New Roman-Inspired Restaurant Coming to Delray

DELRAY BEACH, FL — Roma in the Grove, a Rome-inspired Italian restaurant from longtime restaurateur and builder Jack Mancini, is targeting an opening within the next 60 to 90 days at 309-311 NE 2nd Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33444, he told Business Debut. The restaurant will open in Delray Beach’s Pineapple Grove district, just north of Atlantic Avenue.

“My motto now is ‘Jack is back in Delray,’” Mancini said, noting this will be his return to the market after previously operating Mancini’s Delray on Atlantic Avenue.

What to Expect

Roma in the Grove is planned as a full-service restaurant and bar with about 120 seats, including 13 to 14 bar stools. Mancini said the team is also pursuing permits for sidewalk seating that could add another 20 to 30 outdoor seats.

The interior will feature concrete floors, velvet red banquettes, distinctive wallpaper, and exposed ceilings for an edgy, modern look. Mancini described it as a trendy, design-forward space suited to Delray Beach’s active dining scene.

Menu and Vision

Mancini said Roma in the Grove will focus on dishes inspired by Rome, Italy, with an emphasis on artisanal handmade pastas and refined plating. “We are doing Roma, Rome Italy-inspired dishes that are well known in the city, very upscale, with a lot of artisanal handmade pastas,” he told Business Debut.

The menu will highlight Rome’s four classic pasta dishes: Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara, Griglia, and Amatriciana, along with additional Roman specialties. A thin, crispy pizza program, modeled after Roman-style pies, is also planned.

Roma in the Grove will offer an extensive Italian wine list, a full bar, and a martini program similar to those at Mancini’s previous Las Olas restaurants, where a dedicated martini menu was a draw. Executive chef William Franco, a longtime collaborator of Mancini’s from his Fort Lauderdale restaurants, will lead the kitchen after relocating from Rhode Island.

Heritage and Inspiration

Mancini said the restaurant’s name pays tribute to his father, who was born and raised in Rome. He noted that bringing a Roman-focused concept to Delray Beach is a personal project connected to his family’s roots. “My father was born in Rome, and this is where I got the name Roma,” he told Business Debut.

He described the restaurant as a way of honoring that heritage while showcasing the dishes and style of cooking he grew up around.

Opening Timeline

Construction has been underway for several months. Mancini said the team expects to open within the next 60 to 90 days, targeting late January or early February, with a soft opening for locals once staffing and recipe testing are in place.

Hours

Hours are still being finalized. Mancini expects to open daily at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and remain open through dinner, likely around 11 p.m., with the possibility of later bar hours on weekends, potentially including a DJ.

Follow for More

An official website and social media channels for Roma in the Grove are still in development and will be announced closer to opening.

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