<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000940944-05-000206
<TYPE>11-K
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>2
<PERIOD>20050430
<FILING-DATE>20051024
<DATE-OF-FILING-DATE-CHANGE>20051024
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>DARDEN RESTAURANTS INC
<CIK>0000940944
<ASSIGNED-SIC>5812
<IRS-NUMBER>593305930
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>FL
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>0529
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>11-K
<ACT>34
<FILE-NUMBER>001-13666
<FILM-NUMBER>051152200
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5900 LAKE ELLENOR DR
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32809
<PHONE>4072454000
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>5900 LAKE ELLENOR DRIVE
<CITY>ORLANDO
<STATE>FL
<ZIP>32809
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
<FORMER-COMPANY>
<FORMER-CONFORMED-NAME>GENERAL MILLS RESTAURANTS INC
<DATE-CHANGED>19950313
</FORMER-COMPANY>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>11-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form11k2005.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 11K 2005
<TEXT>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                              ---------------------

                                    FORM 11-K

                              ---------------------

                                  ANNUAL REPORT
                            PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One)

[X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
     1934. [NO FEE REQUIRED].

                    For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2005.
                                       OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
    OF  1934. [NO FEE REQUIRED].

      For the transition period from ................ to ..................

                         Commission File Number 1-13666



     A.   Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different  from
          that of the issuer named below:

                               Darden Savings Plan


     B.   Name of issuer of the  securities  held  pursuant  to the plan and the
          address of its principal executive office:

                            DARDEN RESTAURANTS, INC.
                             5900 Lake Ellenor Drive
                             Orlando, Florida 32809


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


                              REQUIRED INFORMATION

The following financial statements for the plan are being furnished herewith:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

Audited  Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information as
of April 30, 2005 and 2004,  prepared in accordance with the financial reporting
requirements of ERISA.

Audited  Statement of Changes in Net Assets  Available  for  Benefits  with Fund
Information for the years ended April 30, 2005 and 2004,  prepared in accordance
with the financial reporting requirements of ERISA.

Notes to Financial Statements.

Schedule 1 - Schedule of Assets Held at End of Year April 30, 2005.

Schedule 2 - Schedule of Reportable Transactions, Year Ended April 30, 2005.



<PAGE>










                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                 Financial Statements and Supplemental Schedules

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004

     (With Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Thereon)













<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN



                                Table of Contents



                                                                           Page

Report of Independent Registered Public
  Accounting Firm                                                            1

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits
  with Fund Information                                                      2

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for
  Benefits with Fund Information                                             6

Notes to Financial Statements                                               10

Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)              17

Schedule H, Line 4j - Schedule of Reportable Transactions                   18












<PAGE>


             Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


Benefit Plan Financial Committee
Darden Restaurants, Inc.


We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits
with fund information of the Darden Savings Plan (the Plan) as of April 30, 2005
and 2004,  and the related  statements  of changes in net assets  available  for
benefits  with fund  information  for the years  ended  April 30, 2005 and 2004.
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's management.  Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance  with the standards of the Public  Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a
test basis,  evidence  supporting  the amounts and  disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant  estimates  made by  management,  as well as evaluating  the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of
April 30, 2005 and 2004,  and the changes in net assets  available  for benefits
for the years then ended,  in conformity with  accounting  principles  generally
accepted in the United States of America.

Our audits  were  performed  for the  purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental  schedules - Schedule H,
line 4i - Schedule  of Assets  (Held at End of Year) and  Schedule  H, line 4j -
Schedule of Reportable  Transactions are presented for the purpose of additional
analysis and are not a required part of the basic  financial  statements but are
supplementary  information  required  by the  Department  of  Labor's  Rules and
Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure  under the Employee  Retirement  Income
Security  Act of 1974.  These  schedules  are the  responsibility  of the Plan's
management.  The fund  information in the statements of net assets available for
benefits and the  statements of changes in net assets  available for benefits is
presented  for purposes of  additional  analysis  rather than to present the net
assets  available for plan benefits and changes in net assets available for plan
benefits of each fund. The supplemental schedules and fund information have been
subjected  to the  auditing  procedures  applied  in  the  audits  of the  basic
financial  statements  and, in our  opinion,  are fairly  stated in all material
respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.






September 9, 2005


<PAGE>


                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

      Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2005

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Participant directed
                                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      American                     American
                                                      Express         Pimco        Express        T. Rowe         Euro
                                                    Trust Stable      Total      Trust Equity      Price         Pacific
                                                      Capital         Return        Index        Small Cap       Growth
                                                      Fund II          Fund         Fund I          Fund          Fund
                                                 ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------

                          Assets

<S>                                               <C>               <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Investments, at fair value:
   Short-term investments, at cost
     which approximates fair value                 $           --            --             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II       49,907,861            --             --           --             --
   Pimco Total Return Fund                                     --    10,365,279             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I                  --            --     46,043,261           --             --
   T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                          --            --             --   27,834,786             --
   EuroPacific Growth Fund                                     --            --             --           --     19,650,304
   MSIF Trust U.S. Mid Cap Value Portfolio                     --            --             --           --             --
   Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund                            --            --             --           --             --
   Davis New York Venture Fund                                 --            --             --           --             --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. -
       allocated                                               --            --             --           --             --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. -
       unallocated                                             --            --             --           --             --
   Participant loans                                           --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------
       Total investments                               49,907,861    10,365,279     46,043,261   27,834,786     19,650,304
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------

Receivables:
   Participant contributions                               75,604        24,638         84,761       43,536         36,418
   Employer contribution                                       --            --             --           --             --
   Accrued dividend and interest                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------
       Total receivables                                   75,604        24,638         84,761       43,536         36,418
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------
       Total assets                                    49,983,465    10,389,917     46,128,022   27,878,322     19,686,722
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------

                  Liabilities

ESOP Loan                                                      --            --             --           --             --
Interest payable                                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------
         Total liabilities                                     --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ -----------------
         Net assets available for benefits       $     49,983,465    10,389,917     46,128,022   27,878,322     19,686,722
                                                   =============== ============= ============== ============ =================
Number of participants (unaudited)                          7,063         4,159          8,273        8,183          5,679
                                                   =============== ============= ============== ============ =================

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.







                                       2

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                 Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                    directed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
   MSIF Trust         Harbor           Davis
  U.S. Mid Cap        Capital        New York        Company       Participant
     Value         Appreciation       Venture        Common          Loan            ESOP
   Portfolio           Fund            Fund        Stock Fund        Fund            Fund            Total
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------




   <S>                 <C>          <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>             <C>
              --                --            --      1,053,342              --         504,351        1,557,693
              --                --            --             --              --              --       49,907,861
              --                --            --             --              --              --       10,365,279
              --                --            --             --              --              --       46,043,261
              --                --            --             --              --              --       27,834,786
              --                --            --             --              --              --       19,650,304
       4,263,668                --            --             --              --              --        4,263,668
              --         3,085,375            --             --              --              --        3,085,375
              --                --     5,721,752             --              --              --        5,721,752

              --                --            --     21,038,138              --     127,867,522      148,905,660

              --                --            --             --              --     168,129,900      168,129,900
              --                --            --             --       9,167,801              --        9,167,801
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
       4,263,668         3,085,375     5,721,752     22,091,480       9,167,801     296,501,773      494,633,340
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------

          11,464            12,598        15,380         34,966              --              --          339,365
              --                --            --             --              --         390,037          390,037
              --                --            --             --              --         396,849          396,849
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
          11,464            12,598        15,380         34,966              --         786,886        1,126,251
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
       4,275,132         3,097,973     5,737,132     22,126,446       9,167,801     297,288,659      495,759,591
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------

              --                --            --             --              --      26,030,000       26,030,000
              --                --            --             --              --          40,302           40,302
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
              --                --            --             --              --      26,070,302       26,070,302
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
       4,275,132         3,097,973     5,737,132     22,126,446       9,167,801     271,218,357      469,689,289
================= ================= ============= ============== =============== =============== ===================
           2,626             2,584         2,823          3,766           2,130          11,022
================= ================= ============= ============== =============== ===============
</TABLE>




                                       3

<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

      Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                                 April 30, 2004

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Participant directed
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      American                     American
                                                      Express         Pimco        Express       T. Rowe         Euro
                                                    Trust Stable       Total      Trust Equity     Price       Pacific
                                                      Capital         Return         Index       Small Cap      Growth
                                                      Fund II          Fund         Fund I         Fund          Fund
                                                 ----------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------


<S>                                              <C>               <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>
Investments, at fair value:
   Short-term investments, at cost
     which approximates fair value               $             --            --             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II       47,634,949            --             --           --             --
   Pimco Total Return Fund                                     --     8,871,620             --           --             --
   American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I                  --            --     43,389,436           --             --
   T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                          --            --             --   25,044,144             --
   EuroPacific Growth Fund                                     --            --             --           --     16,170,590
   MSIF Trust U.S. Mid Cap Value Portfolio                     --            --             --           --             --
   Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund                            --            --             --           --             --
   Davis New York Venture Fund                                 --            --             --           --             --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. -
       allocated                                               --            --             --           --             --
   Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. -
       allocated                                               --            --             --           --             --
   Participant loans                                           --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------
       Total investments                               47,634,949     8,871,620     43,389,436   25,044,144     16,170,590
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------

Receivables:
   Participant contributions                               71,368        22,631         84,506       41,242         33,077
   Employer contribution                                       --            --             --           --             --
   Accrued dividend and interest                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------
       Total receivables                                   71,368        22,631         84,506       41,242         33,077
                                                   -------------- -------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------
       Total assets                                    47,706,317     8,894,251     43,473,942   25,085,386     16,203,667
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------

                      Liabilities

ESOP Loan                                                      --            --             --           --             --
Interest payable                                               --            --             --           --             --
                                                    --------------- ------------ -------------- ------------ ---------------
         Total liabilities                                     --            --             --           --             --
                                                   --------------- ------------- -------------- ------------ ---------------
         Net assets available for benefits       $     47,706,317     8,894,251     43,473,942   25,085,386     16,203,667
                                                   =============== ============= ============== ============ ===============
Number of participants (unaudited)                          7,075         3,934          8,351        8,158          5,435
                                                   =============== ============= ============== ============ ===============


</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                 Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                   directed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------
   MSIF Trust         Harbor           Davis
  U.S. Mid Cap        Capital        New York        Company       Participant
     Value         Appreciation       Venture        Common          Loan              ESOP
   Portfolio           Fund            Fund        Stock Fund        Fund              Fund            Total
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------




   <S>               <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>
              --                --            --        635,584              --         391,761        1,027,345
              --                --            --             --              --              --       47,634,949
              --                --            --             --              --              --        8,871,620
              --                --            --             --              --              --       43,389,436
              --                --            --             --              --              --       25,044,144
              --                --            --             --              --              --       16,170,590
       3,289,510                --            --             --              --              --        3,289,510
              --         2,349,006            --             --              --              --        2,349,006
              --                --     3,989,620             --              --              --        3,989,620

              --                --            --     16,940,350              --      97,667,557      114,607,907

              --                --            --             --              --     145,830,974      145,830,974
              --                --            --             --       8,515,281              --        8,515,281
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
       3,289,510         2,349,006     3,989,620     17,575,934       8,515,281     243,890,292      420,720,382
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------


           9,886             9,436        11,503         35,432              --              --          319,081
              --                --            --             --              --         419,280          419,280
              --                --            --             --              --         430,991          430,991
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
           9,886             9,436        11,503         35,432              --         850,271        1,169,352
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
       3,299,396         2,358,442     4,001,123     17,611,366       8,515,281     244,740,563      421,889,734
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------

              --                --            --             --              --      29,418,000       29,418,000
              --                --            --             --              --          18,631           18,631
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
              --                --            --             --              --      29,436,631       29,436,631
----------------- ----------------- ------------- -------------- --------------- --------------- -------------------
       3,299,396         2,358,442     4,001,123     17,611,366       8,515,281     215,303,932      392,453,103
================= ================= ============= ============== =============== =============== ===================
           2,050             2,007         2,156          3,852           2,128          11,341
================= ================= ============= ============== =============== ===============
</TABLE>





                                       5
<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                            Year ended April 30, 2005

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Participant directed
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               American           Pimco        American
                                                Express           Total         Express       T. Rowe Price
                                               Trust Stable       Return      Trust Equity     Small Cap      Euro Pacific
                                              Capital Fund II      Fund       Index Fund I     Stock Fund     Growth Fund
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
<S>                                         <C>                  <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>
Additions to net assets attributed to:
   Investment income:
      Net appreciation in fair value
        of investments                      $        1,696,774       22,980        2,637,892        503,696        2,039,266
      Dividends and interest                               545      505,331               55      1,273,883          270,209
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Net investment income                    1,697,319      528,311        2,637,947      1,777,579        2,309,475
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------

Participant loan activity during the year:
   Withdrawals                                      (1,246,101)    (384,504)      (1,331,798)      (712,234)        (675,948)
   Repayments (including interest)                     934,392      262,963        1,079,925        578,009          454,368
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total loan activity                       (311,709)    (121,541)        (251,873)      (134,225)        (221,580)
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------

    Contributions:
      Participants                                   4,251,381    1,397,376        4,916,202      2,567,374        2,069,941
      Employer                                              --           --               --             --               --
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total contributions                      4,251,381    1,397,376        4,916,202      2,567,374        2,069,941
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total additions, net                     5,636,991    1,804,146        7,302,276      4,210,728        4,157,836
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
   Benefits paid to participants                    (6,264,715)    (987,440)      (3,753,010)    (2,168,093)      (1,377,553)
   Interest expense                                         --           --               --             --               --
   Administrative expenses                            (329,410)      (2,152)          (9,489)        (4,510)          (2,795)
   Transfers between funds                           3,234,282      681,112         (885,697)       754,811          705,567
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total deductions, net                   (3,359,843)    (308,480)      (4,648,196)    (1,417,792)        (674,781)
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
Net assets available for benefits:
   Beginning of year                                47,706,317    8,894,251       43,473,942     25,085,386       16,203,667
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
   End of year                              $       49,983,465   10,389,917       46,128,022     27,878,322       19,686,722
                                             ================== ============ ================ ============== =================


</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.



                                       6
<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                 Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                 directed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
  MSIF Trust         Harbor          Davis New
 U.S. Mid Cap       Capital             York        Company       Participant
     Value         Appreciation       Venture        Common           Loan            ESOP
   Portfolio           Fund             Fund       Stock Fund         Fund            Fund              Total
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ------------------------------------



    <S>                  <C>          <C>         <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>
        355,539              65,091      309,032       5,515,791             --        74,749,300        87,895,361
          4,336              10,899       37,517          59,412             --           830,363         2,992,604
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        359,875              75,990      346,603       5,575,203             --        75,579,663        90,887,965
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

       (117,487)           (107,680)    (135,307)       (844,469)     5,555,528                --                --
         90,316              73,273      117,898         690,164     (3,824,746)               --           456,562
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        (27,171)            (34,407)     (17,409)       (154,305)     1,730,782                --           456,562
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

        627,785             710,832      844,215       2,087,455             --                --        19,472,561
             --                  --           --              --             --         3,191,487         3,191,487
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        627,785             710,832      844,215       2,087,455             --         3,191,487        22,664,048
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        960,489             752,415    1,173,409       7,508,353      1,730,782        78,771,150       114,008,575
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

       (264,952)           (292,488)    (344,025)     (2,166,459)    (1,078,262)      (16,998,150)      (35,695,147)
             --                  --           --              --             --          (644,207)         (644,207)
           (380)               (272)        (563)         (3,927)            --           (79,537)         (433,035)
        280,579             279,876      907,188        (822,887)            --        (5,134,831)               --
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
         15,247             (12,884)     562,600      (2,993,273)    (1,078,262)      (22,856,725)      (36,772,389)
------------------------------------ ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

      3,299,396           2,358,442    4,001,123      17,611,366      8,515,281       215,303,932       392,453,103
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
      4,275,132           3,097,973    5,737,132      22,126,446      9,167,801       271,218,357       469,689,289
================ =================== ============ =============== ============== ================= ==================
</TABLE>





                                       7

<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

 Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits with Fund Information

                            Year ended April 30, 2004

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Participant directed
                                             ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               American           Pimco       American
                                                Express           Total        Express      T. Rowe Price
                                               Trust Stable       Return      Trust Equity     Small Cap      Euro Pacific
                                              Capital Fund II      Fund       Index Fund I     Stock Fund     Growth Fund
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
<S>                                        <C>                 <C>            <C>               <C>              <C>
Additions to net assets attributed to:
   Investment income:
      Net appreciation (depreciation) in
         fair value of investments         $         1,909,145     (199,615)       7,643,873      5,270,918        3,780,273
      Dividends and interest                               307      400,489              221        385,508          148,258
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Net investment income                    1,909,452      200,874        7,644,094      5,656,426        3,928,531
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------

Participant loan activity during the year:
   Withdrawals                                      (1,168,050)    (401,869)      (1,216,554)      (697,702)        (539,508)
   Repayments (including interest)                     935,673      267,609        1,099,770        564,327          400,493
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total loan activity                       (232,377)    (134,260)        (116,784)      (133,375)        (139,015)
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------

    Contributions:
      Participants                                   4,059,839    1,341,702        4,668,096      2,164,146        1,727,993
      Employer                                              --           --               --             --               --
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total contributions                      4,059,839    1,341,702        4,668,096      2,164,146        1,727,993
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total additions, net                     5,736,914    1,408,316       12,195,406      7,687,197        5,517,509
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
Deductions from net assets attributed to:
   Benefits paid to participants                    (4,563,814)    (740,334)      (3,159,545)    (1,702,228)      (1,010,719)
   Interest expense                                         --           --               --             --               --
   Administrative expenses                             (17,465)      (2,304)         (13,483)        (6,605)          (4,004)
   Transfers between funds                             366,619   (1,047,215)       1,372,062      1,518,676        1,873,391
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
            Total deductions, net                   (4,214,660)  (1,789,853)      (1,800,966)      (190,157)         858,668
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
Net assets available for benefits:
   Beginning of year                                46,184,063    9,275,788       33,079,502     17,588,346        9,827,490
                                             ------------------ ------------ ---------------- -------------- -----------------
   End of year                             $        47,706,317    8,894,251       43,473,942     25,085,386       16,203,667
                                             ================== ============ ================ ============== =================

</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to financial statements.



                                       8
<PAGE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 Non-participant
                             Participant directed                                 directed
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
  MSIF Trust         Harbor          Davis New
 U.S. Mid Cap        Capital            York        Company        Participant
     Value         Appreciation       Venture        Common           Loan            ESOP
   Portfolio           Fund             Fund       Stock Fund         Fund            Fund              Total
---------------- ------------------- ---------------------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------



     <S>            <C>              <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>
        530,335             213,241      517,921       4,073,405             --        60,408,089        84,147,585
            375               3,597       17,875          64,820             --           893,746         1,915,196
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        530,710             216,838      553,796       4,138,225             --        61,301,835        86,062,781
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

       (126,434)            (99,244)    (141,760)       (720,467)     5,111,588                --                --
         47,546              60,036       76,911         643,516     (3,619,880)               --           476,001
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        (78,888)            (39,208)     (64,849)        (76,951)     1,491,708                --           476,001
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

        415,384             447,657      531,060       2,078,090             --                --        17,433,967
             --                  --           --              --             --         4,930,044         4,930,044
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        415,384             447,657      531,060       2,078,090             --         4,930,044        22,364,011
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
        867,206             625,287    1,002,007       6,139,364      1,491,708        66,231,879       108,902,793
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

       (202,391)           (170,585)    (173,630)     (1,764,163)      (904,013)      (23,427,375)      (37,818,797)
             --                  --           --              --             --          (477,231)         (477,231)
           (310)               (390)        (396)         (6,203)            --          (315,809)         (366,969)
      1,596,469           1,037,120    1,915,637      (1,945,723)            --        (6,687,036)                --
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
      1,393,768             866,145    1,741,611      (3,716,089)      (904,013)      (30,907,451)      (38,662,997)
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------

      1,038,422             867,010    1,257,505      15,188,091      7,927,586       179,979,504       322,213,307
---------------- ------------------- ------------ --------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------------
      3,299,396           2,358,442    4,001,123      17,611,366      8,515,281       215,303,932       392,453,103
================ =================== ============ =============== ============== ================= ==================
</TABLE>


                                       9


<PAGE>


                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004


(1)  Description of the Plan

     The following  description  of the Darden  Savings Plan (the Plan) provides
     only general  information.  Participants  should refer to the Plan document
     for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions.

     The Plan, as amended,  was  originally  established  in June 1973. The Plan
     covers  certain  employees  of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc.'s  operating  and
     administrative   subsidiaries,   and   their   divisions   and   affiliates
     (collectively,  the Company) who are 21 or over, regardless of their length
     of service.  The Plan also allows  allocation of Company shares in the ESOP
     Fund (an employee  stock  ownership  plan which is a component of the Plan)
     for payment of incentive  bonuses earned by certain  restaurant  management
     and Restaurant Support Center administrative employees that have five years
     of service with the Company.  Effective March 2004, the Plan was amended to
     temporarily  suspend the  allocation of Company shares in the ESOP Fund for
     incentive bonuses earned by restaurant  management  through August 2004 and
     then restrict the allocation of Company shares in the ESOP Fund for payment
     of  incentive  bonuses to  individuals  who were  classified  as  qualified
     managers under the Plan as of May 31, 2003.  This amendment also disallowed
     the  allocation of Company shares in the ESOP Fund for payment of incentive
     bonuses  earned  by  certain  Restaurant   Support  Center   administrative
     employees effective March 2004.

     Effective June 2002, the Plan allowed  participants to immediately transfer
     ESOP funds credited to their accounts to any of the Plan's other investment
     funds.  The Plan  was  amended  to  change  the  maximum  Company  variable
     contribution from 100% to 120% effective July 2002. Effective January 2004,
     the plan was amended to allow  employees  other than qualified  managers to
     contribute up to 25% of their eligible  compensation  each year.  Effective
     April 29, 2004, the deferral  limit for qualified  managers was also raised
     to 25% of eligible pay.

     Eligible  employees  may elect to make  primary  contributions  to the Plan
     ranging from 1% to 6% of their  eligible  compensation  for each year on an
     after-tax or before-tax basis.  Participants  electing to contribute 6% may
     also elect to make unmatched  contributions  equal to between 1% and 19% of
     their  eligible  compensation  for the year.  The Company  makes  quarterly
     variable  contributions to the Plan ranging from 25% to 120% of the primary
     contribution percentages made by the participants. The Company contribution
     varies  depending  on  the  Company's  operating  results.   Plan  matching
     provisions  become effective for participants  upon completion of 12 months
     of service and  accumulation  of 1,000  hours of service in an  anniversary
     year.  Income  earned by the Plan is  allocated to  participants'  accounts
     based on their relative account balances.

     Participants may borrow from their vested account as follows:  a minimum of
     $1,000 up to a maximum  equal to the lesser of  $50,000,  minus the highest
     outstanding  loan balance in the  preceding 12 months;  50% of their vested
     account  balance;  an amount which would result in loan  repayments  not to
     exceed 50% of the  participant's  13 week average net take-home pay; or the
     vested balance in the  participant's  account excluding amounts in the ESOP
     Fund.  Loan  transactions  are  accounted  for as a transfer  to (from) the
     investment fund from (to) the  Participant  Loan Fund. Loan repayment terms
     generally  may not exceed 5 years.  The loans are secured by the balance in
     the participant's account and bear market rates of interest.  Principal and
     interest is paid through  payroll  deductions  and may be repaid in full at
     any time without penalty.

     On termination of service due to death, disability,  retirement,  induction
     into the Armed Forces of, or service with, the United States Government, or
     involuntary   separation  or   elimination  of  position  due  to  a  sale,
     destruction,  shut-down,  or closing  out of an  activity  or  facility,  a
     participant  shall be entitled to a

                                       10                            (Continued)
<PAGE>

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004

     distribution of the total value of his or her account.  If that participant
     had a  vested  account  balance  as of June 1,  1990,  he or she may  elect
     monthly  installments  not to exceed  120  months.  All  other  terminating
     participants,  including those who terminate  service due to other reasons,
     will receive a lump sum  distribution  of their vested  account  balance if
     such  balance is $5,000 or less.  Terminating  participants  having  vested
     account   balances  greater  than  $5,000  may  elect  either  a  lump  sum
     distribution or to leave their accounts in the Plan until attainment of age
     65.  Effective  March 2005, the Plan was amended to lower the threshold for
     automatic distributions from $5,000 to $1,000.  Effective October 2003, the
     Plan was  amended  to allow the Plan to charge  annual  fees to  terminated
     participants  who leave  their  accounts  in the  Plan.  All  benefits  are
     recorded when paid.

     Trustee  and  administrative  duties  of the Plan are  being  performed  by
     American Express Trust Company (the Trustee).

     Each participant is entitled to exercise voting rights  attributable to the
     shares allocated to his or her account and is notified by the Trustee prior
     to the time that such rights are to be exercised. The Trustee will vote any
     allocated share for which instructions have not been given by a participant
     in the same proportion  that it votes allocated  shares that it did receive
     instructions for. The Trustee is required to vote any unallocated shares on
     behalf  of  the  collective   best  interest  of  plan   participants   and
     beneficiaries.

(2)  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

     (a)  Basis of Presentation

          The financial  statements  of the Plan are prepared  under the accrual
          method of accounting.

          The Plan accounts for certain changes in net assets as follows:

          o    Dividends  and  interest,  net realized and  unrealized  gains or
               losses and administrative  expenses of the American Express Trust
               Stable Capital Fund II, Pimco Total Return Fund, American Express
               Trust  Equity  Index Fund I, T. Rowe Price  Small Cap Stock Fund,
               EuroPacific Growth Fund, MSIF Trust U.S. Mid Cap Value Portfolio,
               Harbor Capital  Appreciation Fund, and the Davis New York Venture
               Fund are recognized by the Plan only as they are reflected in the
               Plan's  proportionate  share of net increases  (decreases) in the
               fair value of the respective funds; and

          o    Net realized  gains or losses are recognized by the Plan upon the
               sale of investment  securities  on the basis of weighted  average
               cost.

     (b)  Investments

          Plan investments are recorded at fair value.  Fair value is determined
          by quoted market prices.  Short-term  investments  are stated at cost,
          which  approximates  fair  value.  Participant  loans  are  valued  at
          amortized cost which approximates fair value.

          Purchases and sales of securities  are recorded on a trade date basis.
          Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend  date.  Interest income
          is recorded on the accrual basis.

                                       11                            (Continued)

<PAGE>

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004

          The Plan's investments  include funds which invest in various types of
          investment securities and in various companies within various markets.
          Investment  securities are exposed to several risks,  such as interest
          rate,  market and credit  risks.  Due to the level of risk  associated
          with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible
          that changes in the values of investment  securities will occur in the
          near term and that such changes  could  materially  affect the amounts
          reported in the Plan's financial statements and schedules.

          As of April 30, 2005,  64% of the Plan  investments  are in the common
          stock of Darden Restaurants,  Inc., the sponsor. Accordingly,  changes
          in the value of the Company's common stock could have a greater effect
          on the Plan's financial statements than other Plan investments.

     (c)  Use of Estimates

          The preparation of financial  statements in conformity with accounting
          principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
          management to make estimates and assumptions  that affect the reported
          amounts  of net  assets  available  for  benefits  at the  date of the
          financial  statements  and the  reported  amounts of  additions to and
          deductions from those net assets during the reporting  period.  Actual
          results could differ from those estimates.

     (d)  Reclassifications

          Certain  reclassifications  have been made to prior  year  amounts  to
          conform to current year presentation.

(3)  Forfeitures and Vesting

     Vested rights to Company  contribution  amounts  accrue at a rate of 5% per
     quarter  beginning  with  the  participant's   fifth  quarter  of  service.
     Forfeitures of nonvested  Company  contributions to the Plan can be used in
     the following order of priority:  cover administrative expenses incurred by
     the Plan,  reinstate  previously forfeited amounts to rehired employees and
     cover Company matching contributions.  During the 2005 and 2004 Plan years,
     $310,598 and  $258,437,  respectively,  of  forfeitures  were used to cover
     administrative  expenses of the Plan. No forfeited funds were used to cover
     Company contributions.

(4)  Choice of Investments

     Participant  contributions  to the  Plan  may be  directed  to  nine  basic
     investment  alternatives:  American  Express Trust Stable  Capital Fund II,
     Pimco Total Return  Fund,  American  Express  Trust Equity Index Fund I, T.
     Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund,  EuroPacific  Growth Fund, MSIF Trust U.S.
     Mid Cap Value Portfolio,  Harbor Capital  Appreciation Fund, Davis New York
     Venture Fund, and Company Common Stock Fund.  Company  contributions to the
     Plan are invested in the ESOP Fund.


                                       12                            (Continued)
<PAGE>

                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004

(5)  Investments

     The following  table presents the fair value of investments  that represent
     5% or more of the Plan's net assets at April 30, 2005 and 2004:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        2005            2004
                                                                  --------------   --------------
  <S>                                                            <C>               <C>
   Investments at fair value:
     American Express Trust Stable Capital Fund II,
        2,735,127 and 2,703,766 shares at April 30, 2005
        and 2004, respectively                                    $  49,907,861       47,634,949

     American Express Trust Equity Index Fund I,
        1,286,772 and 1,286,757 shares at April 30, 2005
        and 2004, respectively                                       46,043,216       43,389,436

     T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund, 955,865 and
        881,215 shares at April 30, 2005 and 2004,
        respectively                                                 27,834,786       25,044,144

     Common stock of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (including
        $295,997,422 and $243,498,531 of non-participant
        directed funds at April 30, 2005 and 2004,
        respectively), 10,567,852 and 11,493,331 shares
        at April 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively                    317,035,560      260,438,881

</TABLE>


     Total  dividends  received  by the Plan  from the  common  stock of  Darden
     Restaurants, Inc. for the years ended April 30, 2005 and 2004 were $404,712
     and $421,692, respectively.

(6)  Company Common Stock Fund

     Amounts in the Company  Common  Stock Fund are invested in the common stock
     of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. At April 30, 2005 and 2004, the fair value of
     the shares held in participant  directed accounts was $21,038,138  (701,271
     shares) and $16,940,350 (747,588 shares), respectively. Participants should
     refer to the consolidated financial statements of Darden Restaurants,  Inc.
     included  in the  Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  filed  with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission.

(7)  ESOP Fund

     The ESOP Fund  consists  of common  stock of the  Company and cash which is
     held in short-term investments.  All amounts credited to participants' ESOP
     accounts will be invested in the ESOP Fund.  Effective  June 2002, the Plan
     was  amended  to allow  participants  to  immediately  transfer  ESOP funds
     credited to their  accounts to any of the Plan's  other  investment  funds.
     However,  amounts may not be transferred  from any of the other  investment
     funds into the ESOP Fund.

     At April  30,  2005,  the ESOP Fund  consists  of  9,866,581  shares of the
     Company's  common  stock.  Of the  total  shares  held  by the  ESOP  Fund,
     4,262,251  shares of Company common stock have been allocated to individual
     participant  accounts.  The remaining  5,604,330  shares of Company  common
     stock,  which are held by the  Trustee,  are  reserved  for future  Company
     matching  contributions  and  incentive  bonuses  to  individuals  who were
     classified  as qualified  managers  under the Plan as of May 31, 2003.  The
     shares become  available for allocation to  participants'  accounts as ESOP
     loan  principal and interest is paid. At April 30, 2005,  the fair value of
     the 5,604,330  unallocated  Company  shares was  $168,129,900  and the fair


                                       13                            (Continued)
<PAGE>
                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004

     value of the  4,262,251  allocated  shares was  $127,867,522.  At April 30,
     2004,  the fair  value of the  6,435,612  unallocated  Company  shares  was
     $145,830,974  and the fair  value of the  4,310,131  allocated  shares  was
     $97,667,557.

     The ESOP Fund has two promissory notes payable to Darden Restaurants, Inc.,
     with  outstanding  principal  balances of $9,130,000 and  $16,900,000 as of
     April 30, 2005 and  $12,518,000  and  $16,900,000 as of April 30, 2004. The
     notes bear  interest at variable  rates  payable on a monthly or bi-monthly
     basis at the discretion of the Company.  As of April 30, 2005 and 2004, the
     interest rate was 3.279% and 1.425%, respectively. No principal payments on
     the notes are required until the due dates,  December 31, 2007 and December
     15, 2014,  respectively.  Any or all of the principal may be prepaid at any
     time.  For the  years  ended  April 30,  2005 and 2004,  the ESOP Fund made
     principal payments of $3,388,000 and $5,032,000, respectively.

(8)  Related Party Transactions

     Certain plan  investments are units of  participation in common trust funds
     and shares of mutual  funds  managed by the Trustee and,  therefore,  these
     transactions  qualify as party-in-interest  transactions.  The Company pays
     the  Trustee's  administrative  and trustee  fees.  Such fees,  net of plan
     forfeitures  and fees paid by  terminated  participants  used to cover plan
     expense,  were $519,477 and $594,214 for the years ended April 30, 2005 and
     2004, respectively.

     Certain plan investments are loans to participants who are employees of the
     Company and,  therefore,  these transactions  qualify as  party-in-interest
     transactions. Terminated participants that elect to leave their accounts in
     the Plan are required to pay annual  fees.  Therefore,  these  transactions
     also  qualify  as  party-in-interest  transactions.  Annual  fees  paid  by
     participants  were  $50,750  and $37,492 for the years ended April 30, 2005
     and 2004, respectively.

(9)  Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

     The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for plan benefits
     per the accompanying financial statements to the Form 5500:

                                                      2005            2004
                                                 --------------  ---------------
     Net assets available for benefits per
        the accompanying financial statements    $ 469,689,289     392,453,103
     Due to plan participants                         (128,740)       (175,755)
     Deemed loans                                     (125,091)        (92,116)
                                                 --------------  ---------------
                                                 $ 469,435,458     392,185,232
                                                 ==============  ===============



                                       14                            (Continued)
<PAGE>

                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004

     The following is a  reconciliation  of total additions per the accompanying
     financial statements to the Form 5500:

                                                      2005            2004
                                                 --------------  ---------------
     Total additions, net, per the
       accompanying financial statements         $ 114,008,575     108,902,793
     Interest income on deemed distributed
       loans                                             2,125           2,584
                                                 --------------  ---------------
            Total additions per Form 5500        $ 114,010,700     108,905,377
                                                 ==============  ===============

The  following is a  reconciliation  of benefits  paid to  participants  per the
accompanying financial statements to the Form 5500:

                                                      2005            2004
                                                 --------------  ---------------
     Total deductions, net, per the
       accompanying financial statements         $  36,772,389      38,662,997
     Amounts allocated to withdrawing
       participants at end of year                     128,740         175,755
     Amounts allocated to withdrawing
       participants at beginning of year              (175,755)        (75,637)
     Deemed distributed loans offset by
       total distributions                             (66,738)        (10,932)
     Change in deemed loans                            101,838         105,632
                                                 --------------- ---------------
            Total deductions per Form 5500       $  36,760,474      38,857,815
                                                 =============== ===============

(10) Tax Status

     The Plan  obtained its latest  determination  letter on July 15,  2002,  in
     which the  Internal  Revenue  Service  stated  that the Plan,  as  designed
     through   November  13,  2001,  was  in  compliance   with  the  applicable
     requirements  of the Internal  Revenue Code. The Company  believes that the
     Plan  currently  is  designed  and being  operated in  compliance  with the
     applicable  requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and,  therefore,  the
     Plan qualifies under Section 401(a) and 4975(e)(7) and the related trust is
     tax exempt as of April 30, 2005.  Therefore,  no provision for income taxes
     has been included in the Plan's financial statements.

(11) Plan Termination

     Although  it has not  expressed  any intent to do so, the  Company  has the
     right under the Plan to discontinue  its  contributions  at any time and to
     terminate  the Plan subject to the  provisions  of the Employee  Retirement
     Income Security Act of 1974. In the event of Plan  termination,  no further
     contributions  shall be made to the Trust Fund by either the Company or the
     participants,  participants  would become  fully  vested in their  employer
     contributions  and the related Plan trust would be used exclusively for the
     benefit of participants and beneficiaries  after the payment of liquidation
     expenses.  Any unallocated  leveraged shares in the ESOP Fund would be sold
     to the Company or on the open  market.  The  proceeds of such sale would be
     used to satisfy any  outstanding  acquisition  loans and the balance of any
     amounts  remaining would be allocated to each  participant in proportion to
     each  participant's  ESOP account  balance to the total of all ESOP account
     balances.


                                       15                            (Continued)
<PAGE>

                              DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                          Notes to Financial Statements

                             April 30, 2005 and 2004


(12) Subsequent Events

     In May  2005,  the  ESOP  borrowed  approximately  $1,606,000  from  Darden
     Restaurants,  Inc. at a variable  interest  rate and acquired an additional
     50,000 shares of the  Company's  common stock.  The  promissory  note bears
     interest at a variable  rate  payable on a quarterly  basis.  No  principal
     payments  are due on the  note  until  December  15,  2008  and the  entire
     principal is scheduled to be repaid by December 31, 2018. Any or all of the
     principal may be prepaid at any time.

     Effective  August  2005,  the  following  six funds were added to the Plan:
     Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund, Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund,
     Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund, Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund,
     Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 Fund, and Vanguard Target Retirement Income
     Fund. In addition,  the Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund was added to replace
     the MSIF Trust U.S. Mid Cap Value Portfolio.











                                       16


<PAGE>

                                                                      Schedule 1

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

         Schedule H, line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

                                 April 30, 2005

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                Face amount
                                                 or number                             Current
                        Issuer                   of units              Cost             value
------------------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
<S>                                          <C>                <C>                <C>
Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*, **                      10,567,852        $ 51,947,214       $ 317,035,560

American Express Trust Stable Capital
   Fund II*                                     2,735,127          45,044,121          49,907,861

Pimco Total Return Fund                           968,718          10,396,336          10,365,279

American Express Trust Equity
   Index Fund I*                                1,286,772          43,557,037          46,043,261

T. Rowe Price Small Cap Stock Fund                955,865          24,044,013          27,834,786

EuroPacific Growth Fund                           561,277          16,012,875          19,650,304

MSIF Trust U.S. Mid Cap Value Portfolio           188,574           3,769,549           4,263,668

Harbor Capital Appreciation Fund                  115,255           3,059,624           3,085,375

Davis New York Venture Fund                       189,650           5,291,526           5,721,752

Participant Loans outstanding - interest
   rates ranging from 5.00% - 10.50%
   with varying maturities*                         2,130                  --           9,167,801

American Express Trust Company
   Short-term Investment Fund*                  1,557,693           1,557,693           1,557,693

</TABLE>

*Party-in-interest

**Includes unallocated shares held in the ESOP Fund as collateral for the
promissory notes payable.

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

                                       17
<PAGE>

                                                                      Schedule 2

                               DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

            Schedule H, line 4j - Schedule of Reportable Transactions

                            Year ended April 30, 2005

5%  series  of   transactions  by  security  issue  described  in  29  CFR  2520
[(103-6(c)(i)(iii)]:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Purchases                       Sales
                                      ------------------------------ -------------------------------
          Issuer/Description            Number          Amount          Number          Amount         Net gain
------------------------------------- ------------ ----------------- ------------- ----------------- --------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>                  <C>         <C>               <C>
American Express Trust Company
   Short-term Investment Fund*             308      $  24,542,264         427        $ 24,074,868     $         --

Common stock of Darden
   Restaurants, Inc.*                       92          3,931,167         115          26,969,063       21,923,903

</TABLE>

*Party-in-interest

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.






                                       18

<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBITS

     23   Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.



                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Darden  Savings  Plan has duly  caused  this  Annual  Report to be signed on its
behalf by the Benefit Plan  Financial  Committee (as the person who  administers
the financial  aspects of the Darden Savings Plan), by the undersigned  hereunto
duly authorized.


                                       DARDEN SAVINGS PLAN

                                       By:  Benefit Plan Financial Committee,
                                            as financial administrator of
                                            the Darden Savings Plan


Dated:  October 24, 2005               By:  /s/ Linda J. Dimopoulos
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Linda J. Dimopoulos, Chairperson
                                            Benefit Plan Financial Committee
                                            Darden Restaurants, Inc.










<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

   Exhibit
   Number                           Title
  --------                         -------

     23   Consent of KPMG, as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.









</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>exhibit23kpmgconsent.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EX. 23 - CONSENT OF KPMG
<TEXT>
                                                                     EXHIBIT 23





            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.:

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements on
Form S-8 (No. 33-92702 and No.  333-124363) of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. of our
report dated  September 9, 2005,  relating to the  financial  statements  of the
Darden  Savings  Plan for the year ended April 30, 2005,  which  appears in this
Form 11-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc.


                                   /s/KPMG LLP

Orlando, Florida
October  24, 2005




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