you know that i love my kids.
and my husband.
more than anything...
but sometimes a mama needs a girls' night out!
my running buddies and i hit the town for a movie and dinner.
we were so excited to be out and off the clock.
for dinner we chose Olive Garden.
we drove to this brand new one, looked around, and there were only a few cars.
we found out they opened the NEXT DAY.
we got a great laugh out of our luck.
we drove to the next one, and it was time to relax, unwind and catch up with each other.
it was one mama's birthday.
CHEERS!
when eating at Olive Garden, i look forward to the salad.
and the hot breadsticks...YUM.
the flavors are the same as they always have been.
i love that.
we ordered appetizers.
this was the first time i have had the Caprese Flatbread. it was so good!
Mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil on a flatbread crust.
it could be a meal on its own.
you can never go wrong with lasagna.
it's always good.
always.
it makes me feel like i am enjoying a home cooked meal.
one friend ordered Capellini Pomodoro.
Roma tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil and marinara sauce tossed with capellini.
i was debating on ordering it myself.
it is one of my favorite meals.
our waitress was very helpful and highly recommended the Stuffed Chicken Marsala.
doesn't it look tasty?
it was chicken breast stuffed with cheeses and sun-dried tomatoes with mushrooms and a creamy marsala sauce on top. it was served with mashed potatoes.
i ordered the Five Cheese Baked Ziti.
it was perfect.
i love that Olive Garden has big portions.
i was able to bring home half my meal and enjoy leftovers the next day!
that is a real treat when getting to go out.
or i get to share with my husband when i get home as a "thank you" for giving me some time away.
we decided to try several desserts...just to be safe.
you can tell which was the table favorite.
we ordered a Toasted Marshmallow Martini.
wow.
i think i found my new special going out drink.
seriously delicious.
we passed it around till it was gone to the last drop.
a clean plate is the sign of a good dinner.
spending time laughing and talking with my friends is necessary for me to be a better mom and wife.
everyone needs some down time.
i love sharing it with these friends.
when you get away from the chaos of everyday life to reconnect with people, you are blessed.
and having a fabulous meal while enjoying all that is even better.
Olive Garden is offering a new dinner special.
a 3 Course Italian Dinner for $12.95...the 1st course is soup or salad...the 2nd course is one of five new entrees, and the 3rd course is one of five Dolcini desserts. check out all of the options at Olivegarden.com/specials.
would YOU like to spend time with special people at Olive Garden?
to be entered to win a $100 gift card to Olive Garden from BlogHer just leave a comment telling me who you'd love to take to dinner.
Also, visit the Olive Garden page on BlogHer.com to check out the other blogger reviews and more chances to win!
i love olive garden. i would take my husband - we are in need of a date night and would love to spend some time with him before our 3rd child is born (just a few more weeks)
Posted by: abigal | January 30, 2012 at 09:42 AM
Wow that food looks amazing! Definitely makes me want some Olive Garden! A date night would be fun.
Posted by: Caitlynne | January 30, 2012 at 09:43 AM
Would definitely enjoy a night out with my husband!
Posted by: Tami Veer | January 30, 2012 at 09:43 AM
I would treat my wonderful, hard working husband to a night out. We would probably invite the kids too;)
Thanks!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 30, 2012 at 09:43 AM
Yummy!! Havent been to olive garden in yrs...:( And my 13 yr daughter keeps asking can we go ther,so id take her...:)
Posted by: christy | January 30, 2012 at 09:44 AM
I would treat all my mama-girlfriends. As the one without children, I always like to make sure they get out of the house a few times a year!
Posted by: Lynn | January 30, 2012 at 09:45 AM
I love the Olive Garden and have for a while. Its always good and not expensive. I would definitely take my husband, but a girls night out is good too!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 30, 2012 at 09:45 AM
i'd arrange for a date night for me and hubs, for sure!
Posted by: caren wise | January 30, 2012 at 09:45 AM
I'd love to take my best friend, we haven't hung out in a long time since she moved away.
Posted by: Allison | January 30, 2012 at 09:47 AM
I would take my girls. They are working their way through College and rarely get a treat. They are so deserving! We don't go out to eat often so what a special night this would be!
Posted by: Talia | January 30, 2012 at 09:48 AM
i would have a date night with my 2 amazing kids! they are looking foward to our "first" valentines day just the 3 of us so it would be perfect for that!
Posted by: angela | January 30, 2012 at 09:49 AM
Love the caprese flatbread! I would take my man! We love our kids, but we also love a night out to ourselves!
Posted by: Amber | January 30, 2012 at 09:50 AM
I am taking my sweet man! We need a night away!
Posted by: Joy | January 30, 2012 at 09:50 AM
I LOVE Olive Garden!! I'd pick it every time my hubby & went out if I could!!;) The salad is definitely my fave!!
Posted by: karen peachey | January 30, 2012 at 09:51 AM
I would take my husband. We haven't had a chance to go out together in a really, really long time.
Posted by: the domestic fringe | January 30, 2012 at 09:52 AM
Olive Garden is my FAVORITE!!! I got a gift card there for Christmas...LUCKY ME, right?
Posted by: Rebecca | January 30, 2012 at 09:53 AM
I would take a couple of my best girlfriends, how fun it would be to treat them all to dinner!@ Love the Olive Garden!!
Posted by: Lisa S | January 30, 2012 at 09:54 AM
I would love to take my son to have some one on one time with him.
Posted by: Rachel Matilda | January 30, 2012 at 09:55 AM
Tweeted too! https://twitter.com/#!/JennJGreeley/status/164011972210327553
Posted by: Jennifer | January 30, 2012 at 09:56 AM
I would go with my husband. We rarely get a night out alone. On one of your visits you should try the Pasta e Fagioli soup. It is a favorite.
Posted by: Paula Caldwell | January 30, 2012 at 09:58 AM
A date night with my honey!
Posted by: Jessica Kiehn | January 30, 2012 at 09:59 AM
I'm so hungry now. Me and hubby need to catch up on our date nights, so he would be my date for sure. Thank you.
Posted by: Margo | January 30, 2012 at 09:59 AM
Humm.. probably the best friend, we have always had a thing for the unlimited salad and breadsticks!! We could do a little wedding planning while we enjoy!!
Posted by: Sara | January 30, 2012 at 10:01 AM
I would take my husband. We rarely get a date night, so this would be an awesome dinner at an awesome place!
Posted by: Larissa | January 30, 2012 at 10:02 AM
I'd love to take my girlfriends to dinner! a girls night out would be awesome. :)
Posted by: Jodi | January 30, 2012 at 10:03 AM
I would love to take my husband and kids out for a special dinner! Seeing how they work so hard in school and sports and how my husband works so hard as well. I would love to say "My treat". Hehe:). By the way, loved your setup for craft weekend! Could I be on your next guest list?
Posted by: Candice | January 30, 2012 at 10:04 AM
I would take my husband! It would be a fabulous night out.
Posted by: Jackie M. | January 30, 2012 at 10:04 AM
I tweeted about the giveaway here:
https://twitter.com/#!/JodiEvans776/status/164016397385601024
Posted by: Jodi | January 30, 2012 at 10:06 AM
I would love to go with my sisters! We always have a good time!
Posted by: stephanie | January 30, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Out to dinner! What a concept! My husband hasn't had an income in over a year so beans and rice have been great food! But, an Olive Garden, actual out to dinner night would be awesome! I would take my husband and my daughters for a lovely evening out!
Enjoy your blog - you inspire me.
Posted by: Steph | January 30, 2012 at 10:08 AM
my hubby! With three little girls in the house, we haven't had a date night in ages!
Posted by: MH Toth | January 30, 2012 at 10:09 AM
An Olive Garden is opening near us soon. We live in the middle of nowhere and it's the talk of the town! Glad you had a great time with girlfriends...we need that time.
Posted by: Tammy EL | January 30, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Date night! Oh yes please. Maybe with a gift card we could actually order our own meal and not share and still have dessert! Oh Yum!
Posted by: nancy beach | January 30, 2012 at 10:12 AM
I would take a few friends. This mommy needs a night out!
Posted by: Mollie | January 30, 2012 at 10:15 AM
I would take my Jon :-)
Posted by: Rachel B. | January 30, 2012 at 10:15 AM
date night with my hubby of course!
Posted by: Andrea Siebert | January 30, 2012 at 10:16 AM
I would take my hubs...it has been forever since we had a date night. must make that happen soon. thx for the daily inspo! and now for the temptation to go have some olive garden soup and salad with breadsticks for lunch!!
Posted by: Misty C | January 30, 2012 at 10:16 AM
I love going out with my girls.
Posted by: Seriously Sassy Mama | January 30, 2012 at 10:17 AM
My hubby for sure!
Posted by: Julie | January 30, 2012 at 10:17 AM
My husband doesn't like Olive Garden so I'd take my small group gals from church.
Posted by: Sarah Pinault | January 30, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Oh, how would I decide? My sweet husband or my dear daughter, who is getting married in August and will be moving to Ohio to start her newly married life. Either way, it would be wonderful! We LOVE LOVE LOVE Olive Garden!
P.S. The chocolate tuxedo cake (I think that's what it's called) is TO DIE FOR!
Posted by: Jen | January 30, 2012 at 10:19 AM
i love olive garden so much!!!
Posted by: ira lee | January 30, 2012 at 10:19 AM
I would love to take my fellow women's ministry team leaders...to plan for our events next year!
Posted by: Sara B. | January 30, 2012 at 10:20 AM
This girls night sounds fun, I think I'd have to take some friends out! We even have a new Olive Garden in my town!
Posted by: Jermaine D. | January 30, 2012 at 10:21 AM
Olive Garden is one of my favorite restaurants! I have been reading your blog for awhile now and I would LOVE to take you to dinner! I truly respect what you put out there on your blog and really admire how you write about the good and the bad, but you do it in a way that is respectful to the situation and your family. I also love your pictures! You are very talented!
Posted by: Sam | January 30, 2012 at 10:22 AM
I would take my boyfriend. I love the "tour de Italy" that comes with fettuccine, lasagna, and chicken parm!
Posted by: Alyssa | January 30, 2012 at 10:23 AM
My BFF and I always go there for our Nights/Days out :) She and I both love it! I usually stick with the trusty Chicken Alfredo :) My hubs isn't a pasta fan(unless it's mac & cheese) and ALH can't get to my left overs yet, so they're all mine!
I love their Moscato...it's the best!! I will have to try that Toasted Marshmallow Martini, I know I would LURVE it!!!
Posted by: Whitney | January 30, 2012 at 10:25 AM
You can never go wrong with Olive Garden. The food is consistently yummy. I would take my Mom if I won. She is 90 and does not get out often. Whenever I ask her where she would like to go she ALWAYS chooses Olive Garden.
Posted by: Amy James | January 30, 2012 at 10:26 AM
I'd love to spend some time with my friends Bethany and Lisa. They are such a blessing to me and it would be awesome to treat them.
Thanks!
Posted by: April R | January 30, 2012 at 10:26 AM
I also could use a Girls Night Out....you are so right, it is much needed to be a better wife! (I'm not a mommy yet.) So I would take some amazing girlfriends! :)
Posted by: Erika C. | January 30, 2012 at 10:29 AM
I would take my mom and my sister, since my moms birthday is coming up and we could really use some time together just the three of us.
Posted by: Emily | January 30, 2012 at 10:30 AM
I would take my husband, because we haven't had a date night in quite awhile. :)
Posted by: Briana | January 30, 2012 at 10:33 AM
I would take my husband...since our daughter moved back home with her two little ones, we don't get much time alone anymore.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 30, 2012 at 10:34 AM
I would take my mom! We don't go out often enough and could make a couple of trips with this prize. Awesome.
Posted by: Laura in LA | January 30, 2012 at 10:34 AM
I would take my husband and kids! They love Olive Garden!
Posted by: mami2jcn | January 30, 2012 at 10:35 AM
A night with my man is always my favorite . . . . runner up is a night out with girlfriends!!! Both fuel me up!! Your pics made me hungry and it's only 10:30am
Posted by: Nicole Q. | January 30, 2012 at 10:35 AM
tweet--https://twitter.com/#!/mami2jcn/status/164023773652205568
Posted by: mami2jcn | January 30, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Definitely go out on a double date with some friends of ours. No kids allowed!! :)
Posted by: Andrea | January 30, 2012 at 10:36 AM
I tweeted about the giveaway:
https://twitter.com/#!/SweetCGrace/status/164024098391998465
Posted by: Briana | January 30, 2012 at 10:36 AM
i would take a couple girlfriends. nothing better than a girls night out!
Posted by: jen smith | January 30, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Yummy! Me and my girlfriend love chilling at Olive Garden! Of course, I should probably bring my fiance for a date, since he treats me all the time!
Posted by: Meaghan | January 30, 2012 at 10:37 AM
Me! Me! I've actually been craving it lately :)
Posted by: Sarah Wolfe | January 30, 2012 at 10:40 AM
I would take the group of ladies I belly dance with. We've been working crazy stupid hours to prepare for competition and this would be something to look forward to...being pampered and letting our hair down. And I REALLY want a toasted Marshmallow Martini right now and it's only 8:43 a.m.!!!
Posted by: Kat Atomic Grrl | January 30, 2012 at 10:43 AM
I guess I would take my husband. We need a date! just the two of us... sounds so good.
Thank you for the giveaway :)
Posted by: zoraya | January 30, 2012 at 10:44 AM
Hi, I would take my husband out for his birthday on March 1st.
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
I luv your blog.
Sharon
slw_kerr@yahoo.com
Posted by: Sharon | January 30, 2012 at 10:45 AM
My hubby of course!!
Posted by: Katie Sellers | January 30, 2012 at 10:45 AM
What a wonderful giveaway. Thank you.
I would def have a girls night. I havent had one in over a year and it would be amazing to enjoy that.
Posted by: Bree | January 30, 2012 at 10:47 AM
I would take my BFF Colleen. We go to Olive Garden rarely, usually to celebrate something. With $100 we could both take our husbands too!
Posted by: Sarah | January 30, 2012 at 10:48 AM
i think i like you're idea. i'll take out my momma friends for a nice night with no babies on our hips.
Posted by: beth | January 30, 2012 at 10:49 AM
The Fam, including husband, preschooler and toddler. My toddler is a growing boy and has been known to eat an entire adult entree, so $100 would be awesome! Thanks! How was craft weekend? Do tell soon!
Posted by: Laurie Johnson | January 30, 2012 at 10:49 AM
I'd take my hubby and my three girls, they've never been there! :)
Posted by: Gina | January 30, 2012 at 10:50 AM
Oh I would love to go with my husband and kids:) We never go out because with seven kids it just cost way to much!! Thanks for this chance:)
Posted by: Elma | January 30, 2012 at 10:54 AM
my mama and sister. Olive Garden is their very favorite place! It would make them so very happy! xoxo...
Posted by: tiffany gardner | January 30, 2012 at 10:54 AM
wow, it's been FAR too long since i've been to olive garden! these pictures look sooo good! man, i need to plan a girls night there! i would take my friends. :)
Posted by: Wendy | January 30, 2012 at 10:55 AM
Yummy! It has been forever since I have ate at Olive Garden! If I could go I would nervously leave our 12 week old and 3 year old daughters with a sitter and have a quiet dinner with my handsome husband!
Posted by: Megan | January 30, 2012 at 11:01 AM
I would love to take my friends out to dinner!
Posted by: Melissa | January 30, 2012 at 11:02 AM
I too would take my husband! We don't get out on our own much at all. Does an hour of Sunday school at church together count?
Posted by: Michelle | January 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM
I would love to have a quiet, delicious dinner at Olive Garden with my husband. Last time we went we brought our 5 children. One of our three year old twins was getting antsy after dinner so I left with him to wait outside. He had fun running around and circling a tree when all of a sudden he lost his dinner in front of the crowd waiting outside. It was lovely. A romantic dinner at Olive Garden sounds wonderful.
Posted by: Trudy | January 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM
Oh my goodness, I went to Olive Garden twice this weekend with my gal pals. We couldn't get enough soup and salad! Their new low calorie Pomegranate Limetta and the White Peach Cooler are delicous as well! You should try them! Plus I'm on Weight Watchers and I love that my favorite Pasta e Fagioli is only 3 points a bowl! Mmm, mmmm, mmmm!!
Posted by: Allison Troyer | January 30, 2012 at 11:04 AM
I would love to take my sister out to dinner! She's one of my best friend's and has hit a rough patch recently. Last week her car died and her manager declined her request for vacation! Thanks for sharing such a great giveaway!
Posted by: Kelly G | January 30, 2012 at 11:06 AM
I would take husband, our 5 kids and my parents! We would thoroughly enjoy a nice dinner together with someone else doing the cooking!
Posted by: Christy | January 30, 2012 at 11:08 AM
I would love to take my daughter for a Mommy and Me date. She's 11 now, with friends and hobbies and harder schoolwork, so time together is very rare and precious to me. Connecting over a great meal would mean so much.
Posted by: Chantel | January 30, 2012 at 11:08 AM
Now I'm starving :) I used to work at Olive Garden in college and after SO MANY meals there I still love their food. YUM! My oldest has always asked him to take him sometime to the Olive Garden but we're on a tight budget. I'd treat him!
Posted by: Janelle | January 30, 2012 at 11:08 AM
I would LOVE to take my sis out on a well deserved girls night out! We both are overdue! Haha! Thanks for doing this promo Megan, your promos never sound like promos....
Posted by: chantelle | January 30, 2012 at 11:09 AM
Oh, how I love Olive Garden! I would take my sister out to dinner if I won...she's getting ready to move across the state and I'm going to miss her so much!
Posted by: Shelby A. | January 30, 2012 at 11:10 AM
I would love to take my husband and 3 boys! They can put away a lot of food. :)
Posted by: Ingrid | January 30, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I would either take my handsome, hard-working husband, or my 12-year old daughter for some mommy/daughter time.
Posted by: Dana | January 30, 2012 at 11:11 AM
I'd love, love to be able to spend $100 at Olive Garden! Yum!!! I'd take my daughter out b/c it's her fav!! =)
Posted by: Lelia | January 30, 2012 at 11:16 AM
I would take my 14 year old son. He is growing up WAY too fast and this mom just wants time to slow down just a little. So a quiet dinner without his brothers and sister would sure be nice.
Posted by: Dawn O. | January 30, 2012 at 11:17 AM
I would take the 2 girlfriends who were my first friends when I moved to the east coast. I was so grateful for their friendship then and love that we're still friends almost 6 years later. They are definitely my sanity and we do not get out as much as we should. Thanks fro such a great giveaway!
Posted by: Routhie | January 30, 2012 at 11:18 AM
Definitely my husband!
Posted by: Katie g | January 30, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I love Olive Garden! My husband and I went there two weeks ago and would be happy to go back soon!
Posted by: Elena | January 30, 2012 at 11:19 AM
My husband and I had our first baby in June and haven't been on a proper date night since then! We don't have family in town, so we don't really have readily available babysitters and we are on a budget to boot, so this giftcard would be a godsend! Oh, how I long for you eggplant parm ... it calls me by name :)
Posted by: Kara K | January 30, 2012 at 11:20 AM
tweet-https://twitter.com/#!/ElenaIstomina/status/164035126240612352
Posted by: Elena | January 30, 2012 at 11:20 AM
I would take my Grandma and Grandpa, they don't eat out much, and O.G. is one of their Fav resturants. I think It would be a very special treat. and Since I love them to pieces.
Posted by: stephanie Janes | January 30, 2012 at 11:20 AM
My Husband! We don't live near family and don't get any time to ourselves, since there is no one to watch the kids for us! So if I won, I'd drive the 7 hours up to my parents house and we'd go out to dinner every night until the gift card was used up! 3 date nights in a row, I would guess! Yipee!!!!
Posted by: Melissa Bailey | January 30, 2012 at 11:22 AM
I would take my cutest hubby. We love Olive Garden.
Posted by: chrissi | January 30, 2012 at 11:25 AM
I would take my hubby, date nights are few and far between with two under 2 in our house and not having to pay out of pocket makes a date even better!
Posted by: Carrie H | January 30, 2012 at 11:26 AM
I tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/carriehaughey/status/164037024398053376
Posted by: Carrie H | January 30, 2012 at 11:27 AM
Oh! Mygosh! I'd do just about ANYthing for that Toasted Marshmellow Martini!
Posted by: 4FabFranklins | January 30, 2012 at 11:28 AM