Romaria

Although Romaria bills itself as a pizzeria, it’s menu, although short, is diverse. The menu’s personality is definitely Italian, with the bulk of the offered items being either pizza or pasta. But they also serve some unique, tasty salads and soups. And some excellent desserts.

The food is very good. And as a result, this extremely small restaurant, seating no more than 15 patrons indoors and another dozen or so on the uncovered terrace out front when there’s favorable weather, is often overflowing with humanity during peak hours.

Which, of course, means there is frequently a wait for a table. And since the place is so small, that waiting is done out front on the sidewalk.

By the time a patron gets to a table during these peak hours they already have a bad taste in their mouths that doesn’t subside, no matter how tasty the pizza or pasta might be.

Oh, and by the way, the pizza is delicious. A stretchy, steaming dough, slightly blistered, covered with the perfect ratio of toppings. A light, fresh tomato puree. Creamy mozzarella and real shards of Parmesan cheese with high-quality prosciutto and fresh, fragrant herbs. Perhaps the best pizza in town.

Did I mention the pasta? It’s delicious, too. Perfectly al dente, with the same high-quality ingredients that grace the pizza, topping the pasta as well. There are unique versions of everything on the menu that defy tradition, which is good thing. It’s not authentic. It’s better than authentic.

I love this place and I’m smart enough not show up during peak hours. I suppose that’s a little trick I’ve learned as a restaurant critic. And it’s good advice for everyone. It’s Rule #1. Don’t go to restaurants, especially really popular restaurants, including Romaria, when they are very busy. If you do, your chance of an unpleasant experience goes up exponentially.

There’s another minor negative at Romaria. The place is a bit drafty on cold days during the winter. So that’s Rule #2. Don’t go to Romaria when the temperature is below 5°C, unless, of course, you’re buying a pizza to-go so that you can enjoy it while watching re-runs of Seinfeld on the tube.

Which reminds me about the final rule. That’s #3 if you’re counting. If you do have to wait for a table, don’t complain to the owner. Because the reaction you’ll get will remind you of the Soup Nazi on Seinfeld.