Italian-American restaurant chain Olive Garden opened its third branch at The Verve in Taguig City that features four new dishes on its menu.
The event likewise coincided with Olive Garden’s first anniversary in the country after it first opened the doors of its SM Mall of Asia branch to Filipinos in September 2022.
“It has the same menu in the US. However, in the Philippines’ menu, we try to modify it a bit,” said RC Tiongson, chief operating officer of Olive Garden.
“We introduced entrees with rice. We introduced four items for the Philippines to adapt also with the Filipino taste palate where our comfort food is rice,” she added.
The new dishes – Mediterranean Chicken, Chicken Tuscany, Roasted Herb Chicken, and Italian Braised Short Ribs – can be paired with either rice or mashed potato.
“For those who don’t like eating pasta, we have some rice and mashed potato to offer as well,” Tiongson said.
Zachary Reams, Learning and Development Partner of Darden International that owns the Olive Garden franchise, said each dish on the menu is delivered with a consistent quality of service across locations.
“Our menu is the same and our service standard is the same with that consistent level throughout each location,” Reams said.
Asked how The Verve branch is distinct from Olive Garden’s other two branches in the country, Tiongson said each store is connected but different in terms of design and concept.
“Like for this one [at The Verve], the wallpapers and the special lighting are different, but you won’t recognize it unless you’ve been to the second restaurant. Common across our designs is the inviting ambience that feels just like at home,” she said.
Tiongson also revealed to Manila Standard Cravings the locations where Filipinos can spot the next branches of the Italian-American restaurant.
“For Olive Garden, we have two in our pipeline – in Opus Mall and in Shangri-La EDSA that will open next year,” she said.
Tiongson also disclosed that Olive Garden is now in the process of developing new offerings for the holidays.
“And even if it’s not yet Christmas, we already have some exciting offers because we have credit card tie-ups which offer you a 50% discount for Olive Garden from Friday to Sunday,” she said.
“And we’re developing some new dishes for the holiday season with the help of our international partner as well,” Tiongson added.