Mmmmm.... appetizers! at Roberto's. October 2013
Italian in Dubai
Before Eataly opened a branch in Dubai, I craved some authentic Italian fare. Internet searches pointed to Roberto's in the Dubai International Financial Center near the massive "Gate" building. MWK and I took the metro there and found the place. At first we were rebuffed because it was fine dining (nowhere on its website did it indicate a dress code) and apparently we were under-dressed (we were never slovenly in Dubai - MWK would not have permitted it!). I was insistent because such ridiculousness pisses me off. We were going for lunch and we were reasonably dressed in "oh so casual" (especially for men) Dubai. The whole place wreaked of snobbery. That made me INSIST on being seated.
Roberto’s is the richest and most refined creation of Skelmore Hospitality Group. At Roberto’s, the ambiance of European luxury, palate-enlightening cuisine, polished service, and a world-renowned wine list culminate in a modern Italian dining experience unlike any other. Our world-class team blends an admirably Roman devotion to food with Venetian hospitality and Milanese flair resulting in a unique and homegrown reinterpretation of Italian cuisine that we are proud to share with our city.
https://robertosrestaurants.com/dubai/about-us/
After a manager was called, we were seated in a mostly empty restaurant. Clearly our lack of fine dining wear was not going to put off non-existent fellow diners. The menu was punishingly expensive, but I didn't care. I was making a point and I wanted some decent Italian food after a few months of university cafeteria food in Abha. MWK was aghast at the prices and I told him to relax. After all, I had a newly-minted Saudi credit card that was aching to be used. We ordered apps and pasta with some pinot grigio. It all tasted fabulous (for that price I expected no less). It was MWK's first time to eat real Italian food and he loved it. We laughed a lot and took many photos. He even kept the receipt to show to his friends how much we spent on lunch alone. "Uncle, they will never believe me unless I show them proof". I didn't care really.
I give MWK credit. For a guy who grew up simple and sheltered in Peshawar, Pakistan, he was extremely food adventurous. I don't think he ever turned down a chance to try something new on all our adventures in Dubai. Some foods were less well-received than others, but who is going to love EVERYTHING? In that way, he was the best companion on vacation - he was up for anything and loved everything we did. I have had other friends from similar backgrounds who were the exact opposite - unless we ate their local food, they simply didn't want it. My Singapore Tamilian bestie, MP, was exactly like that. I wondered how one could go through life with such a limited range of food? Apparently every country has the equivalent of "meat and potatoes" people.
I would never recommend Roberto's to anyone only because of the needlessly high prices. The food was excellent, but it was basic Italian fare. I wonder how they have survived the arrival of Eataly which serves better food with a lot less attitude (and more cheaply in spite of being in Dubai Mall)? The experience, however, was memorable because of the strangeness of it. I ate many, many meals in Dubai, but Roberto's sticks out mainly due to its unusual intersection of events.
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