RomanSQ | artisan pizza — Restaurant in Siesta Key

I visited a friend in Sarasota, and he told me about a pizza joint that I HAD to try that served up Roman pizza. I’m a pizza nut but I was unfamiliar with “Roman” pizza. I think pizza is the world’s most perfect food – all pizza is good. It all starts out good and just gets better depending on how it’s made, what the crust is, how thick it is, how dense it is, what the sauce is like, etc. etc. etc. I was skeptical just a bit.

We went to RomanSQ, a small pizza restaurant in a rough looking block of restaurants and other businesses. I was even more skeptical when I saw the area.

RomanSQ is a small, clean, comfortable little shop. Plenty of tables to eat at, a good selection of bottled beer, soda, teas and water. We went in and my eyes were immediately drawn to the pizza that was laid out for choice behind the glass counter. Rectangular pizza with some really amazing looking toppings. We ordered Margherita Pizza, a sausage pizza and the carbonara pizza (that was a lot of pizza for 2) to share.

OMG! Best pizza I have ever had. Molto bene! ! ! Sorprendente! Pizza insolita e deliziosa!

Amazing. Unusual, very different. The crust was outstanding. It was a substantial crunchy crispy outside crust with a thick but not dense, airy, light delicious interior covered in a substantial amount of toppings that were so incredibly flavorful. I could have stayed there all afternoon and eaten every one of the varied offerings.

The pizza is fresh, fresh ingredients and authentic. You can taste the thoughtfulness and pride that goes into the making of these pizzas. Behind the counter were the owners. Real Italians from Italy. Friendly, engaging, helpful, funny people. Tom and his Hoa were great fun to talk to. When I asked about the unusual pizza dough and crust, they explained that it is fermented and kept for 96 hours in the refrigerator to get the taste and consistency that is really amazing. The texture of the pizza dough is unlike any I’ve eaten before and was unbelievably delicious.

The pizza, in addition to the standbys of loaded pepperoni, cheese and margherita, came in some amazing combinations. The carbonara was intensely flavorful with a load of fresh garlic (one can never have enough garlic!). There was a variety of Parmesan pizzas a wonderful looking eggplant parmigiana, a pesto that looked mouthwatering, and a prosciutto crudo with arugula and lemon oil. The mushroom pizza looked over-the-top loaded and really remarkable. Fabulous!

RomanSQ, Tom and Hoa offer up a huge variety of fresh, high quality Roman pizza, and pizza trays. You can order online or in person. I wish I lived closer. I’d eat here 3 or 4 times a week. I commend RomanSQ to you wholeheartedly without reservation. If you love pizza and love fresh, delicious tastes and remarkable textures, you must give...

Saying someplace has the best pizza is just asking for a fight, and I'm not trying to start anything of the sort; however, RomanSQ is the best pizza I've ever eaten. Full stop.

If you like a boring circular pizza cut into wedges, there are plenty of other places at your disposal. If you like deep dish, cut into squares, also plenty of options out there.

If you want pizza the way it was meant to be done, this is the spot. The pizzas are long and narrow, and cut into squares, then again into rectangles. Each rectangle is about the equivalent of a regular pizza slice, so you get two per order. The crust is somehow light and airy, yet crispy. The sauce is simultaneously full flavored and tomato forward without a bunch of other stuff in it. Buffalo mozzarella, need I say more? And then the toppings... Oh the toppings! I like plain cheese pizza, and usually I'll have a pizza margherita as a taste test at a new place. It's simple, but the best way to get a feel for the quality of ingredients. I skipped it this time and had a slice with tomatoes, sausage, and broccoli, and upon the first bite, I was awestruck. Everything was in perfect balance. I also got to try a piece with mushrooms, onions, and banana peppers, aptly named the Devil, which was also well balanced and spicy (lip burning, need a second napkin for your runny nose, spicy). Both paired perfectly with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon one of the owners suggested.

And I still brought half of each slice home (as well as two slices of other offerings)! It was too delicious to rush through. Each bite is worthy of savoring.

Without the wine, it would be easy to eat for less than $10 per person, with...

This was our first time here and my wife and I had been planning to dine here when we knew we were in the Gulf Gate area. Locally owned and operated by a family, you will feel at once you’re in a neighborhood restaurant, along with patrons who have dined there many times and tell you everything there is delicious and fresh. Encouraged by a couple standing in line with us, we chose two different squares of RomanSQ artisan pizza: the Salsiccia Funghi (sweet sausage and mushrooms) and the Genovese Pesto, along with their mixed greens salad. Like the other patrons attested, everything we ate was delicious. They do have bottles of wine and beer there as self serve, with glasses upon request. They have a few tables for those who wish to dine there like us, but most appear to order ahead for takeout. The chef/owner and his wife are great at welcoming while they prepare and cook the pizzas. It’s a great place to meet up with friends for a light casual meal in a friendly, neighborly atmosphere. Saw one couple who even BYOB’d while they enjoyed a return visit to the restaurant. We will be returning to try their other pizza offerings as well as recommending to our friends and neighbors and will also be ordering a couple of trays for takeout in the future…. If you haven’t been there it is worth a visit and… I guarantee you’ll be wanting to come back! My wife and I don’t recommend a lot of restaurants we have tried in Sarasota, Venice and surrounding areas - although this area does have some good choices - but this will be one of our “go to’s”....