If you are looking for an interruption-free evening out, Macaroni Grill in Friendly Center is not your best bet. But, if you’ll endure any number of annoyances for the finest focaccia in town, it’s the Promised Land.I had lunch at Macaroni Grill on a Friday afternoon, and despite the packed parking lot, my friend and I were seated immediately. The dining room had a semi-formal Tuscan feel, punctuated by colossal floral arrangements in ornate vases.

My favorite element of ambiance, however, was the paper table cloth and handful of crayons we were supplied with, of which I took full advantage.

The menu was extensive, with items ranging from the most basic – spaghetti with meatballs – to pricier veal and lobster dishes. Entrees ranged from seven to fourteen dollars.

The “create your own pasta dish” is an excellent option for vegetarians, but vegans beware; the menu is a breeding ground of cheeses, cream sauces, and once cuddly critters.

My choice was Pasta Milano ($ 7.99): bowtie pasta with grilled chicken, sun dried tomatoes, and mushrooms in a cream sauce. Translation: bowtie pasta with scant shreds of some sort of poultry, a sprinkling of veggies, and a week’s worth of MSG.

I was satisfied, nevertheless, to pick out a few bites of poultry and nibble at our loaf of still warm, perfectly salted, crusty focaccia, served with extra virgin olive oil – the highlight of my culinary experience!

The downfall of my experience was the service. I was asked to fill out an extensive survey with probing questions from marital status to household income, as well as call a toll-free number to take yet another survey. The manager peddling this phone-in survey was abrasive to say the least.

Our server, on the other hand, was overzealous in the extreme. He hovered around our table like a sweat bee drawn to our perfume, making small talk and distracting me from fully enjoying my focaccia.

The bottom line. The total bill was just $20 (without gratuity) for the two of us, and neither of us has suffered any signs of food poisoning. I’d give the Macaroni Grill a second chance before crossing it completely off my list.