Copa Room

On 07/07/07, I chose the Copa Room for my birthday dinner and I have to say I picked a winner. We had heard good things about this restaurant and they were all pretty much true. The place is small and it filled up the night we were there, so reservations are probably good on the weekend. The service was good, the food for the most part was great and the ambiance is nice. Typically they have live music, but I overheard the table next to us say the singer had called in sick.

Dan and I both started off with a nice cold Peroni ($4.50), our beer of choice when eating Italian food. We ordered the Sicilian Tomato Salad ($8.50) for a starter and there plenty for us to split. The salad consisted of nice fresh, sliced tomatoes with red onion, basil, garlic, fresh mozzarella and a wonderful balsamic vinaigrette. This was by far one of the best salads I have ever ordered!

I ordered a glass of the Ruffino Chianti ($6) and Dan ordered the Castle Rock Pinot Noir ($8), and we agreed that the Chianti was much better. You get a house salad or Caesar salad with your entree. I chose the house salad and was disappointed in it. It was swimming in the dressing and everything seemed limp and soggy. The Caesar was not much better, way too much anchovy for my taste. I think you should get just the essence of anchovy , not a mouthful of fish flavored lettuce.

I ordered the Frank, Dean and Sammy Combo ($18.95) so that I could get a taste of some of their different dishes. You get a nice helping of Chicken Spiedini, Nani's Lasagna and creamy penne Alfredo. The Alfredo was the best I have ever eaten out, very creamy, thick and garlicky, the lasagna was very good(not as good as my Mom's) and the spiedini was also very good, but I think I like Cascone's the best. Dan ordered the Lasagna ($15.95) with sausage and a meatball. Again the lasagna is very good and the red sauce is just the way I like it, sweet and garlicky. The meatball was okay, but mine are better.

For dessert I ordered the Spumoni Cake at the advise of the waitress and it was wonderful, a layer each of pistachio, chocolate and cherry cake in a nice fluffy white icing. Dan ordered the cheesecake and did not like it. I on the other hand loved it. It was light and creamy and he likes his more dense. I ordered a Espresso Martini with my dessert and at $10 it was a little overpriced. It was a blend of vanilla vodka, Kahlua, dark creme de coca and coffee.

I would definitely go back and recommend it to others. They are located at 3421 Broadway, KCMO 64111, 816-931-5200, www.coparoomkc.com .