Gay Travel – Trattoria Roma – Providence, RI
Trattoria Roma / 310 Atwells Ave / Providence, RI 02903 / 401-331-5000
Stepping into Trattoria Roma is truly like stepping into Italy. The smells, the ambiance, the friendliness of the staff are all so authentic you will forget you are in Rhode Island!
However, Rhode Island you are and Roma Providence, an icon in my opinion, is a place that should not be missed!
Trattoria Roma encompasses all of the traditions and ambiance of Italian cuisine.
The Trattoria was built as an addition to the famous Roma Marketplace, a quaint little Italian grocery shop that has a variety of imported goods from Italy. Roma’s Marketplace is stocked with everything from pasta to freshly baked pastries, deli meats, prepared foods, coffee, drinks and a fully stocked bar.
There is so much to Roma Providence! The marketplace, the trattoria and their banquet hall – but more on that in a bit.
Let’s focus on the trattoria and dinner!
My date for the evening was my mother (or as us Italians say – “mama” and “ma”). Having grown up on “the hill” she remembered when the space Roma Providence occupies used to be called Small World Cafe.
Oh the stories she filled me in on! Her face lit up as she walked inside through the marketplace and saw all the tempting Italian meats, prepared foods and desserts!
We were greeted by our friendly server and shown to our table in the classy, yet laid back, dining room.
We had a window seat and enjoyed a beautiful view of electric Atwells Avenue.
A bread basket was brought out right away consisting of Italian bread, pepper sticks and wine biscuits. The bread was served with olive oil and seasonings. Delicious!
I hear you giggling! 😉
For an appetizer we shared the fresh wood fired Margherita Pizza ( made with San Marzano tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, basil, garlic and parmigiano reggiano cheese).
Roma’s dough is to die for! The pizza was beyond delicious with the flavoring of garlic and basil busting in my mouth.
For our entrees I chose the Gnocchi Della Nonna Al Forno (potato dumplings in a San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh basil, parmigiano reggiano cheese and melted mozzarella – baked).
My mother, Linda, ordered the Bistecca Portobello (prime rib eye steak grilled, topped with sauteed portobello mushroom, drizzled with their premium aged balsamic reduction, served with roasted garlic whipped potatoes and grilled asparagus).
The authenticity of the food we ate goes beyond explanation. These are flavors that need to be experienced.
The gnocchi oozing with mozzarella cheese melted in my mouth and let me just say, Roma’s sauce should be award winning because it is THAT good. The prime rib eye steak was cooked to absolute perfection with the aged balsamic reduction blanketing it with mouth watering flavor.
We were beside ourselves!
While dining I couldn’t help but overhear the two people sitting at the table next to my mother and I.
The woman told her friend that “everything was amazing” on the menu. She clearly had eaten at Roma’s many times and seemed proud to share this experience with the man she was dining with.
Service was quick, friendly and informative. The type service that makes you feel as if you have known the server your entire life. Super laid back – yet professional. Love it!
For the first time in history I can say that we were too full to order dessert, which is a crime in the Italian culture, but have no fear —we shall return! 😉
From the looks of the desserts I saw in the marketplace, I can only imagine how delicious they are!
MENU’S:
HOURS:
- Tuesday-Thursday 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Sunday 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
RESERVATIONS: Yes. You can call 401-331-5000.
VALET PARKING: Yes.
CATERING: Roma’s is the perfect choice to cater your next event. For more information click HERE. http://romaprov.com/index.php/catering-menu/
GAY & LESBIAN FACTOR: I Rhode Island. I love Providence and I love that I grew up on Federal Hill (“the hill”). I have always found this area to be very gay friendly, especially lately with the ever growing Brown, RISD and Johnson & Wales University students taking up residency. The area is taking on more of a “South Beach-Miami” feel (especially in the summertime). There is an artsy / eclectic side and a definite high-end side. The people I were in contact with at Roma’s, including Ray Petrucci, took great care of me and were very personable and welcoming. Our waitress was warm and friendly and didn’t even blink when I said I was from Gay Travel Information doing a review. Trattoria Roma would make a perfect date spot, night out with friends or quick lunch (or snack) stop! They have everything you could possibly want to indulge any Italian cravings you may have. I most definitely am “OUTING” Trattoria Roma as LGBT friendly and worthy of our business.
Trattoria Roma and Roma Marketplace are the type places I will frequent again and again. You can’t beat the ambiance, prices and location – but what it all comes down to is the FOOD and that alone is worth the trip.
Desiree Sousa
Owner
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