The Colosseum Restaurant
| Address: | 264 N Broadway # 101, Salem, NH 03079, USA |
| Phone: | +1 603-898-1190 |
| Site: | thecolosseumrestaurant.com |
| Rating: | 3.7 |
| Working: | Closed 11:30AM–3PM 11:30AM–3PM 11:30AM–3PM 11:30AM–3PM 12–10:45PM 11:30AM–9:45PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 8
A
A Private User
I cant believe this place claims, on their menu no less, to be rated the "Best Italian Food in the World". Really? Best in the World? Really? Now, Ive never actually been to Italy, nor every Italian restaurant other than the Colosseum, but Id bet just about anything that this claim to fame might be a bit of an overstatement...but I digress. My husband and I recently found ourselves at the Colosseum for dinner (not my first choice but I was too hungry to wait over an hour at my favorite eating establishment down the street). We had eaten there 10 years earlier when we thought the Colosseum was "fancy"...now I know better, however, the owner has yet to catch up. The decor resembles something like my Grandmothers formal sitting room...in 1992. The owner was walking around to some larger groups of diners, preferably the ones that spoke Italian, shmoozing away...obnoxious. After being seated by the hostess/waitress (not sure exactly what her job was...multitasking, I guess), we were passed by several times by who I thought would be our waiter, not really sure because he never said a word to us. We munched on stale bread and crackers (at least the waterboy was attentive) for nearly 30 minutes. No "Sorry were really busy, well be with you shortly", no "Would you like something to drink?" Nothing. Frustration soon turned into anger and as soon as we left our booth to walk away hungry and tired, a flustered woman came around the corner to ask why were leaving?? "Why?" I said looking at her puzzled. Argh. I was dumbfounded by the lack of hospitality at this place given it thinks so highly of itself. Needless to say, I will never step foot in this place again and recommend anyone looking for an Italian spot to do the same.
NA
Nadia Ouhib
Great place! If you havent been by lately, the restaurant was renovated Summer/Fall 2012 and looks fantastic. Modern decor, open floor plan - great bar ;-) The sangria is delicious (awesome flavor but also packed with yummy fruits when the booze is gone) and on Thursdays they have $5 martinis at 5pm! The best part, however, was the food. Delicious. Homemade bread on every table to start (always a plus in my book). Ive had the Eggplant alla Romana - it is amazing (the only way I will eat eggplant, actually - normally dont like the veggie but this appetizer made me love it), the Chicken Francese (best Ive ever had and this is my FAVORITE dish so I order it everywhere and make it at home), the Cesar salad (its won awards. nuff said. I get it every time.), and the Limoncello! Did I mention this place makes it themselves? Tastes like a mix of eggnogg, lemon, and heaven. Dont leave without trying it. Thank me later. Also, if your dish comes with pasta, try the Pappardelle - this is their homemade pasta that comes in long thick strips and is the best pasta Ive ever had!!! The staff is friendly and the place is owned/managed by a great family. Why go to a chain or large scale Italian restaurant where you will get tasteless, middle of the road food when you have a great family restaurant in the area? BEATS ME!
HA
haha no
Strange restaurant. It was practically empty. More people working as waiters than there were customers. The chicken breast in my friends meal was raw on the inside, and not just a little, either. They took it back and recooked it, but didnt even offer to discount it until we complained about it when we got the check. The manager then did take it off of the check. Food was nothing special. Very average americanized Italian food. For a place that speaks so much about how they make their own pasta, very little of the pasta on their menu is homemade. When I went, they only had three varieties, and they were only on a handful of dishes without incurring an extra fee. Ambience was droll. Elevator music played softly in the background. It was clean but otherwise mediocre. Will not be returning.
A
A Private User
I have to disagree with everyone. Maybe years ago the Colusseum was delicious, but the last 2 times Ive gone there this year, the pasta was as rubbery as it gets and the desserts were awful - the 4 of us actually sent them all back and had them taken off the bill. The waitress was completely unsympathetic with the situation and I think was actually miffed at us for sending back crappy food. We tried 2 of their soups also at the bar for a quick bite...they were like flavored water. I am at this point DONE with the Colusseum Restaurant until they get better chefs. For great italian food, go to Trattatoria Amalfi in Salem - Ive never been disappointed since they opened. For small, cafe type atmosphere & huge family-size portions, go to Ralphies, another gem I recommend to anyone.
ED
Edward Decatur
Fifteen years ago a friend from Haverhill, MA recommended the Colosseum Restaurant and said it was THE best Italian restaurant he had ever been to. I dont know why, living in Nashua, NH, I never checked it out. Ive read a few negative reviews on this forum, but as Rick Nelson sang in "Garden Party", you cant please everyone. My friend of 15 years ago hit the nail on the head. Everything was unbelievably great. The appetizer, our meals and we even tried the lemon cake, because of a past reviewers comments, and it was superb. Our server was a young man named Chris who topped off our afternoon very nicely. I give this restaurant 5 EARNED stars - they deserve it. Thank you Colosseum management and staff for a wonderful dining experience. Like MacArthur - we will return.
ST
Stacey Condell-DeMinico
I will not return. I took clients out for lunch. We didnt see a couple of items that were not on the lunch menu and asked if they were available. Our server said "yes no problem" we thought great this is going be a good day....well the food was about a 5 out of 10 and the pricing almost made me fall off my chair. We were charged dinner prices without the complete dinner meal items. I spoke to the front desk woman which did not want to hear a thing I had to say and could not understand why I was questioning a lunch special price of a whopping $18.95 per plate. None of the staff is Italian and there is a bit of a communication gap. Their customer service skills was a 1 out of a 10. With all the dining options on Rt 28 I will never return to the Colosseum.
A
A Private User
I should have checked these reviews before going; after waiting over an hour and a half for what was suppose to be 15 minutes, we were finally seated, but only when we complained, which seems to be the way this place works. After waiting 45 minutes more for our food, we received the wrong food. Yeah, thats right the kitchen seems to be incapable, and made the wrong food. After waiting for the right food that was too burnt to taste, we received our check, which included the first food that was wrong! We were forced to wait longer for the whole situation to be sorted out, and the prices were still outrageous. But hey if your looking for a good way to be treated terrible, waste money, and upwards of four and a half hours, have at it. Otherwise AVOID!
NE
newmom newman
My husband took me to the Colosseum for dinner. It was excellent. The server was very nice and knowledgeable. she was right on time with everything. We had the Mozzarella en Carrozza and the Mussels alla Romana for apps, each was very nice. I had the Chicken Capricciosa, it was wonderful. the ziti was cooked perfectly and the chicken was so tender. Rick had the Veal Pizzaiola, he loved it. it had just the right amount of sherry and balanced with Garlic. We had an Italian cake for dessert. I didnt think I would ever be able to eat again. We shall return. Best Italian food in Salem and dare i say better than anything north of the North end of Boston.
