Romanos Macaroni and Grill

This was our second visit to Macaroni Grill. A fun place, everyone is very friendly, they ask if you've been there before then explain everything very well and make you feel right at home. They bring our a small loaf of bread and pour some wonderful olive oil into a plate for dipping, adding fresh ground pepper if you want. If you want wine they bring a bottle to your table and let you pour your own, adding up the glasses when you're done.
We ordered the appetizer sampler that included Calamari, Fried Cheese and Bruschetta. The Calamari rings were so-so, better than most but not the best we've had (they include a whole tiny fried squid that's fun to taunt the squeamish with!)
The Fried cheese and Bruschetta both may well be the best we've had anywhere. As we were eating, a young woman was going around the restuarant singing Italian opera which was a very nice touch. There was a happy relaxed atmosphere all around.
I ordered the Eggplant Parmesan, which I had the last time we visited a Macaroni Grill. That time it was definitely the best I had had in a restaurant, this time was, unfortunately, the worst I had had in a restaurant. It had obviously sat around before being cooked as the eggplant was very dark and with a mushy/slimy texture. Everything else was wonderful though and we had had plenty of fodd so I wasn't going to say anything but when the wairess asked iif I wanted a box for it and I said no, she asked if there was something wrong then she immediately had the manager take it off the bill. THe other two people in our party both ordered the Penne with Oven-Roasted Chicken which they were very happy with. I had both a
Leaning Bellini and a Cosmopolitan Cello ( It was my birthday!) which were both very good but a little on the expensive side at between $6 & $7.00 each.
With an appetizer, 2 entrees , one soft drink and bar tab with 4 drinks our bill totaled around $55.00.
All in all, a wonderful time!

Campy and casual: First, Romano's is a chain, and like chain restaurants before it, it follows the rules in trying recipes that appeal to the masses. We've eaten there twice, and both times its been very good - We LOVE the bread! The Pomegranite Martini's were fabulous - kudos to the bartender; I wasn't knocked out by the alcohol - yet there was enough there to feel it. Everyone enjoyed their meals, and took half home for dinner the next day. The desserts were good, and we all did a round-robin sampling each other's dish. The Peanut/Chocolate Ravioli were the least favorite - VERY heavy (like rocks), and the peanuts were whole - would have been better if they were chopped. Overall, we can't complain, and there wasn't a television in site.

Fun Place: We just love this place - The chocolate ravolis are...amazing!