Carrabba's has much yummier food than Olive Garden, but I have enjoyed plenty of their garlic sticks. There was an OG near our old office and we had many a lunch there. Never got sick and enjoyed the comforting pasta.

Chain restaurants have their issues, but there is a certain value in knowing what you are getting. OG worked well with us and the boys. They can eat some bread.

We've done Macaroni Grill as well. My family loves chain restaurants and considers them "fancy." Like, appropriate-for-special-occasions-such-as-anniversaries fancy.

Ginger, acupressure is cheaper than acupuncture because you can do it yourself. I found this book [link] to be very useful for helping with what I now know was a nasty bout of plantar fasciitis, and the tooth pain leading up to my abscessed wisdom tooth. IIRC that book has a section on TMJ. I got it at the library first, and found it so useful it was worth buying. You could probably get it through ILL, and then it wouldn't cost you anything.

It's wonderful that you made it to the five year mark - and you deserve some pain relief that does not cost you an arm or a leg.

The one in Cleveland also used to make some wicked good tiramisu.

I've never tried Buca. My favorite Italian place in Cleveland was Frankie's Pizza. Which wasn't exactly in Cleveland, but in North Olmsted.

My favorite Italian chain is Bertucci's, though I think they are only a local chain (and known more for their very good pizza, but their pasta is also really good; I just almost never get it cause the pizza is so outstanding). I've always wanted to try Carrabba's, though, because I've heard good things about them.

I am not familiar enough with any of these chains to have an opinion. This croissant from the train station that I am having for breakfast, though, is delicious. And an excellent value.

Love the name Kalliope! Welcome to the world, Sparklette.

We have Bertuccis around here - I don't think I've eaten in one, but I've seen them.

Mmmmm Macaroni Grill. I am easy, not that this surprises anyone. I almost always enjoy eating out chain/fancy/diner.

The only truly awful experience I had was in a high end Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. I ordered chicken parmesan and it was disgusting. I couldn't eat it and left all but a bite or two on the plate. The server asked if there was a problem and I confessed that it wasn't edible. No, I didn't want anything else. (It ruined my appetite) The chef came out of the kitchen and Yelled At Me! He was famous for his nasty chicken parm, yell some more, loudly. It was the first and last time I ever complained in a restaurant. Horrible experience. I told everyone I knew for years to never go there.

My favorite Italian chain is Bertucci's, though I think they are only a local chain (and known more for their very good pizza, but their pasta is also really good; I just almost never get it cause the pizza is so outstanding).

Oh yes, they're in Philly too. They had a rather tasty lemon chicken pizza, IIRC.

Wow, Laura, now I want to go to Ft. Lauderdale just to not eat there.

Lemon chicken pizza sounds great.

I once went to a Cheesecake Factory for an office lunch. It worked well for a group in which one person couldn't eat gluten, one insisted on a burger, one insisted on a salad, and so on.