MACARONI GRILL, Good Dinner Better LUNCH!!
Written: Nov 03 '03 (Updated May 31 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Varied menu with good food and prices especially at lunch time.
Cons: There is a wait most evenings. No reservations.
The Bottom Line: Macaroni Grill has been a favorite of my family for years. I like that there are always the "usuals" yet they have an ever changing menu.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Romano's Macaroni Grill |
The Macaroni Grill is a family favorite. My wife and I have gone many times as a couple, with our family and with friends. We live just seven or eight minutes away from the Westbury, Long Island, NY location. It is nestled between sister eateries of Chili's and Cozy Mel's. These are two other places we go to from time to time.
ARRIVAL
The trio share a large parking lot. On busy nights parking is at a premium. I usually drop off the party so they can get our name on the waiting list,while I go and park the car. Afternoons are no problem. Many open tables are ready for your dining pleasure. You can also get some good values at that time.
The building has a stone facade with an arched front doorway. It has, what I think of as, a Tuscan feel to it. We enter and pass refrigerator cases with fresh meats and vegetables. Along the path to the desk are cases upon cases of wines.
Looking in at the open room restaurant you see it is divides left and right by a center counter dressed with flowers and dessert samples. The walls are all stone and strings of light bulbs hang above the tables as if on an outdoor feast location.
The gray concrete floor has tables, booths, and wooden chairs filling the available space. The tables are not too closely set and there is ample room to walk from area to area between them. Each table has heavy vinyl liner with a sheet of white butcher paper on top.
On one wall is the open kitchen where you can see the chef and cooks doing all their work. I like being able to see what they do and how it's done. The kitchen area is clean!
Near the entrance is a small bar area that seat perhaps ten persons. The two TVs above the bar capture mostly sports events. There is no conflict between sounds of the TVs and the music that is played in the restaurant. That music is a mix of opera, traditional Italian music, Sinatra, and other easy listening contemporary music. It is loud enough to hear yet does not interfere with conversation. If fact the restaurant is mercifully free of clanging table ware and crashing plates. It is a bit noisier near the kitchen area.
Usual Experience
Upon arrival, if there is a wait, you are given a pager. Most nights we expect to wait about fifteen minutes. Once we are brought to our tables we are seated and told the name of the waitperson who will be serving us. Shortly thereafter, that person comes to the table, picks up one of the three or four crayons on the table and writes their name on the table. Some have writing mirror images of their name down to an art. They write backward and upside down as well as most do it the proper way. The crayons are left on the table to doodle or whatever. My wife, being an artist, sometimes draws something that it fit for a wall decor, but alas, into the trash it always goes.
Menus are given out, drinks are asked for, and shortly thereafter a loaf of bread with a crispy Rosemary laced crust and soft warm inside is set at the table. Along with this a small plate is filled with extra virgin olive oil, and a turn or two from a pepper mill makes it complete. Some add salt, and vinegar is available if you like. This is what they refer to as "Italian Butter". Regular butter must be asked for if that is what you prefer. The wait staff are quick to bring more bread if you like and the bottle of olive oil is left on your table.
WINES
Being an Italian restaurant they have to have wines. The wine lists about thirty five Italian, Austrian, Californian, and Washington selections by the glass or bottle. For those to whom it matters they have a little note on the wine menu page."To expedite service we opened bottled wine at the bar".
In the Macaroni grill you can drink wine by having one of their house wines brought to the table and poured by you on an honor system. At the end of the meal you simply tell them how many glasses you have had. They used to put the huge bottles on the tables. Now it is a smaller one. I asked why and they stated "so the wine is always fresher".
Another unusual offering is the discovery wines. They offer three glasses of a little over two ounces each of three different wines. It costs $5.95 The wines change from time to time. The last sampler offering was Beringer Founder's Estate Pinot Noir This was light and fruity. I happened to like it with my dinner choice. The Dunnewood Cabernet Sauvignon was much more full bodied as was the Ravenswood Vinters Blend Zinfandel that was a bit smoother than the Cabernet Sauvignon.
My wife orders the Macaroni Grill's Italian Margarita. I'm not sure of all they put in it but I can say that, ever since she tried one that is all she ever orders when we go there. They also have some other "special" house drinks like the Leaning Belini
The MENU
The menu has many items from when we first started coming to the Grill. There are also marked "family recipes". It is a sort of leaf next to the items. I have found all those, I have tried, to be excellent. If in doubt on what to order go with their family recipes. The menu is also ever changing. New items can be found most every month or so. They are always worth a try.
Much of their menu has the Italian name of the item first. Most of the waiters pronounce the words flawlessly. You can try or simply use the simple English translation that follows on the menu. I used all the spelling as they noted it, on their menu, in this review.
ANTIPASTI
They have about ten items priced $7-$10. Bruschetta, Mozzarella alla Caprese, Bella Napoli, Calamari Fritti, and much more are offered. They are given in a decent size portion. This big guy says that most are sharable.
They have a great deal on a sampler dish at $10.00. It's Romano's Sampler. You get two nice sized pieces of Grilled Pepperoni Bread, Calamari, Fried Mozzarella, and Stuffed fried Olives. They are served with a side of marinara and aioli sauce. This is a tasty and very filling plate. Four can share it!
The Grilled Pepperoni Bread can be served on its own at $5.99. It is very good. The bread is grilled to a nice crispiness and the cheeses inside of provolone and mozzarella are piping hot with a nice amount of Pepperoni in the pocket.
Mussels are also on the appetizer menu. I never tried them 1/2 dozen mussels at $6.99 are too high priced for me.
PIZZA & CALZONETTOS
They have a few different Wood fired pizzas available. The family recipe BBQ Chicken Pizza is a winner.
I have never tried their calzones. Someday maybe, there are just too many other items on the menu.
INSALATA
Here again are the traditionals mixed in with the new. We usually have the Caesar Salad that comes with the entree for an additional dollar and change at lunch time. They also have a blue cheese and a Spinach and Garlic Salad. There salads are good, but nothing out of the ordinary.
The menu now features a New item Grilled Tenderloin Salad Tender cuts of beef tenderloin on baby arugala, spinach, radicchio, bacon and blue cheese with creamy Italian Dressing and a drizzle of balsamic honey glaze. This looked and sounded like a winner at $12.49.
PASTA
A new favorite of mine at the Grill is the "Create Your Own" At lunch time this pasta dish is $7.99 and a great value. When you ask for this one they give you a check off sheet. It has
Four Pastas Penna, Fettuccine, Bowtie, and Spaghetti. Pick one.
Eight Sauces Roasted Garlic Cream (House specialty), Bolognese (Meat Sauce), Tomato Basil (Classic Red sauce), Alfredo (Parmesan Cream sauce), Aglio Olio (Spicy Garlic and olive oil), Asiago Cream (Italian White cheese), Arrabbiata (Spicy Red Sauce), Tomato Cream (Guest Favorite) Pick One
TWELVE add ins Roasted Garlic cloves, Diced tomatoes, Sundried Tomatoes, Diced red Onions, Sliced Black Olives, Fresh Broccoli, Sliced Artichokes, Sliced Mushrooms, Fresh Spinach, Chopped Green Onions, Roasted Red Peppers, Pine Nuts Pick up to Three
For those who care. My last signature dish was Fetticcine with Roasted Garlic Cream, Fresh Spinach, and Pine nuts. Though you may not want to talk to me in person for a while, I must say it is a perfect combination of flavors and textures. The servings are a satisfying size. On that note I will say that a couple of years after the Macaroni Grill was established in town the portions got smaller. There must have been an outcry of sorts because they are now a good size again.
You can get this create your own dish I had along with a $1.29 Caesar salad or $1.49 Garden salad. I think that's a really good lunch value.
There are many other pasta dishes that are already created for you. I have often eyed the Lobster Ravioli and Torteloni Bianchi featured lunches. There are over twenty other pastas to order too.
PESCE & POLLAME, Fish and Chicken and more
Many Lobster, shrimp, salmon and other fish dishes are on the menu. Again they have the family recipes or new items like SHRIMP DIAVOLO Sautéed shrimp, garlic, fresh basil and linguine pasta tossed in a spicy tomato sauce. This is $12.99
Many other traditional dishes are available. You can try Mama's Trio Three Italian favorites: Lasagna Chicken Cannelloni and Chicken Parmigiano This is also $12.99
For a light, well priced and good value lunch you can try the Tuscan Lunch Choose any of the following half Calzonetto sandwiches- Chicken Caesar, Portobello Mushroom and Pepper, Italian BLT or Italian Roast Beef and Cheese. Compliment it with your choice of house salad, soup or pasta salad Only $6.29
DESSERTS
If you still have room after all you have had then try one of their dozen or so desserts. The NY Cheese cake is always good but the Tiramisu is to die for!! Excellent! Most desserts go for about five bucks.
Coffees, espresso and the like are all available as is a full bar of after dinner drinks.
Just a bit more to say
The rest rooms are clean. The men's room was all black tiles with red grout. I also noticed the last time in there that I was listening to a tape giving Italian Lessons.
On leaving the restaurant they have huge bowls of mints, peppermint and spearmint. I suppose its for those like me who happen to enjoy a good doze of garlic in their food.
You can make the Macaroni Grill a quick inexpensive place to eat or an enjoyable full dining experience. Just about every time we have been to the Macaroni Grill one of the waiters has jumped up onto the middle divider and sang some opera for a few tables. Dining is totally unpretentious, delicious, and reasonably priced if you prefer. We have found lunch to be a good deal and no long lines at that time either.
Long Island So much to see and do
Borrelli's Italian Restaurant Just ten minutes from the Macaroni Grill in East Meadow
On Freeport's Nautical Mile
Rachel's Waterside Grill
Cafe By the Sea Dining and wonderful desserts. Some fun entertainment too!
Otto's Sea Grill Fine dining or partying on the canal
Ralph's Famous Italian IcesThey are on Freeport's Nautical Mile and elsewhere across the Island
Montana's Italian in Freeport, live singing too!!
More chain eateries by popsrocks
Applebee's / Romano's MACARONI GRILL / KFC / OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE / Wendy's / OUTBACK Restaurant / Cozymel's / Cheesecake Factory / McDonald's / Taco Bell / Checkers Burgers / Red Lobster / The White Castle / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Burger King / Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips / Dunkin' Donuts / Starbucks / Ralph's Famous Ices / Cold Stone Creamery / CARVEL Ice Cream / Boulder Creek Steakhouse / Waffle House / Krispy Kreme / Friendly's / Nathan's / Jillian's / Blimpies / Quizno's / jumba juice / Baskin Robbins
NYC eats
Tavern on the Green A romantic restaurant in Central Park / Stardust DinerA great place for before a show in Times Square. Aspiring actors are here / Osteria Stella A great find in the Times Square area / The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show. / ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, and MORE! / TGI Friday's Times Square Location. / Pig'n'Whistle, a great Times Square Pub / Ollies, Broadway / Osteria Stella Fine Northern Italian in Times Square / Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem / Fraunce's Tavern Lower Manhattan. GW ate here. / Katz's Deli A NYC landmark
Recommended:
Yes
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