Via Roma
Kristen Chiama
We enjoyed this small, intimate restaurant and highly recommend it to others! The star dishes of the night were the Pasta del Giorno and the Osso Buco followed closely by both appetizers we ordered and the panna cotta for dessert. Roasted Octopus Appetizer - Polipo Best octopus we ever had, cooked perfectly and very tender. Flavorful, tangy, Mediterranean-based spices. Crab Cakes Appetizer- (Daily Special) Well-seasoned, heavy on the crab meat and only minor filler. Surprisingly good and held-up well in comparison to a quality Maryland crab cake. Pasta del Giorno (Daily Special) This was a lovely, notable pasta dish. The fettuccini tasted homemade with a nice al dente texture in a light white wine and garlic sauce. The beef tips were an excellent addition as they balanced the light sauce and increased the depth of the dish without being too heavy. Further, the arugula and cherry tomatoes added a fresh, sweet summer taste to the dish without overcomplicating the dish. Overall, we loved this special and it was a highlight of the dinner. Osso Buco Fantastic, the veal was so tender that you could cut it with a fork. It was complemented well by the saffron risotto which was very flavorful and had a smooth, creamy texture. The sauce was a rich, tomato-based sauce that complemented the veal and risotto. They were thoughtful and included a small fork to access the bone marrow - which was delicious. Pesce del Giorno (Daily Special) Good pan-fried flounder that was cooked perfectly and paired with a well-seasoned spinach. Mare Classic seafood pasta in a marinara sauce. The clams, mussels, and lobster were tender and cooked perfectly. Panna Cotta This is one of my favorite traditional Italian desserts and it was well-represented here. Its a sweet and tangy dessert that is fresh and light. The strawberry sauce was a strong, tangy complement to the sweet, custard. Tiramisu Good ratio of coffee to sweetness, not too bitter or too heavy on the cream. Crme brle Fantastic, hit the spot after a savory meal with a good balance of caramelized sugar to custard.
Leeann S
Food and service were amazing! I ordered the chicken Parmigiano and it was very delicious. My guest and I also ordered the bruschetta (great flavor with a nice cruch) and she got the Rigatoni. Server was helpful and knowledgeable, although she was busy on this Friday evening, my drink was only empty once. A few notes: Need to make a reservation to get a regular table, I ended up at a high top which was okay, but my dinner guest wasn't as comfortable (she is shorter and doesn't do well at high top tables). Parking is a bit cumbersome because of the shopping center design, you may need to park on the other side of Carolina Ale House and walk around. Not terrible just something to note if you are accompanying handicapped or elderly persons or if it's raining. I would go back for a special occasion or celebration, it was on the pricey side for just a regular dinner in my opinion.
Sandy Khaled
Sorry to disappoint but the food was not good at all. Presentation was nice but it was so, so salty! The bruschetta was sad, the martinis (melontini and pomegranate) were meh, just alright, Im sure this place is meant to serve wine and nothing else (stick with what you know best or do better with the martinis). However service was excellent and the staff very kind.
Robert Urbont
This was my first time at Via Roma in Waverly. I can without doubt say that it was a real pleasure eating at this restaurant. It started with a waiter that was gracious as well as enthusiastic of serving our table. Secondarily, the food was well beyond normal Italian fare. The calamari was well prepared and tender. All the four main courses were wonderful. My Mare was excellent with half a lobster which I was not expecting. Just a superb evening.
William Joseph
Our visit was impromptu, so we did not have a reservation. It was relatively early, so we were able to be seated, although the scorn of the hostess that we had no reservation, was obvious. Once past the gatekeeper, the experience improved greatly. Our server Paul, was friendly, engaging and enthusiast about the menu. Strong drinks, smooth wine, and exceptionally well-prepared food. The Polipo as an app was very pleasing, scallops were jumbo and tender, Mare full of tasty seafood, everything presented to appropriate temperature and seasoned perfectly. Minus the initial greeting, a fine dining experience that we would easily enjoy again.
