Romeo's Restaurant Review: Italian Fine Dining in Jackson Heights Worth Trying?

BySaif

Quick Summary

  • Restaurant: Romeo's Restaurant
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Rating: 9.0/10
  • Address: 74-27 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
  • Price Range: Expensive
  • Restaurant Week Price: $45 (Three-Course Dinner)
  • What I Ordered: Fried Calamari, Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan), Chocolate Soufflé
  • My Favorite Dish: Melanzane Alla Parmigiana
  • Would I Return? Yes, I'd love to try their ravioli and other pasta dishes.

Watch My Experience

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A Great Time to Try Fine Dining

I don't usually eat at fine dining restaurants because they can be expensive. That's one of the reasons I look forward to NYC Restaurant Week every year. Restaurant Week gives me the chance to try restaurants that I've been curious about while spending less than I normally would. Instead of paying full price for every dish, participating restaurants offer a special three-course menu at a fixed price.

Exterior storefront of Romeo's Italian Ristorante in Jackson Heights, featuring a large oval wooden sign with red cursive text on a classic red brick building.
The inviting exterior of Romeo's Restaurant on 37th Avenue.

This year, I decided to visit Romeo's Restaurant, an Italian restaurant in Jackson Heights. For $45, I was able to enjoy an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. After looking at the regular menu prices, I knew I was getting a much better deal. More importantly, it gave me the chance to experience a nice Italian dinner without worrying too much about the cost.

Easy to Reach by Subway

Romeo's Restaurant is located at 74-27 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. If you're taking public transportation, getting here is simple. Take the E, F, M, R, or 7 train to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue Station. From there, it's only about a five-minute walk to the restaurant. If you've been to Jackson Diner Indian Cuisine, Romeo's is only a short walk from there.

A Nice Place for a Date Night

As soon as I walked inside, I could tell Romeo's was different from many restaurants I've visited in Queens. The dining room has a warm and elegant feel without being too formal. It isn't flashy, but everything feels clean, comfortable, and well put together. I think this is the kind of restaurant that's perfect for a date night, an anniversary, or even a quiet dinner with family.

Elegant dining room interior of Romeo's Restaurant with white tablecloths, wooden chairs, exposed ceiling beams, a large chandelier, and a colorful painted mural on the back wall.
The warm, beautifully decorated dining room is perfect for a date night.

Even if you're dining alone, it's a nice place to sit down, relax, and enjoy a good meal. During my visit, the restaurant wasn't too crowded, so it felt peaceful and easy to enjoy the evening.

Friendly Service from Start to Finish

The service was exactly what I expected from a fine dining restaurant. The staff were polite, welcoming, and attentive throughout the meal. Not long after I sat down, they brought complimentary bread and butter while I waited for my appetizer.

A black wire basket containing thick slices of crusty Italian white bread served with gold foil-wrapped Land O Lakes butter pats on a small white dish.
Complimentary warm Italian bread served right after sitting down.

The bread was warm and fresh, and it's always a nice touch when restaurants serve something small before the meal. Little things like that make the dining experience feel more special.

Fried Calamari: A Fresh Start

For my appetizer, I ordered the Fried Calamari. Calamari is made from squid that's lightly breaded and fried until crispy. It's one of the most popular appetizers you'll find at Italian restaurants. The calamari at Romeo's was cooked really well. The outside was crispy without being greasy, while the squid inside stayed tender instead of becoming chewy.

A white plate piled high with golden, crispy fried calamari rings and tentacles, served with a lemon wedge and a metal boat of red marinara sauce.
A generous and crispy portion of Fried Calamari with marinara dipping sauce.

It was served with a classic tomato marinara sauce, which added a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. The portion was also much larger than I expected. Sometimes appetizers can be disappointingly small, but that wasn't the case here. This was definitely a dish worth ordering, especially if you're sharing with someone.

Melanzane Alla Parmigiana Was My Favorite

For my main course, I chose the Melanzane Alla Parmigiana, also known as Eggplant Parmesan. If you've never had it before, it's made with slices of eggplant layered with tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and melted mozzarella before being baked until everything is hot and bubbly.

A large oval plate holding a thick portion of baked Eggplant Parmesan covered in a layer of melted mozzarella and tomato sauce, with a side plate of spaghetti in the background.
The Melanzane Alla Parmigiana came out perfectly hot, bubbly, and rich.

I really enjoyed this dish. The eggplant was soft without becoming mushy, and I loved the melted mozzarella cheese covering the top. The tomato sauce added plenty of flavor without overpowering the eggplant itself.

A close-up view of a metal fork lifting a layered bite of tender, soft baked eggplant coated in rich marinara sauce.
Every bite of the eggplant stayed perfectly tender instead of turning mushy.

What surprised me the most was that it also came with a side of spaghetti. The pasta was simple, but sometimes simple is exactly what you need. It paired perfectly with the rich flavors of the Eggplant Parmesan and made the meal even more filling. Out of everything I ordered, this was easily my favorite dish.

A white plate holding a side portion of spaghetti pasta tossed in a bright red tomato sauce and topped with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
The side of spaghetti was a simple yet perfect accompaniment to the main course.

Chocolate Soufflé: The Perfect Way to End the Meal

After finishing my main course, it was time for dessert. I chose the Chocolate Soufflé, and I'm glad I did. The soufflé was served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The presentation was beautiful, featuring the restaurant's name written directly onto the plate in chocolate syrup drizzle.

A dessert plate featuring a round, warm chocolate soufflé dusted with powdered sugar alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, with 'Romeo' written elegantly in chocolate drizzle.
The stunning presentation of the Chocolate Soufflé with vanilla ice cream.

As soon as I cut into it, the warm chocolate inside slowly flowed out. The chocolate was rich and moist without being too sweet. What I enjoyed the most was the vanilla ice cream. It had a strong vanilla flavor that blended really well with the warm chocolate. Taking a bite of the warm soufflé together with the cold ice cream made for a great combination. It was the perfect way to end the meal.

Restaurant Week Made This Dinner Worth It

One of the biggest reasons I decided to visit Romeo's was NYC Restaurant Week. I enjoy trying new restaurants, but I also try to be careful with how much I spend. Fine dining restaurants can get expensive, especially if you're ordering several courses. Restaurant Week gave me the chance to enjoy the same dining experience while spending less than I normally would.

The dishes I ordered usually cost:

  • Fried Calamari – $19.95
  • Melanzane Alla Parmigiana – $22.95
  • Chocolate Soufflé – $9.95

If I ordered those separately, the total would have been $52.85 before tax and tip. Instead, I paid $45 for the three-course Restaurant Week menu. The savings weren't huge, but that's not really the point. For me, Restaurant Week is about finally trying restaurants that I might skip because of the regular prices. It lets me enjoy a nice meal without feeling like I'm spending too much. That's exactly what made this visit to Romeo's feel worthwhile.

Was It Worth It?

For me, yes. The food was delicious, the portions were generous, and the service was exactly what I'd expect from a fine dining restaurant. I also liked that I didn't feel rushed during the meal. Everything was served at a comfortable pace, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the experience. Whether you're celebrating something special or simply want to treat yourself, I think Romeo's is a great place to do it.

My Honest Thoughts

I really enjoyed my dinner at Romeo's Restaurant. The fried calamari was fresh and crispy, making it a great appetizer to share. The Melanzane Alla Parmigiana was easily my favorite dish. The eggplant was tender, the melted mozzarella added plenty of flavor, and the side of spaghetti made the meal even more satisfying. To finish everything off, the Chocolate Soufflé with vanilla ice cream was an excellent dessert.

I honestly don't have any complaints about the food or the service. Sometimes it's hard to find a restaurant where every course is enjoyable, but Romeo's delivered from start to finish.

Would I Come Back?

Absolutely. There are still several dishes on the menu that I'd like to try, especially their ravioli and some of their other pasta dishes. Now that I've had such a good first experience, I'd definitely come back even outside of Restaurant Week if I wanted to treat myself to a nice Italian dinner.

Final Verdict

If you're looking for a nice Italian restaurant in Jackson Heights, I think Romeo's Restaurant is definitely worth visiting. The restaurant has a comfortable fine dining atmosphere that's perfect for a date night, celebrating a special occasion, or even enjoying a quiet dinner by yourself. The food was fresh, the portions were generous, and the service made the experience even better.

If you happen to visit during NYC Restaurant Week, it's an even better value because you can enjoy a three-course meal for less than you would normally pay. If it's your first visit, I'd recommend ordering the Fried Calamari, Melanzane Alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan), and the Chocolate Soufflé. Those were all excellent, and I'd happily order them again.

Restaurant Information

FeatureDetails
RestaurantRomeo's Restaurant
Address74-27 37th Ave, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
CuisineItalian
Price Range$$$ (Fine Dining / Expensive)
Restaurant Week MenuThree-course dinner for $45
Nearest SubwayJackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue Station (E, F, M, R, 7 trains)
Walking TimeAbout 5 minutes
Perfect ForDate nights, anniversaries, special occasions, or a relaxing solo dinner
My Favorite DishMelanzane Alla Parmigiana (Eggplant Parmesan)
Would I Return?Yes, to try the ravioli and pasta menu next time

Note: Restaurant Week menus, prices, and regular menu items may change from year to year. If you're planning to visit during Restaurant Week, it's a good idea to check the latest menu before you go.

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