Romeow Cat Bistrot in Rome, review of the well-known vegan restaurant

Rome it is a city full of cats, poor in vegan restaurants (apart from notable exceptions), let alone cat cafés. You know those themed bars where the main attraction is interacting with domestic cats? Here you are. Romeow Cat Bistro, vegan restaurant in the Ostiense area, manages to go beyond the basic concept of a Japanese-style neko bar and offer a remarkable gastronomic experience, beyond the cats. For goodness sake, we would never do without irresistible faces, and perhaps this is precisely the secret of success.

At first glance we could classify Romeow in the “extravagant restaurants” section. And in fact it has already been done, with considerable media coverage: in 2015 Romeow did it winner of the very first edition of 4 restaurants right in this category. But there is much more: imaginative, tasty and attention to detail cuisine, careful and non-trivial ingredients and combinations, intense flavors that take a swipe at the vegan = bland stereotype. Here she is Romeow reviewfrom the environment to the menu to the prices.

Environment

Refrain from allergies. Romeow is the kingdom of cats, free to walk around you and if necessary even on the table, jump and rub or place yourself in your arms while you eat (as happened to me). If you don’t like it, avoid; if you are a cat lover or a fan, it will be the experience of a lifetime. The environment is entirely cat-friendly, as if to say that the passing pastime is us guests. Double doors to enter (in case anyone slips out) and then raised, suspended kennels, scratching posts, games and secret passages dot the rooms.

Romeow indeed It is spread over two floors: on the ground a large room with tables and chairs; above is a small lounge with bench and low tables. Small criticism for the arrangement upstairs: it’s a little hard to digest if you’re always leaning forward. I suggest adjusting the heights, using tatami, or reserving the space for more frugal meals such as snacks and aperitifs. Applause for the bathroom: colorful and clean, ok, but above all equipped with free and abundant feminine hygiene products. In 2024 it is the minimum, and everyone should follow an example. Well done.

It is at this precise moment that we forget about cats. The extensive and descriptive menu in fact immerses you in a dimension that, beyond the “vegan” label, is of haute vegetal cuisine. More than ideology, which is undoubtedly not lacking, one perceives a profound knowledge of the raw material (in many cases self-produced) and a wise use of techniques and combinations. However, don’t think of a nouvelle cuisine style: the dishes are based on Very plentiful. The inspiration is clearly fusion and enjoys re-interpreting Italian and Asian recipes.

In the face of so much choice, the initiative of the tasting menu at 60 euros. Six courses decided by the kitchen which, returning to the theme of abundance, are served at a half that is more like a three-quarter. Exceptionally, on request (at least it was like that for me) it is possible to choose one/two dishes from those included in the itinerary. So we eat, but we work with all the other senses: bright colors, textures to listen to under your teeth, dishes that are more satisfying when grasped with your fingers.

It’s worth savoring every bite slowly. So it’s a shame for the pace a little too fast of the service, but I give the benefit of the doubt to a slow evening (opening hours on Sunday) and the fact that I was alone. The time spent by the staff in explaining each course and answering any questions about the individual dishes was much appreciated. I close by remembering the daytime formulas or “Mood Menu” starting from 9 euros: combinations of one or more courses + drink from breakfast to snack, with cafeteria, aperitifs, sweet and savory pastries. After all, it must be remembered, we are in a cat café.

Dishes

Romeow-cymbals

Romeow’s dishes change with the season, but the basic ingredients and international flavor remain almost unchanged. You can find jackfruit, risotto, Korean tteokbokki, homemade tofu and seitan. Spring 2024 brings with it the pastel colors of broad beans and asparagus, Asian stir fry and a paradoxical rarity in many vegan cuisines in Italy: the mushrooms.

The widespread use of mushrooms in different varieties and consistencies would seem obvious as a protein source and meat imitation for taste and texture. But this is not the case, and from this point of view Romeow’s cuisine is virtuous and far-sighted. They appear in all courses: from the fried pleorotus of the appetizer (photo above) to the ragù of the gnocchi, up to the pulled shiitake (photo below) and wood ear sautéed with the tempeh of the second courses.

The adjective “classic” is an understatement to describe the more “familiar” dishes. From the risotto saffron and liquorice with pepper wafers, essential and elegant plating; with fava bean and “pecorino” ravioli, an extremely tasty, balanced and nutritious bite.

Creativity and aesthetics are given free rein on “hybrid” dishes such as the maki taco, but above all on sweets section that looks like it came out of a pastry lab. From the minimalist daily raw cake, to the matcha tea and raspberry fondant semifreddo, to the chocolate mousse cake. A very respectable pâtisserie, even more so if you consider the total absence of even the slightest trace of milk or eggs.

It’s no surprise that Romeow Cat Bistrot is considered the most well-known and appreciated vegan restaurant From Rome. There is the exquisitely Roman devotion for cats, the absolute quality which in this case also goes hand in hand with quantity and price, the charm of novelty (or rather innovation) in a Capitoline gastronomic jungle which, in terms of proposals plant-based, it looks more like a wasteland.

What makes it really special, however, is the ability to surprise, and I also get involved as I constantly browse vegan restaurants around Italy and the world. At Romeow the experience is remarkable, refined, fun, exceeding expectations. And to think that I came (almost) just for the cats.

Romeow-cat

Opinion

restaurants

Romeow Cat Bistrot presents itself as a restaurant for cat lovers, in reality its real strength lies in the careful and well-thought-out offer of haute vegetal cuisine. Aesthetics, combinations and above all flavors of the dishes offer a remarkable experience that goes beyond vegan and cat café.