Pizza Roma

What is it about a pizza joint? No matter where you go in the world, from Paris to Tonga, there’s something reassuring about pizza. Needless to say when you’re in Paris, you’re going to want to try out some traditional French fare, but it never ceases to amaze me the number of Americans we bump into when we drop into the Pizza Roma located just across the street from the Montparnasse train station.

This evening I asked a table of Americans why they had picked out this restaurant - out of the multitude - and they explained that they were tired - they had just arrived and their hotel (the Meridien) was just across the street.

I’d have to admit that our situation is often similar. When we arrive jet-lagged, we are not always inclined to wait until the traditional dinner hour which in Paris starts around 8 pm (or even more often 9 pm for Parisians who like to extend their cocktail hour).

Pizza Roma serves dinner early compared to many other restaurants. We’ve been dropping in for a number of years now, so we get a friendly ‘hello’ from some of the staff. I’ve noticed that with strictly English speaking clients, they seem to make a big effort to satisfy requests. Tonight, one woman asked in English for fresh basil (which is basilic in French).

The table of Americans next to us didn’t comment about their dishes, but we’ve been ecstatic about one of their more recent additions - a vegetarian antipasti dish of roasted peppers, zucchini and eggplant. Something nice to keep in mind for our vegetarian friends and family members when they come to town.

Other dishes worth trying are the aubergines au gratin and the Chef’s veal cutlets (called veal scallops on the menu). Portions on generous.

Pizza Roma
61 Avenue du Maine
75014
Metro: Montparnasse or Gaite
Tel. 01 43 20 11 85