The recently opened pizzeria and deli store in Market-Place is overlooked by most, probably because many don't know that it exists. It is hidden by Café Aubergine (of the same owners), along the walkway towards the back. However, it is well worth a visit, not just for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but also for those of you who wish to buy some interesting and easy-to-prepare provisions in order to dine at home.

Although it's a bit expensive, you'd be hard pressed to find such fine-quality items in your local supermarket. The wide array include white truffle oil, truffle butter, delicious European cheese, dried cherries and pears, gourmet liver patés and sausages, and breads to bake from frozen. They even have a wide selection of wines that range from $1,500 to over $12,000.

I've had a small wander in there several times, and realised that I could make quite a feast chez moi with what they have to offer, so I returned to splurge on a plethora of goodies.

Back at the ranch (well not quite, but I love that expression), I felt unhealthily indulgent with my purchases. But it was worth every 'fat' morsel. One can buy real French bread at Roma. All you have to do is turn your oven to 400F, pop the frozen 'partially baked' loaf on to the rack, and 15 to 20 minutes later, you'll have the most perfectly thin baguette (reminiscent of my past times in Paris), crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. What a treat to be had with duck liver and chicken fat mousse as hors d'oeuvres. The latter is similar in make-up and taste to a paté with its gamey flavours and hint of alcohol, but it was wonderfully light in texture.

Gammon, gammon ...

Next up was main the course. I rarely get to eat smoked pork chops, and these were quite a treat. I had 'marinated' them in spoons full of Roma's aubergine caviar, some olive oil, a little fresh mint which I grow in my garden, and freshly ground black pepper. I placed them into a baking dish, tightly sitting next to each other, covered with foil, and baked at 350F for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, I cooked a pack of Roma's big tube pasta and mixed in more of the aubergine caviar (that was also spread on the bread beforehand). The subtle smoky aroma with the smooth consistency, teamed up beautifully with the baguette, pasta and pork. As for the chops ... well sah! Gammon, gammon, gammon ... come on, get out there now and buy some!

In true French style, we went straight on to the cheese course. Gruyere is one of my favourites, and I am proud to say that I enjoyed a large chunk of it. I did save some, grated it and mixed it in with the pasta, olive oil and black pepper for lunch the next day. Wow! The truffle brie not so much ... it was bitterly disappointing and not worth the dosh I spent on it. Oh well.

My sweet spot

I cautioned a little restraint during this dinner by not organising any dessert. One hardly needs to add more animal products to the mix! A couple dried Calimyrna figs hit my sweet spot. It might seem like a strange and ungenerous thing to offer over a pie or ice cream, but these figs are huge and filling, not to mention interesting to the bite.

So the next time you're wondering where to entertain friends, family or clients, and with what, why not have a roam around Roma?

Roma Pizzeria & Deli Store, Market Place, Constant Spring Road, Kingston, telephone: 754-1865. Opening Hours: 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. seven days a week. Look to spend: $490 on two smoked pork chops, $170 on a pound of pasta, $130 on a baguette, $180-$600 on various 4-oz cheeses and patés, $460 on Calimyrna figs.