Bringing a bit of Bologna to Brickfields, Roberto's has launched its third and latest restaurant, promising authentic Italian attractions in NU Sentral.
This is one of the most charming eateries surrounding KL Sentral - a casual, comfortable space with warm wood tones, an open kitchen and both air-conditioned and alfresco seating.
Roberto's promises genuine Italian hospitality and homeliness - its founder, Roberto Guiati, spearheads many of the Klang Valley's top Italian establishments. His brother, Paolo, is director of operations, while executive pizza chef Ciro Bozzoli oversees the ovens across Roberto's outposts in Bangsar Shopping Centre, Tropicana Gardens Mall and NU Sentral.
Fun fact: All three men hail from Italy's northern region of Emilia-Romagna, renowned for its rich gastronomy - Emilia-Romagna is the birthplace of prized Italian ingredients, from ham to cheese to vinegar, from Parmigiano Reggiano to aceto balsamico di Modena.
Sit down at Roberto's for a pork-free lunch or dinner of tagliolini and tortellacci, or check out the takeout counter for a fast, fuss-free snack.
Experience traditional pleasures like piadina (Emilia-Romagna's flatbread, served here with rustic stuffings), panzerotti (resembling fried calzones), pizzas by the slice as well as whole, plus fresh-baked focaccia sandwiches and much more.
Chill out with genuine Italian wines, beers and cocktails - Roberto's is the rare spot in this neighbourhood where patrons can sip on a Bellini, Negroni or Aperol spritz while watching the world waltz by.
It might seem surprising to see three Italians helming a restaurant in Brickfields, but their passion, personality and prowess ensure an enthusiastic experience at this welcoming venue!
Start with the Piadina Rustica (RM38), a hard-to-find speciality in KL.
Warm and comforting, the flatbread is layered with chicken breast, garlic spinach and mozzarella for a savoury, scrumptious chew, bringing together bread, meat, vegetables and cheese in beautifully balanced fashion, soulful and hearty with mushroom cream and fries.
Beloved as street food, piadina embodies the essence of Emilia-Romagna - the Italian poet Giovanni Pascoli once wrote that "nothing speaks more of Romagna than this bread of ours - it is a symbol that speaks of devotion to our land."
Roberto's kitchen hand-rolls the dough for all its delights, from the piadina to the panzerotti, so patrons can be assured of fresh, fulfilling flavours and full-bodied textures.
Roberto's also explores other regional classics like Apulia's addictive Panzerotti (RM16) - golden deep-fried pockets of dough, gently crisp to the bite, generously packed with turkey ham, tomato sauce and mozzarella.
Regulars can constantly discover something different at Roberto's, such as a rotating selection of foccacia sandwiches, including this Caprese lined with mozzarella, basil and tomatoes - a wholesome meal on the move.
While Roberto's is well-known for its wide repertoire of whole pizzas, this NU Sentral branch also whips up a convenient grab-and-go treat for the office crowd - pizzas by the slice (RM12), with classic topping choices such as Diavola, Romana, Capricciosa or Vegetariana.
For a light starter, try the aromatic Arancini (RM12) - Roberto's does one of our favourite versions of the breadcrumbed Sicilian rice balls - and the Fish Cake (RM12), made with a real-fish mix of barramundi and cod.
For the main meal, Roberto's recommends Seafood Ragu’ Rigatoni (RM38), showcasing the Roman tube-shaped pasta, swimming with squid, prawns and barramundi ragout, luscious and lip-smacking with cherry tomato sauce to combine the natural sweetness of sea and land.
Roberto's risotto is consistently popular across its locations. The Wild Mushroom and Gorgonzola Risotto (RM40) is impeccably prepared, featuring firm-grained arborio rice, creamy and punchy with gorgonzola cheese and wild mushroom ragout.
Roberto's also proves an Italian restaurant can make a marvellous burger - Roberto’s Beef Burger (RM48, with fries and tartar sauce) is a bestseller for its chunky, house-made beef patty, thick and triumphant with mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, gherkins, caramelised red onions and romaine lettuce in sesame buns. Sure to satisfy burger cravings.
There's no lack of desserts, with panna cotta, gelato and more. But the Homemade Tiramisu (RM28) wins our top vote - fluffy and airy, melting in the mouth with the sumptuousness of mascarpone, coffee and cocoa.
Come for Roberto's food, stay for the drinks - after a long day at work, unwind with the thoughtful range of wine (the Riff organic Pinot Grigio is lively and fruit-forward, representing Veneto's limestone foothill vineyards of the Dolomites), Birra Moretti beer (brewed in a generations-old Italian style since 1859), time-honoured cocktails like the Negroni, plus premium gin and tonics. Limoncello, amaretto and grappa are also available.
Non-alcoholic beverage highlights include the Roberto power juice of apple, carrot, orange and pineapple; the Frappe’Alla Vaniglia Italian-style milkshake that blends vanilla gelato with fresh milk, crowned with strawberries, marshmallows and whipping cream; and of course, true Italian espresso and other caffeinated refreshments.
Roberto’s
LG-26, NU Sentral, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
Daily, 11am-11pm.
