I had big, optimistic plans for getting back on the diet after my week-long getaway to Cape Cod earlier this month (I give myself every permission to eat junk food on vacation–though my roommate might argue that I take a “vacation” every night after dinner!)  Starting last week, I was back in the saddle, eating homemade salads with lots of healthy veggies…until I learned of a little promotion called “The Never Ending Pasta Bowl” at the illustrious Olive Garden.

There may be some of you who argue that the good ol’ O.G. isn’t one of New York’s finest, (this is a “No Judgements” blog post, by the way) but here’s where the Garden earns its gold star: you’ll get endless pasta, salad, and breadsticks for $8.95!!! That’s cheaper than four rides on the subway, just to put things in perspective.

The best part of the promotion: it’s practically a secret.  Yes, it’s on their website, but it’s nowhere to be found on their regular menu, or on any signage inside the restaurant (at least in my experiences at the Chelsea location–yikes, did I say “experiences,” plural?).  Be sure to tell the server you want the special menu for this promotion, and they’ll discretely pull out a small index card (the “menu”) that lists the noodle, sauce, and meat options.

My final secret reveal: the promotion lasts until October 10…so, go get your pasta on! (I’ll probably see you there!)