Sunny Italy In A Dish

If there’s one vegetable under the sun that many non meat-eaters turn to time and time again, it’s eggplant (it’s actually a berry no, really!). Round or long, purple, white and even striped, its subtle flavor is the perfect foil for highly spiced or sauceladen dishes, and it shines in many dishes where meat is typically in the spotlight.

So when it comes to Italian food, what’s the dish that comes to mind when many of us think of eggplant?

Eggplant Parmigiana, or parmigiana di melanzane, is a classic dish from Italy that’s thought to have originated in the sunny city of Naples.

At Romano’s Macaroni Grill, executive chef Michael Longworth takes pride in serving the finest Italian cuisine, and for his version of Eggplant Parmigiana, fresh eggplant is pan-seared with a delicate crust, baked with tomato sauce and mozzarella and served atop a bed of freshly cooked spaghetti ($14.99).

Don’t do dairy? Guests also can make their own pasta creations from a wide array of meats, vegetables, sauces and pasta a bright idea that makes life so much easier for vegetarians.

If your Italian meal just wouldn’t be complete without a glass of vino, Romano’s premium wine list offers a variety of wines to choose from to complement your dish.

Going for lunch? Take advantage of Romano’s Roma Lunch Menu Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eggplant Parmigiana is one of the signature items and is specially priced at $11.59.

Or just call ahead. With the restaurant’s curbside-delivery service, you don’t even have to get out of your car to take a taste trip to sunny Italy.

Contact Terri Hefner at diningout@staradvertiser.com

Romano’s Macaroni Grill