The dining destination that has long epitomized the "nice chain restaurant" -- Red Lobster -- has a new owner. Darden Restaurants, which counts Olive Garden, Seasons 52 and Longhorn Steakhouse among its properties, has sold the chain to an investment firm for slightly north of $2 billion. You can read the full story here. Red Lobster has struggled to attract spendy customers in recent years and has pursued an unsuccessful strategy of chasing more cost-conscious diners with cheap-but-replete combo platters and bargain deals. When I visited Red Lobster last year , it seemed to me that the only way to do this place right was to order a steamed lobster and a Caesar salad. Oh, and eat a kazillion cheddar-bay biscuits. It will be interesting to see if the new owners, Golden Gate Capital, will keep the brand or dismantle it. Do you know anyone who still goes to Red Lobster? - by John Kessler for Atlanta Restaurant Scene
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