Caffe RoM makes up for a dreary basement location with plenty of decorative panache: Walls pop with turquoise and coral hues, a lit-up menu broadcasts Italian-to-the-last-drop concoctions, and white, patent leather banquettes beckon suited coffee-breakers to sit for a spell. A magazine-strewn coffee table topped with a bouquet and a flat-screen television projecting scenes from the motherland puts a homey spin on the cafe.

Open from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, the cafe guides Prudential Plaza workers through a gastronomic experience that begins with "Morning Bliss," pauses midway through for a "Noon Delight" and ends with an "Afternoon Indulgence" (er, the aforementioned epithets being sections of the menu; not the author's attempt at poetry). With a menu that offers exotic-sounding espresso creations like the Nocciola, made with Nutella, condensed milk and espresso, and the orange-cream-infused Taormina, it's hard to settle for a coffee of the day.

A cooler stocks fruit-and-yogurt parfaits, Italian sodas and an assortment of pre-made salads like the walnut apple and the chicken Caesar. The sandwich menu focuses on panini, with selections ranging from the Jo Jo (made with prosciutto, fresh mozzarella and artichoke hearts) to the Centro chicken salad. A gelato bar stocks a tasty-looking array of pastel flavors like peach, passion fruit and mango.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jennifer Berg