Romano's Macaroni Grill (Reported Closed)

Doesn't Recommend

ghs

Joined 9 years ago

Mediocre in Northgate. We have given this place three tries and it gets a thumbs down, which is a sad state since we were so excited that a new Italian place with lots of seating and booths opened so close to us. Although the decor is inviting with warm wood tones everywhere, I wish they put more emphasis on the food and service than how pretty the place is. The quality of the food is mediocre at best with coffee shop style salads and absolutely no imagination to the menu. Even for non-foodies it doesn't make it. It feels more like an old American restaurant than a modern Italian one! The paper tablecloths and crayon is fun for kids and doodlers, but that doesn't make it worthwhile to go there. The staff are all young and cute, but the service is canned and lacking a sense of urgency. I'm all for eateries that offer "standard" fare, but make it quality and tasty! Is this the best that he north end of Seattle can offer? Yet another reason to eat downtown.

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diamondbride

Joined 6 years ago

Best Experience Ever. My first notice was the moment we walked through the door the two women at the front greeted us with a smile and a hello. On top of that we were shown to our seats prompty. WIthin just a minute or so our server was there taking our order. The hot chocolate was perfect, the paper to play hangman on was hillarious and the food was absolutely superb. Our poor waitress had been there all day, and was in for a late night, but managed to keep a bright and non-plastic smile on her face. Between the food and the service I couldn't have been more pleased. This one definately is a keeper.

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flossygomez

Joined 5 years ago

Good for the mall crowd I guess. Went here for lunch. Impressed that they had steak on the lunch menu. Most places

lighten up their lunch menu. So I ordered the Tuscan Ribeye and the house

salad with blue cheese. My dining partner ordered chicken scallopini with

artichoke hearts, mushrooms, prosciutto, capers and vermicelli and the house

salad with Italian dressing..

First off, the place has a winning decor. The music was the absolute correct

volume. The service was very good (tipped $5.00 on a $29.42 bill). Corporate has

got it down on ambiance and training the wait staff.

The only thing missing was the food.

Salad arrives. My dining partner exclaims, "This a Denny's salad" and eats only 1/2 of it. I eat two thirds and

agree.

The entrees arrive. My dining partner tastes the "can" in the canned artichoke

hearts and the prosciutto is a bit too thick sliced adding too much salt to the

dish. Meanwhile with the steak I taste little steak and mostly char. It's

cooked correctly, but a cleaning of the grill might be in order.

On a side point, the tart italian soda my partner ordered was great and my

italian import beer was wonderful. One italian beer on the beer menu - only one Italian

import must be a sin somewhere. I know Italy must have more than one beer to

offer.

Loved and hated the bread. The loaf was warm and fresh baked. A great starter

for a meal. But like all/most bread in Seattle it was not finished, had low

gluten content and was not chewy. Real Italian bread is chewy and crispy.

Seemed like Gai's and Franz on their best day.

We skipped dessert. Entree portions are huge.

I gave a star for the decor. A star for the service. Great customer service. And a star for the price. Two stars would have been more in order, because if there is no food what is the purpose of dining out?

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seattlefoodlva

Joined 6 years ago

Good service and great food. I just went there last night with my sister and between the two of us, we shared an appetizer sampler, a big plate of chicken rigatoni and a dessert. Our check: $30.19. The food was great. We were very impressed with the service too. For some reason, however, the place were not as crowded as the Ram's next door.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Performing chefs cook up rustic, home-style Italian entrees at this buzzing family restaurant.. In Short
A boisterous, all-ages crowd of pasta lovers pack this energetic Italian spot, where chefs clad in white hats and red scarves keep diners wide-eyed by showing their moves in the busy open kitchen. The menu boasts family-sized portions of hearty traditional fare, from antipasti, chicken and pasta dishes to seafood, steak and wood-fired pizzas. Signature plates include grilled pork chops, lobster ravioli, and penne rustica with shrimp, grilled chicken and smoked prosciutto in cream sauce.