Roma, an Italian restaurant located on 820 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park, specializes in traditional Roman and Northern Italian dishes, offering a menu centered on antipasti, classic pasta dishes, and a wide range of proteins. With an emphasis on familiar flavors and an upscale casual dining atmosphere, the restaurant positions itself as a destination for diners seeking a true Italian experience.
We visited Roma at around 7:45 pm on a Friday night; the ambience was casual upscale yet relaxed, with a comfortable number of patrons in the dining area inside. There was also an outdoor seating area, complete with lights and heaters.
Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly by the host and manager, David, who seated us and engaged in lively conversation before taking our orders.
We ordered the “Grilled Atlantic Salmon,” which was served on a bed of spinach, onions and roasted potatoes, garnished with lemon-caper aioli. The salmon was extremely well-cooked – the meat was tender and buttery, and the flavors complemented one another beautifully.
The “Nonna’s Ragu” can only be described as indulgent, with a generous topping of ricotta cheese and bolognese atop the creamy fettuccine. The textures alone were slightly heavy, but the overall blend came off as rich rather than overwhelming.
The “Pazzo Alfredo,” another decadent fettuccine featuring chicken, sausage, soppressata and red peppers, was also delicious. Much like the others, the flavors all shone through; the blend of different proteins was a slightly unique touch.
There is nothing experimental about Roma’s approach to Italian cuisine, and that is precisely its strength in an era where excess often masquerades as innovation. Roma’s menu is grounded in traditional dishes made with fresh, organic ingredients, executed with restraint and respect for culinary canon. Roma offers something increasingly rare – a dining experience that values continuity and craftsmanship.
Another unique aspect of Roma’s dining experience is its emphasis on community building.
Roma’s manager, David, shared more about his background and how he came to Roma. “I am a manager, an investor, and a close, close friend of the owners. I moved here two years ago from Boston. I own[ed] a garbage company and my wife is a molecular biologist…so she moved us out here. I was retired. I made really good friends with the owners over a short period of time. And the owner’s son, Will, now runs the restaurant.”
On the topic of ownership, David continued, “Will was 20. He was actually on his way to having a very successful correctional soccer career. His parents both had some medical issues, so he quit to come back and take care of his family. And [now], he’s 23, and one of the most hardworking, intelligent, responsible young men. I’ve really enjoyed learning from him, and I’m tutoring him on some of my business skills. It’s been fun.”
Little by little, Roma slowly grew and continued to create and implement new changes to the menu and overall experience.
“[At first], we started talking about changing the menu, making the food more traditional Italian, and simplifying a little bit. So we took a lot of [my nonna’s] recipes, and one of my other friends, Damiano de Palo – who once owned one of the most famous restaurants in Boston called Carmelina’s – is the best chef I’ve ever met,” David said. “[The current owner’s parents and the chefs] taught me so much – I just gave them the basics of their recipes, and they adapted them…so it’s really a team effort.”
Roma is also wheelchair accessible, vegetarian and gluten-free friendly and offers a catering service. On weekdays, Roma is open from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm and 4:30 pm – 9:00 pm; on weekends, the hours are 10:30 am – 9:00 pm.
