Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Romano’s Macaroni Grill Restaurant Review:

One of over 220 Macaroni Grill clones in an international chain, this fast-casual restaurant offers no surprises. Which is a good thing for families with small children, since the guaranteed givens include a cheap kids’ menu (featuring, of course, mac ‘n’ cheese), high chairs, restroom changing stations, paper tablecloths plus crayons for doodling on same, and a noise level that covers up most small-fry behavior slips. Grown-ups can count on free-flowing house wine and festive faux-rustic atmosphere, evoking a fantasy Italian trattoria. And the food’s reliably tasty, though Italian-style rather than authentic Italian---a mix of Italian-American classics (spaghetti and meatballs) and dishes Americanized with more mod touches: Boursin cheese-topped filet mignon; honey-balsamic-glazed grilled chicken with sun-dried tomato cappellini; barbecue chicken pizza; “Dessert Ravioli” stuffed with chocolate, caramel and peanuts.