chose our destination to receive a “romantic” and reasonable dinner experience.

The winter chill still hovering over the campus-town, I quickly scooted inside the restaurant into the warmth and the crowd of hungry waiting diners. TJ parked the truck in the dark atmosphere encompassing the awaited location as I held our spot for the next table. A hungry and (long) wait for both of us proved that both the food and service were desirable and worth the wait. Inside this building with a “Tuscan feel,” a soft but not dreary ambiance glowed from overhanging lights above the booths and centers of rooms. The glow set the mood for the date providing that “romantic” setting along with warmth to escape to out from the cold. We were seated and promptly greeted.

“Hello and welcome to Olive Garden, my name is Chandra and I will be taking care of you tonight,” the server announced with a beaming and genuine kindness.

The menus were presented, but I did not know what to choose, as many of the meals appeared and sounded delicious. TJ knew that he was in the mood for pizza, so he thought he would try the ‘chicken alfredo pizza.’ I however was choosing between ‘chicken Marsala with garlic mashed potatoes and red wine sauce’ and ‘stuffed-portabella ravioli with marina sauce.’ Finally I chose the chicken Marsala as the server took our orders.

The conversation around our booth was intimate and very social, as the light illuminated between TJ and I. Italian music softly floated around the rooms on the words of the dining families, friends, associates, and lovers. All aspects of this restaurant please its diners: the setting, the food, the service, and the affordable price. Our food was presented within reasonable timing even though it was a busy night, and the smells of all of the delicious food before us consumed the senses.

Hot lightly salted breadsticks, fresh salad served on ice-chilled plates, cold drinks, and steaming hot entrees lay before us upon the oak-furnished table. It could not be contained, our happiness, and the contentment of the location and time that we were both in together. Conversation, laughter, and good eats filled that night in the “Tuscan” scene.

We left after a pleasing meal, slowly meandered away from the cozy and inviting environment that created the enjoyable date night, and into the cold dark abyss towards the truck near the mall parking lot. The restaurant was so busy that the near lot was full and the truck had to wait for us elsewhere, far into the cold. We scurried into the cold cab of his truck as we clutched hands for "warmth." The dress up night at Olive Garden was just right.