Romano's New Mediterranean Menu Items

Romano’s Macaroni Grill has introduced fresh, simple and authentic recipes in its new Italian Mediterranean menu. The new selections offer guests both something tasty to eat and nutritional responsibility with lower calories.

Eggplant Parmesan

Sausage Salentino

Seafood Linguine. Photos: courtesy of Roman’s Macaroni Grill.

The restaurant’s new vision is inspired by the vibrant way of life and cooking along the Italian Mediterranean coast, featuring the finest ingredients such as imported artisan pasta, vine-ripened tomatoes, colorful vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemons, select seafood, grilled meats and fresh, fragrant Italian herbs.

The Mediterranean style of cooking has been around for centuries. Randy Schoch, Romano’s Hawaii Franchisee and Chief Executive of Desert Island Restaurants said, “The freshness of our new recipes is exciting and the new menu has been enthusiastically received by our guests.”

This Mediterranean style of cooking is featured in seven new recipes and fourteen improved recipes that deliver on consumers’ taste expectations while simultaneously providing nutritional responsibility. Calories have been reduced from 25 percent to 65 percent in the fourteen improved recipes, while saturated fat grams have been reduced by more than 70 percent in five popular menu items. Consumers who have tasted the new dishes prefer several of the improved recipes over two times more than the previous versions.

Improved recipes include Scallops & Spinach Salad, Shrimp Portofino and Seafood Linguine.

The seven new recipes that have been added to the menu are:

• Roasted Vegetables (Antipasti)
• Grilled Chicken Spiedini
• Jumbo Shrimp Spiedini
• Sausage Salentino
• Pollo Caprese
• Lobster Spaghetti
• Simple Lemon Pound Cake

Shrimp Portofino, improved recipe. Images courtesy of Romano’s Macaroni Grill.	Pollo Caprese, new recipe	Lobster Spaghetti, new recipe

The entire menu evolution inspired by the Italian Mediterranean style of cooking is expected to be completed by Summer 2010. Changes will include additional new menu items as well as improved recipes for signature Romano’s Macaroni Grill specialties.

One of Romano’s specialty cocktails, the Leaning Bellini. Photo: courtesy of Romano’s Macaroni Grill.

Last month, Romano’s Macaroni Grill also launched a new happy hour concept at its Ala Moana location featuring a variety of drink and appetizer specials, daily from 4:00pm until 7:00pm.

The Happy Hour features $3 Beer Specials, $3 House Wines by the glass and $5 Cocktail Specials.

Executive Chef Michael Longworth is also offering $5 appetizer specials including signature items such as Mio Pizzas, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms, Shrimp and Artichoke Dip, Mozzarella Fritta and Calamari Fritta during Happy Hour.

Call 808-356-8300 for reservations, restaurant details or more information.