Exhibit 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes  and appoints Joe R. Lee,  Linda J.  Dimopoulos and Paula J. Shives,
and each of them, his or her true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact and agents, with
full power of substitution and resubstitution, for and in his or her name, place
and  stead,  in any  and  all  capacities,  to  sign  one or  more  Registration
Statement(s) on Form S-8 of Darden  Restaurants,  Inc. and any or all amendments
(including post-effective amendments),  relating to the Darden Savings Plan, and
to file the same, with all exhibits  thereto,  and other documents in connection
therewith,  with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  granting  unto said
attorneys-in-fact  and agents,  and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in
and about the  premises,  as fully to all intents and purposes as might or could
be  done  in   person,   hereby   ratifying   and   confirming   all  that  said
attorneys-in-fact   and  agents,   or  any  of  them,  or  their  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Power of Attorney has been signed on this 24th day
of March, 2004, by the following persons.



  /s/ Leonard L. Berry                      /s/ Michael D. Rose
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  Leonard L. Berry                          Michael D. Rose



  /s/ Odie C. Donald                        /s/ Maria A. Sastre
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  Odie C. Donald                            Maria A. Sastre



  /s/David H. Hughes                        /s/ Jack A. Smith
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  David H. Hughes                            Jack A. Smith



  /s/ Joe R. Lee                            /s/ Blaine Sweatt, III
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  Joe R. Lee                                Blaine Sweatt, III



  /s/ Cornelius McGillicuddy, III           /s/ Rita P. Wilson
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  Cornelius McGillicuddy, III               Rita P. Wilson