You no longer need to go abroad to have a taste of Olive Garden‘s finest offerings!

The largest Italian-American restaurant chain in the US, with more than 900 restaurants at present, is opening its first branch here in the Philippines! Before they open their doors to the public on September 12, the restaurant held a media launch giving the members of the press a try at their flavorsome lineup of Italian dishes.

The restaurant is located on the 2nd floor of the South Entertainment Mall at the SM Mall of Asia. From inside the mall, customers are greeted by their bar counter, with a rustic stone passageway leading to their main dining area. The restaurant has a spacious interior, with earth tones giving off a warm and cozy vibe, while the comfortable furniture and decor allude to the Italian countryside. Olive Garden has a seating capacity of 300, with an al fresco area facing the Seaside Boulevard.

Of course, the highlight of our visit is their rich roster of dishes that boast authentic Italian flavors and hearty servings. Kick off your meal and excite your palates with their appetizers: the Lasagna Fritta has a crisp exterior slathered with cheese and meat sauce, and bursts with a bang of lasagna goodness; while the Shrimp Frito Misto is a platter of breaded and fried shrimp with marinara and ranch dips.

Olive Garden is also known for their Never-Ending Salad, Breadsticks, and Soups that are available in Pasta E Fagioli, Zuppa Toscana, Minestrone, and Chicken & Gnocchi.

Further fulfill your cravings for Italian cuisine with Olive Garden’s mouthwatering entrées. Part of their pasta lineup are the Chicken Alfredo, offering a sumptuous affair between the creamy alfredo, tender chicken, and herbs; the Shrimp Scampi with angel hair and the distinct shrimp umami; the Fettucini with Creamy Mushroom Sauce that has a thicker and richer cream with the added texture of mushroom mix-ins; and the Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara that combines the best of both chicken and shrimp on top of a crave-worthy carbonara.

If you fancy less pasta and more meat, you can also order their Chicken Margherita topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil pesto, and lemon garlic sauce; or the Chicken Parmigiana which is fried and smothered with Italian cheeses and marinara sauce. If you seek a more filling plate, then your best pick would be the Tour of Italy which brings together their lasagna, chicken parmigiana, and fettuccini alfredo in one serving.

If you’re looking for something more savory to go with their fettuccini alfredo, you can also try it with Olive Garden’s Sirloin Steak.

For the drinks, Olive Garden’s bar got you covered with their lineup of cocktails which include the Italian Margarita, Peach Bellini, Hibiscus-Oh!, Olive Gin on the Rocks, and Blossoming Vodka. For those who would opt for non-alcoholic drinks, they also have a lineup of refreshing teas and juices, including refreshments with their Never-ending refills.

To cap off your meal at the Olive Garden, you can have a pick at their decadent desserts. Their Zeppoli or warm Italian doughnuts come with a rich chocolate sauce, while their Mango Cheesecake is a luscious slice of cheesecake with the added indulgence of mango sauce on top.

Whether you’re a patron when overseas, or a new customer curious about what this Italian restaurant has to offer, you can finally dine and give it a try at Olive Garden in Manila starting Monday, September 12. Located on the 2nd floor of the South Entertainment Mall at the SM Mall of Asia, Olive Garden is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM.

For more information and updates, follow Olive Garden Philippines on Facebook and Instagram.