Well known as one of Scotland’s very best Italian restaurants, Trattoria Roma in Johnstone is still on the ascent after scooping a number of prestigious accolades at the recent Scottish Italian Awards, writes Nan Spowart.

FROM the outside it may look fairly unassuming, but the modest exterior of Trattoria Roma hides a jewel in Scotland’s culinary crown.

While those who don’t know about it may be intrigued to discover that one of the country’s best trattorias is in a Renfrewshire town, it comes as no surprise for the regular customers who regard it as a Johnstone institution.

Their reaction to the slew of gongs the restaurant has just won at this year’s Scottish Italian Awards is that they are very well deserved.

As well as picking up the award for Best Family Friendly Restaurant at the glittering event, Trattoria Roma was also given highly recommended status in the Best Restaurant Manager category and Best Trattoria category, after winning the title outright last year.

The Best Family Friendly award comes after being highly recommended last year. It is not difficult to understand why, as many customers have been dining regularly at the trattoria for years and celebrate all their big family occasions at the restaurant where they are always greeted by a smile from the friendly staff.

Children are welcome, with a special menu to give them a taste of the popular Trattoria Roma fare and there are colouring books to keep them entertained.

Christmas Day is sold out every year and people come for christenings, birthdays, graduation and engagement celebrations, as well as their Christmas parties.

Owner Indrit Mataj, who also manages the restaurant, has worked there for 19 years after starting as a waiter when he was just 17-years-old. He met his wife, Anisa, when she started working there as a waitress and the couple’s little boy, Arlo, makes a regular appearance.

“I grew up here and most of our staff have worked here for quite some time,” said Mr Mataj. “I’ve actually watched as customers got married and had children and one such couple’s daughter now works here one day a week.”

The staff firmly believe it is their job to ensure the whole family enjoy their visit to the restaurant. “If our staff look after the wee ones and they’re happy, then we’re happy too,” said Mr Mataj.

“It feels absolutely amazing to win Best Family Friendly restaurant.”

Glasgow Times:

Although Mr Mataj was highly recommended in the Best Manager award, he is keen to share the credit of the success of the restaurant with his 15-strong team, particularly Eddie Marire who has worked at Roma for 25 years and is now a manager. Both his sons – Omar and Adam – now work there too.

Credit also goes to head chef, Jamie Lapsley, who has 15 years of experience and has been with Roma for six. Popular dishes at the 65 seat restaurant are the best seller, Penne Mia Casa, a delicious concoction with chicken and broccoli, as well as classics like spaghetti carbonara and pizzas from the stone oven.

As it is the festive season, there is a special Christmas Dinner pizza on the menu with turkey, bacon and stuffing. Prices are competitive and there is a daily lunch deal on offer seven days a week, as well as a set menu - at the moment it is a festive one - to complement the a la carte.

Due to the family friendly atmosphere, customers come back repeatedly, with many coming from all over Renfrewshire and beyond. Situated in Johnstone High Street it’s just a five minute walk from the train station, meaning Glasgow Central can be reached in 15 minutes.

Mr Mataj is especially grateful to Eufemio Perella who gave him the chance to run the restaurant when he was just 22-years-old.

He now also owns Little Roma in Irvine, Rustico coffee shop and cafe in the Mount Vernon area of Glasgow and oversaw the launch of Roma To Go in Linwood and Trattoria Genova in Paisley.

Genova was named after chef Bruno Menoni who previously worked at Roma and is now retired. An amazing chef,  he was so popular with customers that they even used to pop in to check he was working.  He came from Genova in Italy, and also used to have his own restaurant called after his home town. The current Genova team still follow his recipes.

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