The Olive Garden New Year's Eve 2008 Review

I haven%26#39;t really seen many reviews for this so thought I would post one for people looking to go here in the future.

Firstly we bought our tickets at the beginning of November by sending an International Draft to the Olive Garden as they wouldn%26#39;t accept payment by credit card. It was $250 per person plus $10 for them to send us the tickets here in the UK. This includes a buffet dinner, an open bar and champagne at midnight.

The instructions sent with the tickets said that entry would be at 8.00pm and that no lining up outside would be allowed as you would be moved on by the police. We arrived at the restaurant at 7.40pm as we weren%26#39;t sure how long it would take us to get through the crowds and when we got there, there were about 100 people already queued up outside so we were at the back of the queue and it is first come first served for choice of table.

When they let us in around 7.50pm we did manage to get a table by a window but it was more on the side of the restaurant so we didn%26#39;t really have a view of Times Square. We did have a view of the corwds though and still had the atmosphere. Some late comers had tables but nowhere near a window so it is best to get there early.

The restaurant is on the second floor so it is a decent view. Later in the evening Bill and Hilary Clinton were on the street directly below us so at least we had a view of that.

The buffet was ready as soon as we arrived. There wasn%26#39;t a huge choice but it was ok food.

There was table service for drinks (free drinks all night) but this was quite slow so it was easier to go to the bar yourself.

There was quite a long queue but if you wanted just wine or beer there was a separate bar near the toilets with no queue.

There was a dance floor on one side of the restaurant or you could sit at your table all night.

We were allowed outside at midnight where you can clearly see the ball drop and when you go back inside you get complimentary champagne.

Overall I would definitely recommend going here for your New Year%26#39;s Eve celebrations in Times Square.