Pastas prepared with panache, pizzas that pack a punch and plenty of Italian pleasures powered by passion: Roberto's Osteria has opened its second outpost in Tropicana Gardens Mall, bringing its brand of indulgent Italian flavours from Bangsar to Petaling Jaya.
Blending a taste of Tuscany with the enchantment and excitement of Emilia-Romagna, this restaurant pays homage to the heritage of founder Roberto Guiati, serving hearty, soulful fare with a casual, cheerful charm.
Roberto's Osteria embraces the essence of Italy. Nearly two dozen pizzas populate the menu, from the classic Margherita to the creative sun-shaped Sole. From risotto to ravioli to rigatoni, linguine to lasagna, the cornerstones of Italian cuisine roar to life with flair and finesse.
Come for the slow-braised meatballs in puttanesca sauce, stay for the chocolate salami with crumbled walnuts and cookies: Roberto's is now our favourite restaurant in Tropicana Gardens Mall, where cravings for carpaccio, carbonara and cartoccio can be fulfilled.
Starters span everything from burrata to bruschetta, ensuring something for everyone.
Homemade Meat Balls (RM36) come highly recommended - these beef balls are luscious and lip-smacking, tender with a real-meat texture, flanked by toasted bread for extra crunch to soak up the tangy, tomato-saturated puttanesca sauce.
For a vegetarian-friendly plate, the Spinach Salad (RM38) springs up with the vibrance of a Florentine summer, colourfully compelling with baby spinach, cherry tomato confit, feta cheese, beetroot and walnuts, rounded out with the wholesome herbaceousness of basil pesto.
The Seafood Spaghetti (RM76) is our pick for pasta, channelling the ocean's robust richness, transporting a Mediterranean mood into Malaysia, tossed with a boat's bounty of tiger prawns, cuttlefish, clams, mussels and scallops, succulently slicked up with San Marzano tomato sauce and a crimson splash of chillies for mellow heat.
Also available are Penne Amatriciana, Seafood Ragu Rigatoni, Salmon Asparagus Tagliolini, Eggplant Ravioli, Pappardelle al Ragu, Gnocchi alla Sorrentina and more.
We'll happily relish a remarkable risotto - Roberto's Wild Mushrooms and Gorgonzola Risotto (RM48) meets the mark with firm, full-bodied arborio grains, confidently cooked for a creamy bite with gorgonzola and aromatic wild mushroom ragout. A timeless trattoria-style triumph.
Main courses include Seabass Cartoccio (RM68), with the filleted fish baked in a folded pouch to lock in its moist, steamy juiciness, complete with black olives, shallots, potatoes and cherry tomatoes for sweet, fragrant satisfaction.
Galletto al Forno (RM68) is another protein powerhouse - a whole spring chicken, glazed in honey and truffle for a nectarous earthiness, exactingly roasted to evoke the care of an Italian madre, plumply fleshy and meaty, cushioned with caponata of eggplant and capsicum.
Roberto's pizza list is long and tempting - we could easily return for a pizza lunch everyday for three weeks and still have a different pizza to try each time.
The Pizza Sole (RM68) is a standout signature, the star of the selection. This sun-shaped pizza is strikingly crafted, crowned with fresh burrata cheese that's soft and smooth, sliced tomatoes, rocket leaves, black olives, mozzarella, tomato sauce and shaved Grana Padano. A fun way to experience an excellent pizza in flamboyant fashion.
Save space for sweet sensations of semifreddo and salame!
Semifreddo al Mascarpone (RM28) is a chilled treat for hot days, cooling the palate with semi-frozen mascarpone cheesecake served with Amarena cherries, dried fruits, whipped cream and caramel. Salame al Cioccolato (RM26) will delight the young-at-heart with dark, decadent chocolate salami laced with crumbled walnuts and cookies, coupled with vanilla ice cream.
Smoothies, shakes and juices are all available, from the sinful Frappe’Alla Vaniglia (RM28; blended with vanilla gelato and fresh milk, heaped with strawberries, marshmallows and whipping cream) to the relatively virtuous Roberto (RM26; thick with fresh apples, carrots, orange and pineapple), plus a comprehensive range of coffee, cocktails and liqueurs.
Roberto’s Osteria
CC-39 & CC-K39, Tropicana Gardens Mall, Persiaran Surian, Tropicana Indah, Petaling Jaya, 47810 Selangor.
Daily, 11am-10pm. Tel: 017-980-4829
CC-39 & CC-K39, Tropicana Gardens Mall, Persiaran Surian, Tropicana Indah, Petaling Jaya, 47810 Selangor.
Daily, 11am-10pm. Tel: 017-980-4829