Decadent Italian fare at Roberto's

Roberto’s has taken the old-world appeal of Italian fare coupled with the romance of Sinatra-esque music, to a whole other level. Walk into the newest addition to the chic DIFC culinary circuit and it becomes clear there’s nothing quite like Roberto’s anywhere. Airy bright with the ambience of a buzzing and refined eatery, I brushed down my skirt and straightened my back upon entering, despite suddenly feeling completely at ease.

My date and I were ushered into a cosy nook and fussed over just the right amount. A divine basket of bread presented itself on our table which I happily chomped on while devouring the divinely expansive menu. Always the carpaccio fan, my appetiser was just that – the Manzo – beef carpaccio, wild rocket, parmesan cheese, mosaico mushrooms
and grated horseradish in lemon oil. My date’s Insalata Del Mare, a mouth-watering medley of lobster, sea scallops, shrimp, calamari, octopus and black mussels, was even better than the impressive carpaccio.

Not many Italian eateries offer a mushroom and lobster risotto; it’s either mushroom or seafood. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Roberto’s empathised with a mushroom and a seafood fan and delectably included both in a fragrant, albeit extremely buttery and rich risotto. Despite the fact that I loved the additional butter I confess I could have done with a tad less. My date’s Salmone was simply delicious – light, fresh and moist, it was miraculous that the fish melted the way it did on my tongue (of course, I happily helped myself to her food too). Dessert, always my favourite part of an Iftar, was perfect. Warm, creamy Tiramisù and Fondente (a rich and gooey chocolat fondant it was for us). The latter especially, with a side of yuzu jelly, raspberry sorbet and lemon thyme, was the perfect ending to a decadent Iftar.