As it gets closer to Valentine’s Day, it’s good to know a restaurant with romantic and elegant dining. An Italian restaurant that exemplifies just that is located in Portland’s West End, hidden among the residential buildings along Congress Street.
The Roma Caf? was founded in 1924 and moved from 489 Congress Street to its current location in 1935. The old brownstone’s interior has been preserved in its original design and decor and represents a classic 19th century home. The simplicity of the dining room offers an overwhelming feeling of elegance and romance. Lavender curtains hang from large windows, giving the room a touch of color to off-set the white table settings. The lighting is soft, as is the classical background music. Oil paintings give the room sophistication. A large wooden staircase near the entrance leads to three other dining rooms and large bathrooms with old, ornate fixtures.
We were immediately seated in the far corner of the downstairs dining room. After pulling out my chair, our waiter introduced himself and gave us each an extensive menu containing a variety of enticing descriptions. He then brought us a large glass dish filled with fresh celery, radishes and olives and a plate of thinly sliced garlic bread doused in butter. A dish of freshly grated Parmesan cheese accompanied the bread.
The waiter listed several specials in a hushed tone and asked if he could be of any help with the somewhat complicated menu. We decided to order the Fresh Mozzarella with Plum Tomatoes, with roasted peppers, pesto and garlic crostini ($6). It was a perfect start to an excellent meal.
The mozzarella rounds were neatly arranged around the edge of the plate, each slice resting on a large juicy slice of tomato. The toppings in the middle added sweetness to the hors d’oeuvres. Other appetizers include Shrimp Cocktail $7.95), Grilled Portabella Mushroom Salad ($5.95) and Maine Crab Cakes ($7.95).
I ordered the Haddock Pizzaiola which is baked in a fresh tomato and herb sauce with garlic and Parmesan ($16.50). This was served with crisp sauteed green beans, red peppers and yellow squash slices and rice pilaf. The perfectly cooked haddock was served in a sea of garlic and herb sauce with chunks of tomatoes as well as whole cherry tomatoes. The sweet tomatoes accented the fish giving it a marvelous taste. One of my dinner companions ordered the Roast Pork Tenderloin with a brandy and sage pan gravy, with homemade applesauce ($11.50). The pork was thinly cut and perfectly cooked. The gravy added a juicy dipping sauce and the homemade applesauce consisted of whole slices of grilled apples with a thick sweet sauce. The other member of my party ordered the Chicken Parmesan which was an enormous helping of chicken topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. This dish came with a side of spaghetti ($14.95). Other entrees include Roasted Rack of Lamb ($19.95), Seafood Linguine ($16.50), Tomato and Basil Penne Primavera ($11.95), New York Sirloin ($16.95) and Filet Mignon ($18.95).
We finished up our relaxing evening with coffee and tiramisu ($5.50). The coffee was perfect and the desert was rich. Our entire meal was satisfying, and we were perfectly attended to throughout.
The Roma Caf? was voted Portland’s most romantic restaurant in the Maine Sunday Telegram’s Reader’s Poll for four consecutive years. Our waiter told us the reservation list for Valentine’s Day is full with couples. No wonder-this is a perfect place for a special occasion especially if love is involved. The air is filled with it here and the elegant setting only enhances it.
Staff Writer Katie Gallagher can be contacted at: [email protected]