Romano's Macaroni Grill

I have been going to Romano’s Macaroni Grill for years now. I have always preferred it to some of the other Italian chain restaurants, but it has been a while since I have dined there. I was recently given a gift card to Chili’s, but since there are four restaurants that are all part of the same company it could be used at any of them so we decided to return to Macaroni Grill to see what was new.

The space is huge and the kitchens are out in the open so you can see everything being prepared as you walk in.

In Macaroni Grill tradition the server came and wrote her name upside down in crayon on the butcher paper tabletop and then brought us that delicious Bread with the Olive Oil and Cracked Pepper to dip it in.

 We noticed that they offer a special where you can choose two Italian Tapas for $9. We also noticed that on the new Fall Menu that offered a Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Crostini (which was right up my alley) and on the regular menu they offered Crispy Artichoke Potato Cakes, which were right up my friends’ alley so we decided on those two for our appetizers.

The Crostinis were delicious! The crispy Toasts were piled high with Beets, Goat Cheese, Butternut Squash, Greens and a sweet Balsamic Reduction.

 The Artichoke Potato Cakes were fried to a golden crisp, and even though I didn’t care for the Sauce that accompanied them, there were good on their own.

For my entrée I selected another dish from the new Fall Menu that sounded appetizing to me, Butternut Asiago Tortellaci (Four Cheese stuffed Pasta, Roasted Butternut Squash, Crispy Prosciutto, Truffle Cream, Pumpkin Seeds $16).

For a few additional dollars I added the Bibb and Blue Salad (Bibb Leaves, Blue Cheese, Pancetta, Walnuts, Pickled Red Onions, Buttermilk Dressing). This was a fantastic Salad and I loved all of the flavors in it.

Then as my main dish arrived I knew that I had made the right choice. It was served on a long plate and since I had eaten so much already I knew that I was going to be taking most of this home with me. The Cheese-Filled Pastas were tender and creamy and the Butternut Squash and the Pumpkin Seeds meshed with it beautifully. The crispy Prosciutto made it hearty and gave it a salty flavor. 

My original plan was unsuccessful and I ate the whole dish, it was so good that I just couldn’t stop.

I passed on dessert, but still left feeling a little over-stuffed.

It was a very tasty meal and I’m sure it won’t be too long before I go back for more. Even if they change the seasonal menu it will be OK because they offer so many freshly made, delicious dishes.