The new Olive Garden in Kingston at the Kingston Plaza Mall was very busy for lunch today. I don't remember ever having to wait for a table for lunch in the Hudson Valley so I was a bit amused when the hostess asked for my name and told me it would be about 10-15 minutes, and handed me a buzzer. The space is huge, with a few hall-size rooms, and a semi-private dining area for groups. Our waiter Ryan was very attentive, and the food was brought out very quickly, and the food and plates seemed extra hot. I had heard a lot about these bread-sticks there, and they were quite good. A lot of diners were extra-happy to be there because of the novelty factor.
Now that chain restaurants in Ulster County have to include calories on the menu, I feel less guilty about ordering. I started with the pasta e faglioi soup, and I split an order of stuffed mushrooms with my husband. He had the chicken marsala for his main dish, and I had the portobello raviolis which were really rich, but surprisingly only 450 calories. Next time I go, I'll try one the dipping sauces for the bread-sticks. A couple friends of mine swear the bread-sticks are the best in the world. That is a bit of an exaggeration, but it is hard to stop at one. I'll have to work it off this weekend. I did see quite a few families with babies and young children here so definitely baby friendly. They even have those Koala holders for car-seats. Olive Garden, 560 Kings Mall Court, Kingston, NY. (845) 336-4867. Have you been to the new Olive Garden in Kignston? How was it?