The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Roma Italian Restaurant Thursday, September 8th, at 3pm. The event was held at their location at 3 President Drive in Dover. Chamber members and friends joined owners Joe & Kristin Garramone, and their team, to celebrate their 50th Anniversary!
From its humble beginnings as a casual pizzeria to the full-service upscale experience it offers today, Roma Italian Restaurant has become part of the fabric of Central Delaware. Today, the restaurant is a premier, special occasion, white linen eatery that has continued to earn various awards and accolades. The incredible tale of this restaurant began with a small-town man from Southern Italy, Giuseppe Garramone, who, after saving for two years for his passage, moved to New York with $8.25 in his pocket to develop his culinary skills as a chef. After 16 years of honing his craft, he brought his passion for the culinary arts to Central Delaware. He came to Dover and obtained his restaurant license in 1972. In 1973, Roma was opened as a pizzeria, housed in the center room of today’s restaurant. Sadly, Giuseppe Garramone passed away in 2020. He will be remembered for building his own brand, his mentorship, and his recipes, which will be passed down from generation to generation and strictly kept in the family. Chef Garramone always aimed for the excellence and authenticity that are best described in his own words, “You’re only as good as your last meal!”
In 1999, the operation of Roma Italian Restaurant was handed over to son, Joseph Garramone, who has been working in the kitchen since he was 10 years old. With his father’s drive and blessing, Joe focused on maintaining the quality of food and service that built the Roma name. Keeping with the tradition his father started, Joe Jr. was ready to add his own mark on the company. He teamed up with long-time industry professional and wife Kristin, and the two have added their own twist to the restaurant. Part of that twist was the addition of the Sul Tempo Cocktail Lounge, which opened in 2015. This was Dover’s First Cocktail Lounge. The bar placed an emphasis on house fusions, boutique cocktails, small plates, and craft beers. The refined aesthetic of the facility was nothing that Dover had seen before. The stone veneer and upscale décor of the restaurant and lounge are designed to make guests feel at home, even part of Roma’s extended family.
Roma Restaurant and Sul Tempo Cocktail Lounge offer customers’ classic Italian favorites such as parmigiana, lasagna, stuffed shells, française, and picatta, as well as new twists on other Italian favorites. Guests can be assured that their meals are freshly made to order with authentic, in-season, ingredients. Check out their menu online at https://romadover.com/menu to be sure to find a dish to delight your tastebuds!
Joe, Kristin, and the Roma Italian Restaurant team are excited to continue evolving as they serve their beloved Central Delaware community, and the CDCC can’t wait to see what the next 50 years of Roma Italian Restaurant will bring to Kent County! Congratulations to Joe and Kristin Garramone on achieving this incredible milestone and thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you! To learn more about Roma Italian Restaurant, feel free to visit them on the web www.romadover.com or give them a call at 302-678-1041. Please join the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce in congratulating the Roma Italian Restaurant team on their 50th Anniversary! We wish you all the best as you embark on the next 50!
