Roman Roots By Susan Salaz

Leave your preconceptions of Italian food at the door when you visit Ristorante Roma. It’s here that chef/owner Raffaele D’Eusebio departs from standard spaghetti and meatballs in order to elevate classic recipes from Rome, his beloved hometown.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. But more importantly, eat as the Romans do. It’s easy at Ristorante Roma, where Raffaele D’Eusebio (who grew up in the Eternal City) is happy to be your guide. “You don’t have to go to Rome to enjoy that experience,” he says. “Our guests can have exactly the same experience—handcrafted food from scratch, right here in Carmel.” With a passion for his homeland and years of guidance in the kitchen from his mother and grandmother, Raffaele seeks to bring the authentic flavors of Rome to his guests with his fresh and seasonal menu. “This is a specific cuisine with specific recipes from the area of Rome where I am from,” says the young chef. Basically, there’s Italian food and then there’s Roman food—Ristorante Roma is the latter, shedding the broad expectations that many Italian restaurants maintain.  


Here, the pasta is made fresh daily and served al dente. The vegetables rotate with the seasons. And each sauce is simmered and stirred with love. The coursed menu includes traditional antipasti, insalate, pasta, and secondi options that lean on fresh ingredients and simple yet creative techniques to produce layers of abundant flavor. A specialty section reveals Raffaele’s signature dishes—his twist on Roman originals that includes lamb lollipops, a mushroom carbonara, and cacciatore with filet mignon. And of course, no Italian meal would be complete without a glass of wine. Ristorante Roma offers an exceptional wine list highlighting many family-owned wineries and boutique labels. “We have an extensive list of limited selection wines,” says Raffaele, adding that he spends a lot of time finding, researching and curating a wine list that complements the rest of the restaurant and menu. 
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When Raffaele and his wife Alessia purchased Ristorante Roma from a family member in 2020, they knew they were in for a challenge. They rose to the occasion and have made it their own, but admit the learning curve that came with starting a new business in a new country at the beginning of the Covid pandemic was steep at times. “But it’s definitely been a lot of fun,” Raffaele expresses. “Every day there is something new to do.” Despite the demands, the D’Eusebios have tasted success and are thrilled about their new location in the Carmel Arts & Design District. Natural light, brick walls and warm accents make the modern dining room feel comfortably elegant. With a welcoming atmosphere, impeccable service and delicious food, there’s no need to travel all the way to Italy for an authentic experience.
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Find discerning Italian flavors from the city of Rome at the new Ristorante Roma location at 89 Veterans Way in the heart of the Carmel Arts & Design District. For more information visit ristoranteromaindy.com and follow @ristorante.roma.indy on Instagram.