The 400 Airport Road location is the newest Olive Garden in the chain of more than 750 local restaurants, according to the release. Doors will open at 11 a.m.
The 7,441-square-foot restaurant can host up to 246 guests and features a design inspired by traditional farmhouses found in Tuscany, Italy. Olive Garden design teams traveled to Italy to work with Italian architects Fabio and Lucia Zingarelli and the result is a restaurant design that recreates the warmth and simple beauty of a Tuscan farmhouse, the release says.
The Arden Olive Garden also has a rustic stone exterior, typical of the buildings in the Italian countryside, and an interior accented by Italian imports designed to make the dining experience a tribute to the restaurant’s Italian inspiration, according to the news release.
Ceilings supported by exposed wood beams, stone and wood accents throughout, and terra cotta tile highlight the interior.
In addition, the bar top is crafted from lava stone and hand-painted by artisans in Italy with a design created exclusively for Olive Garden. Vibrant imported fabrics decorate windows and dining seats, while hand-painted plates, adorn rustic stone and stucco walls.
The restaurant also will feature a number of sustainable design elements, including recycled building materials, enlarged windows to increase natural light, low-water landscaping and energy-efficient equipment. These enhancements are part of the Sustainable Restaurant Design initiative launched by Darden Restaurants, Olive Garden’s parent company.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead the Arden restaurant and a great team at Olive Garden,” said James Alexander, newly named general manager. “In addition to our Italian specialties, including signature items like our homemade soups, garden fresh salad and warm, garlic breadsticks, the menu at the Arden Olive Garden will feature limited time offers like our popular Never Ending Pasta Bowl, which allows guests to order any pasta and sauce combination and receive unlimited refills.”
Alexander brings extensive restaurant industry experience to his new position. He has been with Olive Garden for more than nine years, most recently as general manager of the Olive Garden at 121 Tunnel Road in Asheville.
Alexander is one of more than 1,400 managers who have visited Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany in the Tuscan village of Riserva di Fizzano, which serves as the source of inspiration for some dishes on Olive Garden’s menu.
To recognize Alexander’s role as head of the Olive Garden family in Arden and to emphasize the importance the company places on its general managers, Olive Garden honored Alexander by setting his name in stone. Travertine marble imported from Tuscany was chiseled with Alexander’s name and placed prominently by the restaurant’s front door.
Olive Garden is now accepting applications for employment. Please apply online at www.OliveGarden.com/Careers.
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