2012's hottest restaurants
1 Comments 24 January 2012
Roberto’s
What’s the story?
Italian chef Roberto Rella is a true stalwart of the Dubai dining scene. Having been operations manager of beloved Italian venue BiCE for almost 10 years and part of the BiCE group the past 15, he’s now taking on the city’s dining scene himself. As well as taking its founder’s good name, Roberto’s will doubtless benefit from its location in DIFC – the undisputed focal point of Dubai’s flourishing dining scene. Can it go toe-to-toe with the likes of Gaucho, La Petite Maison, Zuma and Wheeler’s (see left)? Keep an eye on this space.
What’s on the menu?
Though Roberto is lending his name to the sign above the door, he won’t be in the kitchen. That honour will be left to executive chef Andrea Mugavero. With more than 25 years of experience in the likes of Marbella and Istanbul, Mugavero promises to bring something a little different to Dubai by introducing the region’s first ‘crudo’ (raw fish) bar, offering fresh Mediterranean seafood. Signature dishes will include grilled green asparagus with seared sea scallops and black truffle, lobster carpaccio with fresh artichoke in tempura and caviar dressing, and black-ink spaghetti with baby squid, red shrimps, fennel emulsion and orange-scented oil. ‘Also featured on Roberto’s menu are “free from” options, such as gluten-free pasta, in an effort to please the special needs of our guests,’ says Mugavero. ‘We’re even planning to introduce unique gelati flavours such as chocolate and Earl Grey, white truffle and Langhe hazelnut.’
When can we tuck in?
The venue is scheduled to open on Tuesday February 14, aka Valentine’s Day (assuming the alcohol licence is processed on time).
Why we’re excited…
We’ve made much of chefs Nick Alvis and Scott Price making a name for themselves by transforming Verre into independent venue Table 9, so it will be satisfying to see an independent restaurant in the heart of DIFC, alongside La Petite Maison et al.
