Olive Garden In Harlem Grand Opening Today

Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for. It’s the grand opening of Olive Garden in Harlem at 100 W. 125th St. If you grew up in Harlem like I did you know how Harlem used to look and what a big difference it is now. Who would ever think we would have a Olive Garden in Harlem or for that case any of the stores and restaurants that are there now? If my father, great grandmother and grandmother could see it now. 

Yesterday, December 12 was the ribbon cutting ceremony and city officials, in partnership with The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. came out and supported General Manager, Daryl Cunningham whose been with Olive Garden for 12 years. There was a live band, food and great conversation wishing Daryl success and supporting the restaurant by coming back to dine with friends and family. It was a great turn out. 

The new restaurant will feature an updated design with new artwork, fabrics and materials, lighting, seating, countertops and flooring, as well as a display of the new “Olive Garden Italian Kitchen” logo sign. The 10,000-square-foot restaurant will accommodate more than 300 guests and will create more than 170 new jobs for the surrounding community. Prior to the opening, the Harlem Olive Garden restaurant hosted Friends and Family events with free meals and proceeds benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem.

The Harlem restaurant, Olive Garden’s third location in New York City, features 19 bar tables, more than twice the number in a typical Olive Garden. It also has an elegant wine wall that reinforces the integral role wine plays in Italian dining.

The thing that excites me most about NROs (New Restaurant Opening) is the opportunity it gives us to add value and exposure to both the community and our company,” said General Manager Daryl Cunningham at the Harlem restaurant. “So much effort goes into selecting great new team members who reflect the best each new community has to offer, and I love watching them grow!”

Olive Garden’s menu continues to feature guest favorites, such as the Lasagna Classico and unlimited Soup, Salad and Breadsticks, as well as new Lighter Italian Fare dishes, like Shrimp Scampi and Chicken Piccata, inspired by the Mediterranean region of Italy. Additionally, guests can enjoy new innovations, such as the Grilled Chicken Piadina and the Spicy Calabrian Chicken Breadstick Sandwich.

I have quite a few favorites to share with you when you come to the restaurant. Just ask me and don’t forget dessert. 

I attended another event Olive Garden had in the summer on the High Line and that’s where I met Daryl Cunningham. He mentioned Olive Garden was coming to Harlem and I told him I would love to be part of the restaurant and applied for a job and now I am proud to be a Certified Host. So come bring your family and friends and join us. Experience a family friendly restaurant, very delicious food, great ambience and the best friendly staff and service you ever had. 

Disclosure: I was invited to attend this event. This is not a compensated post. Opinions are mine 100% as always. My employment with Olive Garden did not have an influence on my opinions. I am writing this post as a blogger. Some pictures courtesy of Hubert Williams.