I’m sure you all have your family’s all-time favorite restaurant – just like we do. And for us, it’s none other than Olive Garden. If you ask my girls where to go for any celebration – birthday, good grades, or “just because” – their idea of celebration means a full Italian classic spread: soup and salad, Alfredo pasta, four cheese ziti, and eggplant Parmesan, all paired with those famous, warm, garlicky breadsticks.
If that lineup doesn’t make you drool, then what will?
For our back-to-school treat this year, I asked the girls to pick the spot, and of course, we ended up at the family-style dinner table at Olive Garden in Noblesville, right across from Hamilton Town Center Mall.
It was packed for a weekday night, as it is most days, but we were pleasantly surprised to get our table quicker than expected. And there was our favorite server, greeting us with a big smile and a “So good to see you guys!” We’ve known her for ages, and her friendly, welcoming attitude is just as much a part of the experience as the food itself.
More than just a meal, going there feels like a little escape. The service is quick, the quality is consistent, and the hospitality shines from start to finish. The kids dive into the tic-tac-toe and coloring on the kids’ menu, and we parents relish a quiet conversation – no kitchen cleanup, no dishes, just one night off from the post-dinner scramble.
Between bites, the girls shared about their first days – favorite activities, new teachers, old friends, cafeteria adventures, and a few first-week hiccups.
And every single time, we say, “That’s enough, no dessert tonight, we’re full.” And every single time, we lie.
Because of that terrific tiramisu … one heavenly slice calls our name. Because life’s too short to skip dessert.
A soft, spongy cake that melts in your mouth, kissed with the deep aroma of coffee and dusted with just enough cocoa powder to make you close your eyes and savor. One forkful and the table goes silent – because everyone’s too busy enjoying it.
Fun fact: “Tiramisu” in Italian means “pick me up” – probably because after a long day, one bite of this creamy coffee dream will lift your spirits straight to the clouds.
I can’t wait to hear your back-to-school family classic meal stories. Please reach out to tasteofcommunity25@gmail.com.
Pooja Thakkar is working to build connections through cuisine. You can read her column each week in the pages of The Reporter.