NYC Dining: Roberto

Roberto Restaurant
603 Crescent Avenue, Bronx NY 10458
718-733-9503

Web Site: http://www.usmenuguide.com/Robertos.htm

Rachel and I have been dining at Roberto for many years now, so much that it has become part of our Arthur Avenue “routine” — Shop at the Retail Market for specialty items, hit Teitel Brothers for bulk goods, go buy bread (and cannoli) at Madonia, grab some raw clams at Cosenza’s, hit the Cheese Shop, and then go have dinner — EARLY! — at Roberto. Notice that I emphasize the “Early” part. The restaurant gets into full swing at around 6PM, and unless you get there by 5:30 or so, you’re going to have to wait a bit for a table. It is by far the most fine dining of the Italian American restaurants in the Belmont area, and I think it compares quite favorably with some of the very best Italian choices in Manhattan.

Storefront on Crescent Avenue.

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Roberto has a pretty comprehensive bar. This bartender looks pretty ominous. I guess I’ll have to remember not to point a camera at him next time.

Some nice wines by the glass here. I went for the chianti classico.

The list of main dishes — don’t worry, there’s a huge list of specials every night as well, which the servers have diligently memorized.

The restaurant has a classic but intimate trattoria atmosphere, accented by rustic farmhouse furniture and brick.

One of the dishes that Roberto specializes in is different variations on “Al Cartoccio“ which is pasta baked in an aluminum foil wrapper. This is a simple fresh radiatore pasta with pesto, fresh tomato and parmigiano, which we ordered as an appetizer to share.

This appears to be a veal chop with a rich gravy that another customer ordered.

Another customer’s chicken cutlet dish.

This was a Shrimp and Pesto saute appetizer which I ordered as my main dish in a double portion.

Rachel’s fish and shellfish dish.

My brother got pan seared rabbit with broccoli rabe.