Roma — Restaurant in Portland

My family and I had gone out of the way for my dad’s birthday to come back here, but unfortunately that was a poor decision. The drinks were inconsistently poured in a different glass every time they were served. I am fairly certain they mixed the martini in a Dixie cup because the portions were minuscule. We were hopeful the meal would be good, but unfortunately it was foolish to be hopeful. Our meals were served by a waitress who had no class and apparently no service experience. The steak frites was the consistency of shoe leather, the pasta was oversized, and the oversized chicken parm was expectedly undercooked. When we addressed that it was undercooked, the waitress proceeded to hold the dish up and inspect the chicken, flipping it around and saying it was cooked. We thought it could t get much worse, but then she went to the kitchen and returned to tell us that it was not undercooked. She finally brought it back, where they held it hostage for at least 15 minutes to overcook it and beat it into the ground. Nothing was taken off the and the waitress made no effort to apologize. We will not be back. Stay away.

Update: Based on the response received from management, I am updating my review.

As far as the cocktail “measurement”, every cocktail came out in a different glass, similarly to what would have been done if you were hosting someone in your home and slowly running out of glasses. I would not have been surprised if we ordered another round and they showed up in solo cups. So that is simply inaccurate and insulting to assert that you are consistent in your cocktail measurement.

Regarding the chicken Parmesan, your account of what happened is entirely inaccurate, and it makes sense because management was never involved or present until a member of my family actually had to go find a manager. I was not going to go into detail, but considering you were not there I figure I will be honest to spare future customers. The waitress, who was entirely impersonal and never even introduced herself proceeded to say it was not undercooked and actually took the fork and inspected it at the table. Then to add insult to injury she came back from the kitchen shortly after and poked it with a knife. This was not only disgusting to watch, but the fact that there was any hesitation, never mind multiple denials of the guests concerns just goes to show the inadequacy of what is supposedly a fine dining restaurant.

Not to mention the check was dropped by the waitress and it was never even pointed out that the dish was comped. We expressed concerns about the other dishes but VERY little was done to address any of those concerns. The steak frites was prepared with a tough sirloin which should never be done, as it’s traditionally made with flank or hanger steak, so take that off the menu entirely if you’re not going to do it right.

I could go on, but the bottom line is management was not present until we had to speak up and although this is a “learning” experience for you, it is entirely unreasonable to defend occurrences that the management staff was not present for and it is truly insulting.

If you are looking to rectify future customers concerns, it is probably best to not start by completely invalidating the concerns to begin with and instead accept that this was a poor service and food experience, and to simply do better next time. Bottom line is just...

This place ruined our entire evening. We had such a good day until we came to Roma. We eat out all the time and mostly upscale fine dining restaurants. My wife and I have never had such a terrible experience like we did at Roma. We arrived at 730, on time for our reservation. We were seated and immediately order appetizers, bread service and wine. Our bread service came out in about 25 minutes and the bread was cold. Our waitress Michelle was almost dumbfounded when I asked why the bread wasn’t warm. “Oh, you want it warm?” She asked. Why would I ever want ice cole bread. Our wine came shortly after which we tried and enjoyed. Then another 30 minutes passed. Thats right, it took an HOUR for our Meatball appetizer. It was good, but not worth the hour wait. The appetizer was okay, but we eagerly awaited our meal. Oh, I forgot to mention their Air Conditioning was not working. When we asked if a window could be opened, it was though we were asking the meaning of life. And no, a window could not be opened. So there we sat, in the stifling heat for over an hour and a half before our entrees arrived. I should also mention the people across from us. The fine staff lost their ticket, so they promptly left, as hungry as we were. Finally our entrees arrived. The food was fine, but not worth the hour and a half we waited. Meanwhile, of course, the Chef’s girlfriend who was there, got all of their food right away. What a way to treat customers! Once our food came, our waitress Michelle, wanted to comp two desserts. We asked if we could have one dessert (which they advised we wouldn’t be able to take with us) and then she could comp the dessert and appetizer. When she brought back the bill, it showed the dessert still on there. “We’ll I comped the meatballs and the ($2) bread service.” After my wife and I both agreed that was silly, she finally agreed to comp what we had asked. Still, paying over $100 for the terrible service, slow arrival of dishes and the heat we endured inside the restaurant, seemed over the top. Safe to say we will not be back, and we will tell everyone to stay FAR AWAY from Roma Cafe. Terrible experience, terrible service and a great way to ruin, otherwise, a fantastic day in Portland. Do yourself a favor and don’t go...

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Portland, Maine, you'll find Roma, an unassuming sanctuary of culinary delight. Its exterior might blend into the cityscape, but step inside, and you're instantly whisked away to a quaint Italian village, your senses wrapped in the comforting aroma of simmering sauces, fresh herbs, and the distinctive allure of authentic Italian cuisine.

The ambience at Roma is a celebration of understated elegance. There's a warm, welcoming glow that instantly sets you at ease. It's not overly lavish, rather, it's the perfect backdrop to the grand culinary spectacle that is about to unfold.

The menu is a beautifully curated symphony of classic Italian dishes, each one painstakingly crafted to perfection. The star of this symphony is undoubtedly the pasta. Perfectly al dente, it serves as a canvas for a vibrant palette of flavors that dance upon the tongue with each bite. Whether draped in a hearty ragu that's been simmering for hours, or a zesty, fresh pesto that zings with the freshness of basil and rich pine nuts, each dish is a love letter to the art of Italian cooking.

While pizza might not be on the menu, Roma doesn't falter. Instead, it uses this as an opportunity to showcase the diverse and delightful culinary traditions of Italy's many regions. The lack of pizza only underscores Roma's commitment to authenticity, opting to shine a spotlight on lesser-known but equally captivating Italian fare.

Dining at Roma is much more than a meal; it's an experience that captivates all your senses, leaving you entranced by the sheer magic of Italian cuisine. It's a gastronomic journey that traverses the Italian countryside, each dish offering a new vista to explore, a new story to tell.

In the ever-evolving food scene of Portland, Roma stands as a beacon of authentic Italian cooking. It captures the spirit of Italy, the rich tapestry of its culinary heritage, and presents it to you on a plate, transforming an ordinary meal into an extraordinary experience. Roma doesn't just serve food; it serves a slice of Italy in the heart of Portland, transporting you to another place and time with each...