Roma Ristorante

The temperatures are dropping and that familiar crisp of fall hangs in the air. The leaves are beginning to change and a new season is upon us.  Along with the change of seasons comes a change in the foods I crave.  Somehow I don't think I'm alone in that.  I like to call it "putting on a winter coat".  I ate my fill of summer fare--fish, fish and more fish.  Fall is the harvest season.  Foods get hardier and menus are more robust.  You can always have a salad but what I craved on this one particular day was meat.  I needed prime rib and I knew just where to get it.  Roma Ristorante!!



This place has been around for years but what can I say?  I'm slow out of the gate and I only just fell upon it about a year ago.  I've been there 3 or 4 times now and the flavors, quality and exceptional service have remained consistent.  If you're the type of person that finds comfort in food and portion sizes alike, this place measures up on both fronts.  Getting a bang for your buck doesn't seem to adequately describe it.  The portions are huge.  My teenage sons can easily make 2-3 meals out of one dinner, and they have!

On this particular occasion I was there for the prime rib.  I ordered the queen cut and didn't come close to finishing it.  It came with a salad and my choice of starch.   I chose a baked potato.  The salad was so good I actually crave it as I write this.  It's not the fancy schmancy field greens or the wilted-by-design spring mix that you get at most places these days.  They use iceberg, and they should use iceberg.  It was fresh,  it was cold and it was crunchy and I want some right now!  Call me old school but there is nothing better than a nice piece of prime rib, seasoned to perfection,  with a salad and baked with butter and sour on the side.  Am I wrong?  Put the Pats game on the plentiful TV's they have in the bar and you've got yourself a perfect Sunday!

Chicken Frangelico

The prime rib definitely hit the spot but that doesn't scratch the surface of the abundant menu offerings.  I've tried the veal parm, chicken parm, ribeye steak, and chicken frangelico (my personal favorite) to name a few.  Portions? Huge.  Flavors? Out-stand-ing!  Prices?  You can't beat 'em.

I would be remiss if I didn't clue you in on the one thing that drew me into this place.  It's family owned and operated.  There's a Mama in that kitchen and boy can she cook!

No menu is complete without dessert.  They've got plenty--tiramisu, cheesecake, this sweet and that,  but my personal favorite is the grapenut custard pudding.  I always make sure I leave room for dessert!!  Mama makes it from scratch and its a must have!


Roma gets a solid nod from this reviewer and I plan to revisit this gem of a restaurant time and time again.  In the warmer weather I might try dining on their patio deck or visit for an evening out--I hear they have karaoke.  I did sample a cocktail or two and perhaps I should sample a few more? It's a great date night! Join me?


 Ciao!!


xx
--Michelle

Roma Ristorante 
29 Middlesex Street
Haverhill, MA  01835
978-374-8001
www.theromarestaurant.com

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Beetlebung

During my annual vacation on the Vineyard I happened upon this interesting restaurant in Oak Bluffs, Beetlebung.  It had an appealing store front and an even cooler vibe once you entered the front door.  While my companion and I were there for breakfast, my immediate thought was "this place must be hopping at night."  Blue and white lights all in the right places against a back drop of gray metallic paint.  It actually reminded me a bit of the niche bars in downtown Providence, Rhode Island where the hip mixologists flock to show off their skills.  

The place was busy but we still had our choice of seats at a table or at the bar.  I couldn't resist the bar with all those pretty lights so seats at the bar it was.  I opted for a Mimosa and my companion, John, chose a Bloody Mary.  They were delicious and a perfect way to start our adventure for today.  We sipped and studied what proved to be a pretty brief menu......

My love chose eggs benedict of some description and I chose standard fair of eggs and sausage with potatoes.  As our food arrived, disappointment set in.  I like breakfast and if there is one thing I despise is when the chef alters my sausage.  This was not your typical sausage, this was a homemade sausage patty and it was not what I was looking for or what I was expecting.  I've made sausage in my kitchen and the flavor profile is quite savory and can overpower the delicate flavor of an egg.  My pick would be to serve this type of sausage as a lunch entree with a side salad, not for breakfast.  C'est la vie, live and learn.  Perhaps it's more of a night spot to enjoy as I had NO complaints about the spirit starter!  Yum!

This consumer gives Beetlebung:

A+ for decor and vibe

A+ for perfectly poured cocktails

B- for the funky sausage

Food is a personal experience.  This was mine, take what you need and leave the rest and by all means go and have your own experience!!

XO
Michelle