Italy has given us many wondrous things. Opera, Ferrari, Michelangelo, Prada and, of course, leading Italian restaurant, Roberto’s. A favourite on the Dubai food scene, Roberto’s has taken the magic created in Dubai and re-planted it on the culinary curious shores of Abu Dhabi. Perfectly placed within the luxurious, waterfront Rosewood hotel, world-class interior designer Paul Bishop has chosen an open-style kitchen and white-marble crudo bar with a seafood display so impressive you could be at an aquarium.
Balancing the legacy of the Dubai restaurant with the challenge of creating something new, the menu offers a mixture of Roberto’s classics alongside exclusive signature dishes made in Abu Dhabi. Executive chef Francesco Guarracino experiments with some pretty bold flavours and creations of his own. Beetroot meets gorgonzola in the risotto while wagyu beef is teamed with matcha tea. Yes, you read that right, beef and tea. Guarracino says of these choices, “We are keen on respecting traditions while implementing resolutely modern techniques and unexpected alliances in taste.”
Some dishes from Roberto’s advisor chef Enrico Bartolini make a welcome appearance, including the half-fried, half-raw Sicilian prawn and tamarind dish he is famous for. Another clear menu highlight is the polpo, cacio e pepe, e carciofi – slow cooked octopus with fresh artichoke, topped with a creamy pecorino cheese and black pepper sauce.
Inspired by Italy, born in Dubai and now refined in Abu Dhabi, it’s this constant evolution that makes Roberto’s a must-try fusion menu for anyone in or visiting the area.
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Roberto’s, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, The Galleria on Al Maryah Island. robertos.ae
