This past week I participated in the annual Mayors and Managers breakfast sponsored by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce. At that breakfast I was able to announce that the Olive Garden Restaurant is coming to Methuen, at the Loop. The Olive Garden will utilize the space formerly occupied by the Maccaroni Grill. Olive Garden will demolish the building and build a brand new structure, with construction slated to begin in the spring. Methuen has attracted some of the very top restaurants in the country here, and Olive Garden will be a welcome addition to our great lineup of fine dining. Congrats to our Economic Development Director Karen Sawyer, who continues to produce great results for Methuen even in these difficult economic times. Bon Appetit!
-
Recently Written
- A Look at President Carter: The White House Years by Stuart Eizenstat
- The Methuen Inaugural Now and Then 2026 Edition
- A Look at “King of Kings” by Scott Anderson
- The Lessons of Munich
- A Look at “Stuck” by Yoni Appelbaum
- Town of Seabrook 2024 Water Sewer Financial Reports
- A Look at Apple in China by Patrick McGee
- A Look at Presidential Command by Peter Rodman
- Seabrook Announces Tax Agreement With NextEra
- Seabrook Memorial Day 2025
Archive
Categories
- Appeasement
- Books
- Brexit
- Capital Improvement Plan
- Casino Gaming
- Education
- Education Reform
- Electoral Map
- Fifth Congressional
- Greece
- Health Care Reform
- History
- International
- Ireland
- Manzi in the Morning
- Media
- Merrimack Valley Politics
- Methuen
- Methuen City Council
- Methuen Mayor's Race
- Munich Conference
- Municipal Finance
- Music
- National News
- NextEra
- Resiliency
- Seabrook
- Song of the Week
- Sports
- State News
- Surveys
- Technology Beat
- Transportation Finance
- U.S. Senate Race
- Uncategorized
- WCAP Podcast
Bill Manzi.com 
On a somewhat related note, are there any real Italians out there who know where to go for real Italian food around this area (outside your own kitchen)? Everywhere I go outside the North End, it’s embarrassingly awful.
-FM
LikeLike
You’re right about that Fred, however that will not deter Hizzonor from tucking into a LARGE antipasto, with extra sausage, followed by several other menue items. After the ribbon cutting of course. :O
LikeLike
Trattoria Amalfi…In all my visits there, I only have a single complaint — unfortunately, on my last visit.
been there many times, I have faith(?) it’s not an indicator of things to come…
LikeLike
Mayor Manzi:
Congrats on Olive Gardens into Methuen. Now what about the empty car dealer behind Dunkin, Outback and McDonalds on Pehlam Street. Also, their is a barren lot next to Shadis on Osgood Street. If an well established business or restaurant could come there then this could be more tax revenue we can get and avoid cuts in services due to the upcoming cuts from the State.
Gerard
LikeLike
Ben,
As Mayor I must certainly try the food at all ribbon cuttings! To do less would be an abdication of responsibility.
Bill
LikeLike
Undoubtedly so, and rude, too. How else can you recommend it to others?
-FM
LikeLike
Jim:
What do they do well at Amalfi, if you don’t mind my asking?
-FM
LikeLike
Plus, I’ll give you guys this one: La Cascias in Burlington. If you want the best steak tips sub you will ever have, go here. Get Chips Tips, substitute soapressata for the pepperoni.
PS. Mr. Mayor, the cannolis are good, too.
http://www.lacascias.com/
LikeLike
FM: Perosnally I like the Veal Parm. The veal is so tender, they must beat it till it bleats 😉
btw, Scola’s in Dracut is another good Italian place.
LikeLike
Olive Garden isn’t bad as far as blandly homogeneous corporate chain restaurants go, but the food served there is as much “real” Italian cuisine as the food at Taco Bell is “real” Mexican.
OK, it’s a little better than that. 🙂
LikeLike
Jim:
Thanks … btw, Scola’s is where I last had one of the worst Italian meals of my life. The fact that I had dragged 4 couples there was the kicker. Fortunately, it looked like I got the worst of it with a veal marsala. I hope, anyway. At least there was lots of it …
Craig:
Yep, just that. It’s to Italian food what Red Lobster is to seafood (and owned by the same corporate parent). Chain Italian doesn’t work for me, I’m sure my grandmother would be looking down, shaking her head ….
-FM
LikeLike