09/27/09

Hearty food and attentive service

by vagabondqueen

This is not shi-shi Manhattan restaurant food. Nor is it touristy Little Italy food slathered bread crumbs and oil. It's hearty, scrumptious Italian food in a cozy (even romantic) setting. I went for lunch on a weekday at opening (Noon), so no wait. The staff was very attentive.

I made the mistake of eating alone. The portions are just too big to do that. Go with a friend, or two or three, share an appetizer, and leave plenty of room for the main. Very home-style desert - go for the less usual. I had a sort of ricotta torte w/ grains, a savory sweet thing that was heaven with the espresso (oh so perfect).

• Pros: great service, delicious food, nice setting
• Cons: a touch pricey for Bronx

11/11/08

Italian Spoken Here

by contempler

We arrived early to make the first seating (no reservations here), and just beat the crowd. The waiter was helpful and curteous, advising my table that the regulars usually order one appetizer/pasta dish for each couple and then share. We enjoyed the Parmigana Di Melanzine and the Clams and Mussels in white wine w/ parsely and garlic (great for bread dipping) . The waiter helped select the wine (excellent recommendation) and never rushed our dinner order. The Lamb Shanks were incredibly tender (although the accompanying Truffle Risotto was overcooked). The suprising dissapointment was the vitello (veal) special of the evening, presented with a veal demi-glaze, covered w/ melted blue cheese, thin slices of ham, and roasted figs. Individually each of the topping items had a great taste...together they were just too much and made the dish heavy. The appetizers/pasta were so good that we'll go back again. Oh, and the desserts are homemade, and taste it.

• Pros: Authentic Italian, homemade pasta
• Cons: A Little Pricey, Street Parking (if you're lucky)

06/04/08

For a Friday afternoon lunch

by MrRight08

I thought Roberto's was just great. Went for a nice Friday afternoon lunch. Friendly, attentive service. Food was very good and prices were reasonable. Martini was perfect. Go at the right time, order the right thing, have a drink and relax. Be nice to the help and they will take care of you.

• Pros: great food, reasonable prices, good service
• Cons: no reservations

05/27/08

WORST PLACE EVER

by mrbronx

The WAIT was toooo long. The staff is miserable. Roberto rushed us through the meal, which was cold by the way. The prices were extremely high for barely edible food. When you wait at the bar, you get a ridiculous bill with hardly any liquor in your drink. By the way, I saw one of the waiters sneeze on his hand and then continue to serve food without a break. DISGUSTING. Don't bother to complain to Roberto. He has a mouth like a sewer and can't take criticism. I agree with the previous critics. OVERPRICED, RUDE and NOT WORTH THE WAIT!

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: RUDE, COLD FOOD, HIGH PRICE, NO PARKING

03/30/08

EXAGGERATED EXCELLENCE

by jenn0417

Roberto's is absolutely not the 3rd best Italian Restaurant in New York. It isn't horrible, but there are other Italian restaurants, even in New Jersey that are much better.

• Cons: LOCATION, PRICE, RUDE STAFF, LONG WAIT

07/15/07

Roberto's: Quality food in a lively setting.

by herbalist2

My wife and I have been coming to Arthur Ave. for years to shop for food/ wine/olive oil, as well as eating at Roberto's. In fact, we coordinate a shopping trip with a dinner at Roberto's. We have never had a problem with the food, the service, or with Roberto. Popular standards, creative interpretations, and specials for the evening are trademarks of this excellent restaurant. Every meal we have had has been well-prepared and there is an extensive wine list to explore. The wait staff has always been courteous, knowledgeable, and efficient. They always respect any particular request during the course of the meal. Pricey? Many factors can affect that claim. Yes, it can be a little noisy, yes, I wish they took reservations, and, yes, parking can (at certain times) offer a challenge. When you visit a very active neighborhood that is also a major attraction in NYC, you have to be a little flexible and understanding. Last night we had a wonderful two hour plus meal that , as always, met all of our expectations. We were never rushed and the service was attentive. Roberto came by to discuss a little of his cooking philosophy. And the Vino Nobile complemented the meal perfectly. I feel badly for those reviewers who were so angry and disappointed. Perhaps a change of venue is their next course.

• Pros: Excellent food. Extensive wine list. Range of Italian cuisine.
• Cons: Can be noisy. No reservations. Parking.

04/29/07

Not worth the wait

by elbabeny

I don't mind waiting but I don't know what the big deal is about this place...if your idea of a pleasant and satisfying experience is to be rushed thru your meal (when you are finally seated in cramped quarters), having your food tossed at you by the worst waitstaff I have ever come across , being unable to have any type of conversation because once you get your order you're rushed thru it and the noise level is beyond explanation...then by all means go to Roberto's. Again, the service was beyond words and the food only adequate.

• Pros: none
• Cons: service, long wait, parking

04/28/07

Roberto is a rude, thoughtless and foul-mouthed man

by papapapanewguy

I am a very big on customer service when I go to restaurants. I have a lot of clients and I take them all out to dinner. I went to Roberto's only because one of my clients like to go because it was close to his work place. It was only a matter of time before Roberto and his miserable staff turned him off. He treated us like we were the bums on the street when his high profile clients were in town. He was rushing us out of the restaurant because they needed to be seated. This was after we waited to be seated and the food came out late. It also came out cold. He then drops the bill on our table in the middle of eating. To top pit off, there was a "little creature" in the meal and he didn't even want to deal with it. He became nervous, offended and quickly wanted us out of the restaurant. If you DON'T want to be treated like a bum on the street and get COLD FOOD...DON'T go to Roberto's. Thanks for readiing and good luck.

• Pros: None
• Cons: RUDE SERVICE, COLD FOOD, HARD TO PARK, ROBERTO IS RUDE

03/12/07

What's the big deal ???????

by nycis4me

So.....the big deal must be the hype and the long wait. Food OK, service eh, ambiance not bad. Not worth the effort. Stick to Manhattan.

• Cons: Out of the way, sketchy neighborhood, they don't take reservations, long wait

03/01/07

If you like to wait forever for below average food and horrible service, this is the place for you (but not for me)

by maruzella

Dining is one of my favorite pastimes and I do so regularly, particularly in all boroughs of New York City and in many regions of Italy. I have been to Roberto's several times during the course of the last 15 years or so and since my first dining experience there I have not wavered in my opinion. I find the food barely average, the service below average, the prices above average and the crudeness of the owner, Roberto, intolerable. I have often vowed never to go back only to be swayed by friends who have heard of Roberto's and have wanted to try a restaurant in the "Little Italy" section of the Bronx. After my recent very unpleasant experience there, I will never be swayed to eat at Roberto's again. It is extremely disappointing when you've been insulted by the owner of a restaurant after waiting nearly two hours for a table. After hearing similar horror stories as well as having been a victim myself, I come to the conclusion that Roberto is rude and ignorant and not deserving of anyone's patronage. I could not, in good conscience, recommend Roberto's to anyone; in fact I feel it is my civic duty to warn people of the way he ruined our evening and then handed us a very hefty bill. DO NOT EAT AT ROBERTO'S RESTAURANT ! There are many other pleasant restaurants in Little Italy of the Bronx where you get get a nice meal at a reasonable price and where the owner will appreciate your business. He should not be rewarded with having good people spend their good money in his crappy little restaurant. YOU CAN DO MUCH BETTER AND WILL BE MUCH HAPPIER ELSEWHERE.

• Pros: It wasn't the last supper ( Thank God ! )
• Cons: Everything !