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The ROI Reviews List
The ROI
The ROI is a 21st-century restaurant where the food is hot and the music is cool. The creative cuisine of Chef Paul Shire is served daily in this friendly urban restaurant. Enjoy lunch or dinner, where modern-day comfort food is always on the menu in comfortable surroundings. The atmosphere is casual and laid back, perfect for unwinding. The fun scene heats up later in the evening with live music and a state-of-the-art electronics system. At the sleek bar, sip a fashionable martini or one of our other specialty drinks. Whether you're out on your own or with a crowd, The ROI is where you want to be for the best part of your day or night.
See more The ROI details
45 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Rating Breakdown 45 reviews
5 stars
(18)
4 stars
(24)
3 stars
(3)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- good for groups(23)
- late-night find(21)
- neighborhood gem(21)
- fit for foodies(18)
- romantic(17)
- vibrant bar scene(15)
The ROI Reviews List
Review 1 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Fun night out with the girls.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Fun night out with the girls. Food and white wine were good. We all agreed Sangria was lacking...there was no fruit in it either!! Our waitress didn't smile all night and rarely checked in on us, so that was disappointing. Otherwise, we would still return, its a cute spot."
Dined on 04/05/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 2 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great find!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Stumbled across this great little restaurant as we needed a place close to a bar we were heading to later to hear a band. Had never heard of it but it was great. They had a live jazz band which was great. Service was perfect as was the food. I don't live in the area, but will recommend it to family and friend's who do live in RI!"
Dined on 03/30/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food, great service.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great food, great service. I found this fairly-new restaurant on OpenTable when I was looking for a place to eat on Saturday. I'm glad I happened upon it...we'll definitely go back."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, hot spot
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Review 4 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great combination of food
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great combination of food and jazz. Billy, our server, was very attentive and friendly. Can't wait for a return visit!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 5 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great at adapting for GLUTEN FREE
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"I have not been able to have RI calimari for years due to celiac disease. When I saw that they do them with corn meal I was very excited. They normally use a little flour mixed in but the chef was able to do them with only cornmeal for me and they were EXCELLENT! i have been back twice just for calimari. Our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable about gluten free needs and the rest of our meal was also excellent.."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great Find!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The reservation process through Open table was extremely easy and modifiable.
The food and service was very good. I have been to the Roi multiple times and haven't experienced anything but great food and service. The live entertainment choices has also been enjoyable."
The food and service was very good. I have been to the Roi multiple times and haven't experienced anything but great food and service. The live entertainment choices has also been enjoyable."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2006
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Review 7 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
The restaurant is an excellent
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The restaurant is an excellent place for dining and music. The Jazz band was lively but not not so loud as to drown dinner conversation. The ambiance was friendly and comfortable. The special - surf and turf - was extremely well prepared. So was the grilled chicken entree. The service was well-timed and friendly. We will definitely go back."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 8 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We found this restaurant by
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We found this restaurant by looking on the list of recommended establishments on the Providence Performing Arts Center (PPAC) website. Was a five minute walk to the PPAC from the Roi. Food was very good, we were there early so there was no crowd. Server was friendly and professional. Roi was also featured on TV Diner. Overall very pleased and would return as well as recommend. Try the Italian Sausage Rigatoni and the Maryland Crab Cakes......spicy but Yum!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, great for lunch
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Review 9 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I really enjoyed the experience
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I really enjoyed the experience the band(three piece jazz), the food was very good, well prepared, well plated. The atmosphere was beautiful. Thank you."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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Review 10 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Enjoy at the ROI.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A fabulous find within five minute walk to PPAC. Great restaurant/bar for before and after the show. Live jazz music was enjoyable."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find
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Review 11 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Good food. Good service. Reasonable
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Good food. Good service. Reasonable prices. Live music. All equals a great night with friends. Will be back soon."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 12 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great food, great service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great food, great service and topped off with some jazz. We went early to talk because once the music starts its all about listening to the music. On street parking is difficult, but this is Providence so parking is at a minimum."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: late-night find, hot spot
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Review 13 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
a secret place in Providence.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"a secret place in Providence. Amazing food and service!!!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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Review 14 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Give your review a title (optional)
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Came from Ma. and attended a show that evening at the Performing Arts Center....found the ROI listed on-line as near the theater and decided to give it a try. It's on a quiet street and at first I was wondering if I made the right choice. The street was a bit dark and seemed out of the way. But....we were greeted by a very friendly host....the service was great...and the food wonderful! From the calamari, to the pizza, filet mignon special to my chicken dish...we loved it all. Wished we had room for dessert! I have already recommended The ROI to a co-worker who lives in RI."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 15 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
nice music, good time, enjoyed
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"nice music, good time, enjoyed my dining experience"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2010
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, late-night find
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Review 16 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Overall the food was ok. My
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Overall the food was ok. My pasta was over cooked but my girlfriends steak was cooked perfectly. The live music was very nice and peaceful and the wine seemed like it would never end lol. Our waiter was very professional and knowledgeable of the menu and was a key reason for me enjoying this place. I would go back again and recommend it to others as well."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, late-night find, notable wine list, romantic
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Review 17 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great place. Perfect live
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great place. Perfect live music for Valentine's Day. We'll be back."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: romantic
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Review 18 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Return on Investment a great deal.
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"ROI is a great place to enjoy ambiance , delicious appetizers and food and some outstanding jazz (Great Band and singer Satrurday Night 2/2). The Chicken Parm ,Fillet and Losbster Ravioli was perfect, tender and overgenerous portions provide plenty to take home. The waiter was overwhelmed with the influx of new arrivals and admitted ROI was short staffed but the atmosphere and food was quick to come and made up for the slow bar service. Service from the Bar was slow but the Martini's were great.
Our party of 6 will be back with a party of 10 .
Pete Fontaine"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 19 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Was very busy and service
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Was very busy and service was not the fastest/ But the music was great and the food was great once we got it."
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion
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Review 20 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I'd go back to the Roi
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very impressed with first time at the Roi. The jazz was a nice touch, not too loud to be distrcting to conversation but just right to be nice ambiance. The general manager was very present and attentive. He seemed to be host but sure was around and making sure things were okay. My dish was excellent, meatloaf, and the nachos were good too. Not a huge mound of chips with nothing underneath but a nice order. We would go back. Cocktails were a nicer list than excecuted, I had two different ones, they were more than drinkable though."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2011
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Review 21 for The ROI
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Excellent service and food.
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Excellent service and food. Went during restaurant week so the prices were extremely good."
Dined on 01/26/2013
2013
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Ratings-Only Reviews for The ROI
Based on the average of (24) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
4.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic