Romeo Cucina — Restaurant in Laguna Beach

PLEASE READ!!!

Never in my life did I think I would write a review, but I would feel terrible if I did not let people know the risk they are taking when dining here.

I dined here for my first and most definitely my last time 06/13/2024. With a party of 6, 5 of which suffer from celiac disease, I do not. Our server did a great job ensuring everyone felt comfortable, providing gluten free bread and glutinous bread. Making clear distinction between the two. He also took extra time when we were ordering to make sure everyone was on the same page. This yelp review is not about him.

Our issue arose several bites into our main course. The pastas had been swapped on two plates, mine and my girlfriend's. Everyone at the table examined the pastas and was sure they had been swapped. Her noodles were twice the size of everyone else's and had a much better texture. Besides after being gluten free for your whole life these distinctions become quite easy to make. We brought this to our servers attention and he grabbed the chef/owner from his seat at the bar. The owner came over and was immediately defensive saying there is no way he screwed it up. When we asked him to identify all the gluten free plates at the table he failed to do so, only pointing at 4. From the start his voice was raised and only continued to get louder as we expressed our concern. He asked me if I liked my pasta, a random question to ask at this time, to which I replied, "it is not my health that is at risk if I eat the wrong thing". After asking if we could have the plate remade so she would feel comfortable eating the dish he refused and called us crazy then walked back to his seat at the bar. There he gave us dirty looks and talked poorly about us to the guests at the bar for the remainder of our experience. Concluding our interaction with him everyone stopped eating as we were not confident in how the dishes were prepared.

After paying the bill, I spoke again with the chef expecting an apology for his behavior and the way he spoke to us. He instead stated, "I am the best Italian chef in America everyone comes here for my food", which wasn't convincing being that we were 1 of 3 tables in the place at 7pm. He then asked where I am from, South Orange County, he replied with, "You would not know real Italian food if it was sitting right in front of you". I told him that I felt the way he handled the situation was far from hospitable, ironic when your in hospitality. He again told me how we crazy and that we are the problem.

So anyways, if you have any sort of allergy, dietary restriction, or simply expect your food to be made correctly then I would avoid this place at all costs. There are a number of other Italian places in Laguna Beach and neighboring cities. Try Rumari or Oliver's...

A Slice of Southern Italy in the Heart of Romeo Cucina Delights Diners

Nestled in the bustling streets of Calabria is a true gem for those seeking an authentic taste of Southern Italy. From the moment you step inside, the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces whisks you away to the sun-drenched shores of Calabria.

The ambiance at Romeo Cucina is both cozy and inviting, with rustic wooden tables adorned with tablecloths, evoking the charm of a traditional Italian trattoria. The soft glow of candlelight and the vibrant murals depicting scenes of the ocean create a warm and intimate atmosphere that is perfect for any occasion.

But it's the food that truly steals the show at Romeo Cucina. Each dish is a testament to the rich culinary heritage of Southern Italy, prepared with love and care using the freshest ingredients available. The menu boasts a tantalizing array of classics, from hearty pasta dishes to mouthwatering seafood specialties.

Start your meal with the Antipasto Tagliere Sfizioso, a generous platter of imported cheeses, cured meats, and marinated vegetables that perfectly whets the appetite. For the main course, you can't go wrong with the Pappardelle Boscaiola, creamy and indulgent with just the right amount of guanciale and porcini drizzled with truffle oil.

Seafood lovers will rejoice at the selection of fresh catches on offer, from the delicate Spaghetti Costa Degli Dei bursting with fresh clams sauté with wine & garlic Olive oil. Each dish is a celebration of the bounty of the Mediterranean, expertly prepared and presented with flair.

Of course, no Italian meal is complete without a sweet ending, and Romeo Cucina certainly delivers in this department. Indulge your sweet tooth with the Tiramisu, light and airy with just the right balance of coffee and mascarpone, or opt for the classic Cannoli filled with creamy ricotta and studded with pistachio & Italian chocolate chips.

But perhaps the greatest delight of all is the hospitality of the staff at Romeo Cucina. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted like family, with warm smiles and genuine enthusiasm. The servers are knowledgeable and attentive, always ready to offer recommendations or accommodate special requests.

In conclusion, Romeo Cucina is a true culinary treasure, offering a taste of Southern Italy that is sure to delight even the most discerning palate. Whether you're craving a comforting plate of pasta or a decadent seafood feast, Romeo Cucina delivers an unforgettable dining experience that will transport you straight to the heart of Italy....

we went for salsa dancing night on Saturday night after work late at night (was not in the plans, last minute decision) but we did not know they close the kitchen at 10. we were just looking for something to eat and have a good time dancing as well, not looking for drinking either since we had to work early the next day, so we were a little disappointed when the server told us kitchen was closed ☹ so we asked for dessert since we thought it might be in the fridge pre made or something, but no dessert either, si were asked for coffee... no coffee either (lol) at that point we just decided to dance a couple songs and go eat somewhere else, but the server was really nice and even tho he could not help us with serving us food he did offer us to serve us dessert and coffee, I was more than happy since they have in the menu my favorite of all desserts: creme Brulee! yummmm! and he even made coffee for us. I find that very nice of them. he was checking on us very often to see if we're were doing fine and brought us water also. the only thing is when we paid for our bill (we paid in cash) they did not bring our change back, we assumed it was for the tip, but I still don't think that's right because ir is up to us to decide how much and when and even if whether or not we leave the tip. obviously, with them being so nice and polite they definitely deserve a good tip, but still I don't think it's right they just take it and don't bring the change back. after that, we obviously did not leave any extra tip back... but other than that it was fun. the dancing area is a little too small but I believe it's because it becoming popular and many salsa community people is now going there for Saturday salsa nights. I don't think I'm going soon but at least I tried it. it was ok. nice music and ambience, clean bathrooms, no cover, not crazy crowded so you can try your dance moves, nice floor surface for dancing, friendly crew, no strict dress code which I was a little concerned my self since I was wearing my "Hurley Davidson" shirt, faded jeans and boots! (omg lol) any how, I recommend this place, to give it a try, if you're in to dancing salsa💃, like me, you might find it good to go...