Maggiano's

Went to Maggiano's with a big group of people from work. We did the family style menu in which we chose two of everything. We got food a plenty. We had food coming out of our ears and noses. The service was very good considering how crowded the restaurant was at the time. The waiter was very nice.

What about the food? Well, it was good. Did I say there was a lot of food? Yes, plenty of food. The appetizers were nice and crisp. We had calimari and zucchini, both fried with a coating of panko or something similar. We also ordered fettucini alfredo, spaghetti bolognese, salmon, and chicken piccata. We added sides of broccoli and asparagus, to help out the vegetarians among us. But, we really didn't have to, you know, because there was a lot of food. Yes, even giant clusters of broccoli.

In case you are wondering, Maggiano's provides good sized portions.

There was, you see, a bunch of food. It is family style so for 10 people we would get a giant platter and one large plate of whatever we ordered in two's. Two pastas, each on two different plates. Two entrees, each on a large platter and a big plate. So, if you're scoring at home that would be two huge platters of entree and two large plates of, well, entrees. That's four holding vessels containing appetizers, four plates of pastas, four plates of entrees, but only two large bowls of salad and it would seem two plates for dessert as well. Two huge wedges of chocolate cake on a large platter and a big wedge on a large plate. We did, however, get four bowls of spumanti for our second dessert.


I don't know how you can make great food with such large crowds and gigantic portions. I don't even think you should expect great food, so I was impressed with the quality of the meal. I was honestly expecting the food in a chain, family style Italian restaurant to suck. It didn't suck and I was pleased to find that the flavors were nice and that in general the food was of good quality. The vegetable could have been a bit fresher. The asparagus not so mushy. The salmon not so cooked. The menu a bit more creative, but these are things you can forgive in a restaurant with such enormous portions.

I did long at times for smaller plates and cleaner tastes and fresher vegetables and unique menu items and innovative cuisine. I didn't get any of these things at Maggiano's, but I did get a bunch of food.

I have a big wedge of chocolate cake in my fridge, want some?