Corner Post restaurant review
When in 'Rome' ....

by Carah Hart, posted May 3, 2010

Watch out, Olive Garden and Fazoli’s, Columbia might have a new favorite Italian place in town. It’s called The Rome, and is located in downtown Columbia. It brings traditional Italian cuisine to downtown. The Rome restaurant provides a rustic atmosphere with a great variety of homemade Italian food.

First established in Franklin, Mass., by Eugenio and Filomena Colace, The Rome offers homemade Italian dishes at an affordable price to satisfy a variety of customers.

Dan Colace and university colleague Cory Hodapp decided to bring some of Franklin’s Italian cooking to downtown Columbia. In 2008, the Columbia location of The Rome opened, only 43 years after the first was established in Massachusetts.

To Colace, the restaurant is a family tradition, but to manager Dean Montgomery, close friend of Colace, it’s a living.

“After all the hard work put into this restaurant, it is rewarding when you hear a customer say it’s better than any place in Columbia,” said Montgomery.

Menu items include bruschetta (a slice of Italian bread topped with tomato sauce and garlic), fried ravioli, garlic bread with cheese and sweet Italian sausages, soups, salads, calzones, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and desserts. The Rome offers a children’s menu to appeal to families as well. Customer favorites include the red sauce, meatballs, alfredo sauce and tiramisu, a dessert with a biscuit-like center covered in chocolate and powdered sugar.

Alex Kirby, Columbia native, says that he enjoys the atmosphere of the Rome and would recommend it to anyone wanting to experience homemade Italian food.

“I really like the chicken Caesar salad, but a little bit fills your stomach,” said Kirby.

The Rome seats about 130 people and serves about 1,000 people weekly. High ceilings and comfortable booths provide a great atmosphere for any occasion, and The Rome takes reservations.

Located at 114 S. Ninth St., The Rome is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m.

“I encourage everyone to check it out and with us, you can’t go wrong,” Montgomery added.

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