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Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Suman Bolar

Suman Bolar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:12:17 +0000

LOL @ “Sheep in lamb’s clothing” Manjit: the music is an add-on, people come for the food. Red flag!!

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Priya

Priya — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:30:04 +0000

Have to concur with Zarine on H&S, though I’ve been a fan for ages. I’ve had to leave with a bad taste in my mouth on two separate occasions, once due to an extremely over-salted prawn starter (somewhat like a tempura), and once for ingesting a lamb goulash where the lamb tasted like a sheep in, well, lamb’s clothing. Nothing worse than a stinky goulash… The bread is also stale on occasion.

Sorry, Manjeet, but as with most places that I love, standards do begin to slip as accolades start pouring in. There must be a mathematical equation for this, which all proprietors of restaurants would do well to study closely.

Condolences on your poor meal — it must be quite a bummer to have to spew vitriol in a review — contrary to what most critics of critics like to think!

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Suman Bolar

Suman Bolar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:37:57 +0000

Semaphore: Thanks for reading! We used to live in the DC area, and I have eaten at Romano’s Grill. Come to think of it, their (American size) Margheritas were about $10 (equivalent of the really bad canned tuna rubbish above, and miles better). Although I’d hardly classify this as a great restaurant, I agree with your assessment of Romano’s as one of the better restochains. Don’t recall the foccacia though.

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Semaphore

Semaphore — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:41:51 +0000

Just one more thing about the Romano’s in the Us, the house speciality is an excellent foccachia and the medit fav dipping of ist press virgin olive oil +seasalt+black pepper

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Semaphore

Semaphore — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:39:31 +0000

Amazing this, The name is very close to the Romano’s in the US which is rather good as chain ristorante’s go by. One can easily be misled perhaps?

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Suman Bolar

Suman Bolar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:04:48 +0000

Siddhartha: Hey there! I agree about the price point – but only to a certain extent. Difficult, yes; impossible, no. I think that if less bucks were put into frills like wall decor and staff uniforms, and more into basics like ingredients and staff training, coupled with *intelligent* marketing, we as consumers would be better off.

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Siddhartha

Siddhartha — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:06:04 +0000

Suman, I think it is difficult to get western food right at these prices (though Romana doesnt even seem to make an effort), and all we can hope is that they are not pretentious (which again Romana seems to be). You either need to have a large immigrant population from that country running family restaurants (which is unlikely in India other than maybe Bangladeshi restaurants ) or expensive places with expat chefs and imported ingredients.

I have had a Italian meals of varying quality all over Bangalore (including at H&S, slightly better a Via Milano, really bad at Littel Italy, good at iTalia). Even much richer Mumbai doesnt fare much better – most recently at much hyped Mangi Ferra where Risotto was limestone white (what stock can give that color?), and Neapolitan pizza had cheese of pale yellow colour (I am sure not Amul, but what?). So, maybe, just grin and bear!

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Suman Bolar

Suman Bolar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:08:09 +0000

Hmmm. Gotta say I have never had a bad meal at H&S. I love the grilled fish. What exactly went wrong with your meals? Specifics? I will admit that the complimentary bread basket is sometimes not as fresh as it should be. Will also say that I dislike imitation crab being described as “crab claw”, and that one or two wait staff are obtuse. Slipping standards, y’think? Will make a trip soon. Wine tavern? Nice.

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Zarine

Zarine — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:21:03 +0000

Thanks Suman- one trip saved. By the way, you’ve referred to Herbs and Spice ever so often. Just a tip – we’ve had THREE god-awful meals there and just today i spoke to someone whose sworn off Herbs and Spice forever. Their salads are good but the veg. lasagne and grilled fish were disasters. Bread is ALWAYS stale. So go back and check it out. Can’t comment on the pizza since i am not a fan of pizza except when i’m touring Italy !!
HOpe to have you back soon – have changed the cafe menu and added many more to the Parsi one. We are also a wine tavern now.

Comment on Pizzeria Romano, Koramangala by Suman Bolar

Suman Bolar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:21:45 +0000

Sid: Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do. Or maybe they do…