Alaska's First Olive Garden to Open, Alaskans Rejoice

Alaskans! Put down that fermented penguin, stewed moss, whale blubber, and whatever it is you people eat up there. And fire up the snowmobile. Because the great state of Alaska is finally getting its first Olive Garden, the restaurant chain that offers genuine Italian cuisine in an authentic Tuscan environment that only Darden Restaurants, Inc., a multi-brand restaurant operator headquartered in Florida, could provide.

The Anchorage Daily News reports that the location is set to open this coming Monday in the Tikahtnu Commons shopping center. Also: "Alaskans have been clamoring for it for years." Now the 5,154 fans of the "We want an Olive Garden In Anchorage!!!" Facebook group will be satiated with the speedy arrival of purposely-overcooked pasta, frosted salad bowls, and "culinary forward" dishes like gorgonzola ravioli with shrimp.

· The date is set: Olive Garden opens Monday [Anchorage Daily News]
· All Olive Garden Coverage on Eater [-E-]