Cafe di Roma came highly recommended, albeit from older reviews, so we eagerly made a reservation. The ambiance was delightful, exuding a cozy, familiar Italian charm--just what one would expect and the staff was gracious and understanding which is why I give the two stars in my review. However, our food experience was incredibly disappointing, almost like a cruel joke.
My son, a pizza enthusiast, ordered a margherita, a dish he knows well. My daughter craved carbonara, while I was excited to see saltimbocca on the menu. Unfortunately, my anticipation was crushed when I learned that the saltimbocca is served with fries and salad, an unusual deviation from its traditional accompaniments of artichokes or rosemary-roasted potatoes found in most Italian restaurants across Europe.
Disappointed, I pivoted and opted for lasagna, specifically inquiring if the sauces were homemade. After a lengthy wait, the dishes arrived, but the presentation was subpar. However, focusing solely on taste, the lasagna was a mishmash of undercooked elements with burnt pasta edges. The meat resembled dry, unseasoned lumps lacking any identifiable flavor or proper ragu consistency. The tomato sauce tasted raw, lacking reduction, acidity correction, or seasoning. The absence of bechamel sauce or ricotta between the layers made it nearly inedible and I started to feel severe acid reflux after just a few bites.
Considering my kids' hunger at that point, I was still contemplated staying despite the disappointing meal. However, my son politely picking at his pizza revealed its bizarre nature--a crust resembling flatbread, burned underneath yet soggy in the middle, devoid of any seasoning or flavor.
My daughter, typically kind and accommodating, struggled through her carbonara. Upon sampling, I almost gagged. The fettuccini was the sole redeeming aspect; the dish replaced the expected pancetta with soggy bacon bits and drowned everything in uncooked, unseasoned cream, a far cry from a proper carbonara.
This experience felt surreal--a dismal attempt at Italian cuisine. While I acknowledge creative liberties in cooking, the rawness and careless assembly of ingredients were stomach-turning. Sending back every dish was an unpleasant and embarrassing task, met graciously by the staff. I am not one to make a scene or be critical, yet this was the first time I couldn't swallow a bite in a restaurant. It was an uncomfortable and disheartening situation, leaving me with the conclusion that the chef lacked passion and talent for their craft and should consider a different career. read more