Yes, the real OG is now open in BGC! So, if you happen to pass by The Verve, and you smell a whiff of the all-too familiar freshly baked breadsticks, stop and step inside the newest Olive Garden branch. Olive Garden’s generosity in food, service, and experience is appreciated in over 900 stores globally, including the Philippines, where it successfully opened its first branch at SM Mall of Asia on September 12, 2022, in Glorietta 3 on January 9, 2023. Now, only after a year, Olive Garden opened its third home in 26th St., The Verve, Bonifacio South Street, Taguig City.

Like its predecessors, Olive Garden at The Verve opened with a ceremonial pasta twirl led by Zachary Reams, Learning & Development Partner, Darden International; Marc Buencamino, Operations Director of Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC); The Bistro Group’s Chief Operating Officer RC Tiongson; Lourdes Reyes, CFO, FBDC; and Lisa Ronquillo-Along, Chief Marketing Officer of the Bistro Group.

“We want to attract the office workers around the area who love to dine in Olive Garden during weekdays, while on weekends, we expect our guests to be mostly family, as we are a family restaurant. Now, people who work or live here don’t have to travel all the way to MOA or Makati when they crave their favorite Olive Garden dishes,” Tiongson said. Add the fact that BGC is an interconnected walkable community, with a lot of potential diners strolling all the way from the Serendra and High Street stretch, and finally saunter towards BGC’s newest, hip and happening area, the High Street South, where Olive Garden is ready to serve you with its mouthwatering Italian American fare.

But first, the breadsticks…and other unli-items

There’s something for everyone at Olive Garden, perfect for your picky eater kid, your millennial or Gen Z friends who love to feast on anything delicious, to your parents and relatives who would rather opt for a classic pasta, pizza, and the restaurant’s signature mains. But before you dig into anything, try the quintessential signature breadstick which is widely popular and is touted to have placed Olive Garden on the map (aside from the main dishes, of course). Served fresh and warm to touch, these breadsticks are moist, garlicky, and buttery to the bite. Together with these never-ending breadsticks, you may also enjoy the eat-all-you-can salad—a mix of healthy greens, tomatoes, and olives with a light house dressing—and soups (with choices like the Pasta E Fagioli, Chicken and Gnocchi, Zuppa Toscana, and Minestrone) which also comes unlimited for every order of an entrée!

Classic OG dishes

Although the menu has everything to whet anyone’s palate, it would be best to order the bestsellers that have made the restaurant iconic in many parts of the world. There’s the Lasagna Fritta and the Shrimp Fritto Misto, which are two of the satisfying shareable starters. For first timers, the signature item Tour of Italy should be a default order. It comes with Chicken Parmigiana, Lasagna Classico, and Fettuccine Alfredo, all in one plate, taking you on a walk around the warm Italian countryside while giving you the best bang for your buck.

Other classic favorites include the world-famous Amazing Alfredos (the sauce of which is made of pure Italian cheese, and not just cream!), the Italian classic Shrimp Scampi, Grilled Chicken Margherita, and the Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara. Recently, four new dishes were added to the already full range of lunch and dinner menu. These flavorful and filling plates, served with a choice of mashed potato or steamed rice, include Mediterranean Chicken, Chicken Tuscany, Roasted Herb Chicken, and Italian Braised Short Ribs. Don’t forget that you can request for freshly grated parmesan for all your salads, soups, appetizers, and entrees. Non-alcoholic beverages and cocktails are also available at the bar, such as the well-liked Italian Margarita, Strawberry Bellini, Simply Peach, and Hibiscus-oh. If you still have room for dessert after those never-ending breadsticks, salad, and soups, the Mango and Strawberry cheesecake and the warm Italian doughnuts called Zeppoli (which comes with a delicate chocolate dip) are the sweetest ways to end a hearty meal.

“We did modify a bit especially the portions; the large portions remain but we also introduced smaller portions just to fit the Filipino market. These are perfect for people who eat alone, or if there are only two of you and you want to try more dishes on the menu. But the menu is the same as in the US, and we use the finest ingredients, and imported cheeses for all our dishes,” Tiongson explained.

The vibe at the Verve

Olive Garden at The Verve can seat up to 148 guests and sports the brand’s olive-green hues which matches its rustic but natural and cozy Italian countryside ambiance. All these compliment BGC High Street South’s viridescent landscape. So, if you are on the way home from work and you believe you deserve a reward, or you want to treat your loved ones out for a memorable lunch or dinner, check out the latest Olive Garden branch in BGC. It’s the picture-perfect venue where intimate meals or celebrations can be savored.

Planning to visit soon? Olive Garden The Verve, BGC is open Monday to Thursday (11am – 10pm), and Friday to Sunday (10am – 11pm). Check out their Facebook: /OliveGardenPhilippines and Instagram: @olivegardenphilippines.

About OLIVE GARDEN

At Olive Garden, we know that life is better together, and everyone is happiest when they’re with family. As the leader in the Italian dining segment, Olive Garden has more than 900 restaurants globally. Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants. At Darden, our people equal our success, and we are proud to employ more than 175,000 team members in more than 1,800 restaurants.

About The Bistro Group

Founded in 1994, The Bistro Group is one of the Philippines’ most progressive restaurant chains that popularized the casual dining concept with the entry of TGIFridays in the country over 25 years ago. Its success led to the launch of other reputable, world-class brands such as Italianni’s, Denny’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Texas Roadhouse and Hard Rock Café among others as well as Asian concepts like Watami,Modern Shanghai, Bulgogi Brothers and Fish & Co. In May last year, The Bistro Group introduced LA’s iconic Randy’s Donuts which was received enthusiastically by the local market. The company also owns and operates Bistronomia, a collection of boutique Spanish/Mediterranean restaurants, Las Flores, Rambla, Tomatito, BCN by Las Flores and Rumba. TBG Elite by The Bistro Group’s Executive Corporate Chef, Josh Boutwood, is also a part of the company. Its premier restaurants, driven by quality ingredients, seasonality and unique cooking methods are Helm, The Test Kitchen, Savage and Ember.

ADVT