My wife, who prides herself on her Italian cooking, also enjoys the food at Macaroni Grill (as she does at Olive Garden ... though she doesn't care for OG's breadsticks -- which just means more for me!)
I’m of Italian descent too, and any “italian” chain restos’ are suspect. BUT I’ve eaten at the so-called “best” Italian restaurants here in Hollywood and most of them are overrated and the servers were morons. The best cannoli I ever ate was at this really small restaurant so small they only have 6 tables inside and 1 waiter.