MCGAHEYSVILLE — For almost 20 years, Romano’s Italian Bistro in McGaheysville has been serving Southern Italian cuisine.
The restaurant, which opened in October 2005, has been owned by Rosario Alfieri since 2007.
Alfieri, who is originally from Naples, came to the United States in 1999 and moved to the Shenandoah Valley because he had relatives in the area, and he has been living in the region ever since. He said he enjoys living in the Valley.
“It’s very nice,” he said. “I like the mountains.”
Alfieri, who is from Southern Italy, says that one of the differences between Northern and Southern Italian cuisine is the type of sauces they use.
“[In] Southern Italian food, the prevalence is more like the red sauce,” he said. “[In] Northern Italy, they cook more with the white sauce.”
Some of the restaurant’s most popular foods are lasagna and veal parmesan, and his favorite is chicken alfredo. Alfieri also likes the restaurant’s pizza.
“I can eat the pizza every day,” he said. “I do eat the pizza every day almost.”
The Margherita pizza is especially popular. It is topped with fresh mozzarella, fresh tomato, basil, extra virgin oil, sauce, and cheese.
Alfieri said that one thing that sets his food apart is the ingredients he uses.
“I use quality ingredients,” he said.
Another thing that he said sets his food apart is that many items are prepared in-house, including the meatballs, the alfredo, and the tomato sauce. He also makes his own sausage.
“We pretty much make everything from scratch,” he said.
In addition to some of the meats and sauces, Alfieri also makes the restaurant’s chocolate mousse himself.
Alfieri, who has been working in the restaurant business for a long time, says he tries to keep up to date on his skills.
“You can always learn new stuff,” said Alfieri, 47. “There is always something new out there.”
In addition to updating his skills, Alfieri has adapted to a changing restaurant climate that relies heavily on delivery and takeout.
He said that the delivery and takeout side of the business is increasing more than the dine-in side. However, the dine-in side of the restaurant still gets busy at certain times of the year, such as during weekends, holidays, spring, summer, and winter breaks.
“[People don’t go out to eat the way they used to. I see more that takeout and delivery is increasing,” he said.
Alfieri offers the option to order takeout and delivery by phone and online.
“People, especially the younger generation, they don’t want to call,” he said.
The restaurant has a delivery driver that delivers within a 6-mile radius, including Massanutten Resort.
“I have my own delivery driver,” he said. “I feel like you have more control when you do it yourself.”
After a day at the resort, Alfieri said that many people don’t want to get ready and go out to eat.
“People are skiing,” he said. “They are tired, go home, they don’t want to change clothes. They call for delivery.”
He said delivery and takeout are essential for restaurants, especially since the pandemic in 2020.
“If you don’t do it, I think that you’re kind of behind,” he said.
Romano’s used to be located behind the Thunderbird Cafe but moved to a bigger location across from Hank’s Grille & Catering in 2019.
The new location has more outdoor seating, which was helpful during COVID.
“People wanted to be outside,” he said. “It was great. Definitely, that helped a lot.”
Alfieri said that Romano’s authenticity sets it apart from some competitors.
“You have some Italian restaurants here, but I don’t think it’s any Italian. I’m one of the few who actually are from Italy and working in Italian restaurants,” he said.
Customers such as Larry Davis. 73, and Shirley Davis, 69, of Elkton, who come to the restaurant a couple times a month, say they appreciate the restaurant’s food and atmosphere.
Shirley said she enjoys the spaghetti with sausage because “it’s just great.”
Larry Davis says he enjoys that the restaurant has both “good food” and a “good atmosphere.”
Romano’s, which is located at 40 New Hope Road in McGaheysville, is open Monday through Saturday. For more information on dine-in, takeout and delivery hours, call (540) 289-5770 or see the restaurant’s website at romanositalianbistro.com.