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Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants
The Board of Directors
Darden Restaurants, Inc.:
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form
S-3 of Darden Restaurants, Inc. of our report dated June 20, 2000, relating to
the consolidated balance sheets of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and subsidiaries as
of May 28, 2000 and May 30, 1999, and the related consolidated statements of
earnings, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years
in the three-year period ended May 28, 2000, which report is incorporated by
reference to page 26 of the registrant's 2000 Annual Report to Stockholders in
the May 28, 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Darden Restaurants, Inc. and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the registration
statement.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Orlando, Florida
August 21, 2000
