Table Talk's Table for Twelve went to Italy last Wednesday via Ristorante Roma. If you haven't been to Ristorante Roma it is like walking into a small eatery/deli in Italy where you instantly feel like you are part of the family and it is just a happy, loud place with good food and great people. After our last Table for Twelve we decided that we wanted to know from our guests how they enjoyed the ambience, food, drink, and service, so we created a survey that was conducted after the meal. The guests all arrived around seven and we had a long table that reminded me of the family suppers in Italy.
The wine and conversation started flowing instantly as our guests got to know one another. Ristorante Roma has a great Italian wine list and the average price is around $30. We started out with bread and olive oil, meat anti pasto, caprese, and Roma Salad (Italian salad with salmon and shrimp). The diners all enjoyed their appetizers (rated them a 7.2), with the meat anti pasti being the true favorite. In typical Italian style we were taking our time and enjoying every part of the experience... so after about forty-five minutes of discussion we decided on entrees. The dishes
tried were the Penne all’Arrabbiata, Pappardelle Funghi e Salsiccia, Fettucine Bolognese, Gnocchi di Patate al Salmone, Fettucine ai Frutti di Mare (clams, mussels, shrimp), Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi(gorgonzola, parmigiano, mozzarella, and pecorino), and Ravioli Bolognese. The prices for these dishes ranged from $11 to $15. Our guests rated their entrees at a 7 with a general consensus that they were good and a few thought some of the dishes were bland in particular the Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi. I had the penne and the spicy fresh tomato sauce is one of my favorites in Portland and is definitely not on the bland side.The dessert was definitely the highlight and it was obvious with the ratings everyone gave... it ended up with a 9. We ordered the Tiramisu and Panna Cotta and of the two the Tiramisu was the big winner.
The mascarpone/ custard mixture is so thick and creamy that it actually melts in your mouth and it is perfectly accompanied with cakes that are lightly soaked in coffee/rum. The Panna Cotta had too much gelatin making it too firm to enjoy the should-be creamy texture.After the meal our happy, full, and content guests lingered as though we were really in Italy and that was the only thing we had to do that night. It was a delightful night and our guests gave an overall average rating of Ristorante Roma a 7.8.
-M
Ristorante Roma *(503) 241-2692 * 622 SW 12th Ave * reservations recommended * Mon-Thu 11am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm, Fri 11am-2pm, 5pm-9:30pm, Sat 5pm-9:30pm
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I thought Ristorante Roma was great. It is what it is--a simple little Italian restaurant with big plates of pasta and a guy from Rome in the kitchen. That's exactly what I would have said if I had written the review, anyway. That's why Michelle wrote it.
ReplyDeleteI had the pappardelle with sausage and mushrooms. I enjoyed it until Brian W swapped seats with me so we could mingle and ate the rest of it. Whatever!
I also relished the tiramisu, until Michelle stuck her finger in it and I had to stop eating that too.
No wonder I'm so malnourished.
This place was ooooh so sweet! The tiramisu...The tiramisu...The tiramisu... ooooooooooh... The tiramisu!!!! On a side note, I hear of a Peruvian restaurant in Gresham of all places would be a future venue for Table for XII. G
ReplyDeleteThis was my 1st Table for 12 and what a great time. Everyone had so much fun!...I can't wait to go again. It was interesting to talk with people about their favorite food and places. Now I have a couple of must visit restaurants that weren't on my list. Thanks G and D.
ReplyDeleteRistorante Roma had excellent food and it was nice to be able to try so many things. The Tiramisu left me wanting to go back and get more. I'm also a fan of the Fettucine Bolognese.
Thanks Ristorante Roma and TableTalk