Roman's — Restaurant in New York

I took my wife of four years to this restaurant, a place I usually love because the food is always delicious. Unfortunately, that is the only positive aspect I can mention. Having worked in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, I can honestly say that poor service is something I absolutely cannot stand. During my career, I always emphasized to my staff that even the best food in the world can't make up for bad service—because if the service is lacking, guest won't come back to experience that food again.

On Friday, June 6th, I arrived at 4:30 pm to drop off an anniversary gift, hoping they could bring it out with dessert for my wife. An older lady setting up outside told me rudely that they didn’t open until 5 pm. I understood and said I’d return. When I came back at 5 pm, I spoke with what appeared to be the manager or maître d’, who was pleasant. I left my gift and explained that I would like it brought out with dessert, and that they could choose the dessert.

Fast forward to 9:30 pm, and we are seated at our table. Our first server was a lady I remembered from my previous visit, when she was a bartender. We ordered drinks—a glass of wine for my wife and a beer for me. The wine arrived quickly, but my beer took five more minutes. We also ordered olives as an appetizer, which, I am not exaggerating, took a full 30 minutes to arrive. For those unfamiliar with proper timing, appetizers should typically be served within 5-7 minutes, and mains within 10-12 minutes.

We then asked the server when our mains would arrive. She explained that the chicken and fish dishes we ordered take longer to prepare. At this point, we had been there for 52 minutes, and still, no mains. I ordered another round of drinks. While my wife’s wine was brought out promptly, I had to wait another five minutes for mine, despite seeing it sitting at the bar.

I understand that no restaurant can be perfect every time, but it was disappointing that the staff, knowing it was our anniversary, chose to provide such poor service. As someone who has owned restaurants and managed some of the biggest establishments in NYC, I always made sure our guests knew they were appreciated—whether it was with a glass of champagne, a small gesture, or acknowledgment.

It’s not about expecting freebies but about setting your establishment apart. Unfortunately, after mentioning our special day to the server, she did not improve her service. At the end of our meal, she brought out my wife’s gift, but no dessert was offered.

Honestly, I don’t see myself returning, and I doubt the owners or managers even care about the experience we had. It’s a shame because this place has was one of my favorites but the poor service marred the...

Roman’s offers Italian fare tucked in the quaint neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn.

Since the weather in late October is unseasonably pleasant our group of four chose to be seated outdoors.

The menu is one page and without much explanation but the staff is within reach for questions, recommendations and anything else.

We started with a bottle of Sauvignon blanc together with an antipasto plate of olives, Parmigiano, mortadella, spicy coppa, and prosciutto served with homemade bread. The plate portion was good and sufficient for our group.

The menu changes every weekend for lunch and there are only 4 main entrees to choose from. Our group decided to order all of the main entrees to share: Chittara with tomato Summer squash frittata with cherry tomatoes and arugula Chickpea, cabbage, and koginut squash stew with a fried egg Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, anchovy, and breadcrumbs Everyone from our group seemed to have enjoyed their dish but I particularly loved the chitarra tomatoes, it was freshly made and delicious. If anything, my partner thought lack of meat option for main entrees is an issue.

The staff is friendly and helpful, they know the dishes and their wines. They offered lovely suggestions for us. We truly enjoyed our Sunday lunch here and will come back to try their...

1st: Everything was great! The experience demonstrates that they are doing things well because they care! Food was delicious! Drinks were great! Staff was gracious!

2nd: We dined at Roman's, and it was an experience worth sharing. The ambiance of the restaurant is both cozy and elegant, with its beautifully lit chandeliers and warm, inviting decor.

From the menu, I had the fava bean puree and linguine, which were both absolutely delicious. The fava bean puree had a wonderful texture and flavor, while the linguine with baccala, onions, and capers was perfectly cooked and incredibly tasty. Additionally, we tried the striped bass, which was a delightful dish, cooked to perfection with a great balance of flavors.

What truly made the experience memorable was the staff. They were gracious, generous, and friendly, going out of their way to make us feel welcome. Their attentiveness was especially appreciated as we had our toddler with us, and they were wonderfully accommodating and kind.

Overall, Roman's offers not only excellent food but also an atmosphere of genuine hospitality. It's a place where you can enjoy a fantastic meal while feeling...