Pull some strings for a taste of Roma's Onion Loaf

Roma Italian Restaurant is more than a pizza shop.

Tucked between La Prima Roma Ristorante and CJ's Bar and Grille in Emmerling Plaza, Indiana Township, Roma offers an upscale menu for lunch. The restaurant has an elegant ambiance and a menu that matches.

Roma, which occupies space that once housed the Pirate's Cove, has added some specialty dishes to the menu.

We were delighted to find that one of our favorites, the awesome Onion Loaf ($6.95), was still available. A huge mound of thinly sliced onions dredged in flour and fried in a loaf pan immediately caught our eye. We took turns pulling strings of the crispy onion from the solid loaf. The loaf came with ranch dressing for dipping.

We ordered a Specialty Pizza ($14.95 for an eight-cut) with spinach and artichoke. If you enjoy creamy spinach-and-artichoke dip, you'll love this pizza version. Think spinach-and-artichoke dip atop a soft, yielding crust topped with romano, provolone and mozzarella cheeses. It's so filling we could manage only one slice.

The Steak Salad ($9.95) included a wonderful mix of greens, grape tomatoes, pepperoncini, green pepper rings, shredded carrots, black olives, cheese, a healthy toss of fries on top and bites of savory steak, tender not tough. We had it with Roma's homemade Italian dressing.

We also ordered the BBQ Pulled Pork sandwich but settled for the Breaded Atlantic Cod sandwich ($7.95) when we were informed that they were out of pulled pork. The fish sandwich featured a large piece of breaded cod on a smaller, hoagie-style bun. Potato chips were served alongside the sandwich.

The Turkey Reuben ($6.95) earned high marks, too. Instead of corned beef, the sandwich featured turkey breast, thousand island dressing and sauerkraut between slices of grilled rye bread.

Compiled by Rebecca Killian, Sis Reola and guests. Meals are paid for by the Valley News Dispatch and are unrelated to advertising.

Additional Information:

Roma Italian Restaurant

Address: Emmerling Plaza, Route 910, Indiana Township

Phone: 412-767-5885

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Sun.

Credit cards: Accepted

Smoking: No

Handicapped-accessible: Yes

Prices: Appetizers, $4.95-$10.95; salads, $1.50-$9.95; sandwiches, $5.95-$8.95; pizza, $5.95-$20