Brought my 6 year old and 3 year old there on a lazy Sunday evening dinner. Met with our waiter and waitress, Josh and Missy, who were so sweet to my kids. They welcomed me and my family with open arms, had great discussions with them, and ate a delicious meal of homemade stuffed mushrooms with crab meat, spicy diavolo and the buttered penne for the kiddos were amazing. Will definitely be back.
(5)
Kristian S.
I overlooked Roberto's for so many years-- but it has truly become one of my favorite go to spots when i am looking for Italian comfort food, amazing pasta, and one of the best bartenders in the business. It is a great spot to eat alone at the bar-- the friendly neighborhood crowd is very welcoming. My favorites are the eggplant parm bites appetizer and the homemade limoncello cake.
(4)
Cara T.
Roberto's is a gem in the midst of mediocre dining. Located in a small house, the dining room makes you feel cozy, like you are visiting someone's home for dinner. We stop in for special occasions. The servers are attentive and we've never been left waiting. They have a good wine list. I always order rigatoni and the hubs goes back and forth between the homemade gnocchi and the lasagna. Their fish dishes are also delicious. We've never had a bad meal here and the dessert at the end is worth saving room for: sorbets, cheesecakes, cannolis, etc. I highly recommend this restaurant for an intimate Italian meal. It's definitely a step up than other places near by and everything is made fresh in house. Be sure to make reservations. Quick note: the parking lot is tiny. Depending on the day, people park on the main drag. Otherwise, you might have to park on a side street.
(5)
Gina M.
Good atmosphere but we went here for a happy hour after work and they had a really less than average liquor stock. Food was great though. Bartender was kinda rude. Not bad though.
(2)
Deborah K.
Food was delicious from beginning to end. The Arancini was creamy, crunchy, and flavorful. The crab reavioli was amazing. Ended with a salted caramel chocolate mousse cake, which was a slice of heaven. The service was great and the dinner was very reasonably priced.
(5)
Amy J.
Delicious homemade raviolis in a small Erdenheim Italian restaurant! I had the four cheese raviolis and they were delicious! The tomato bisque soup was also quite good, especially on a rainy dreary evening. Very attentive service and reasonable prices. This restaurant is SO much better than Scoogi's which is just down Bethlehem Pike in Flourtown. The only very small downside is that the free bread they serve is not the greatest Italian bread, but it's ok if you're starving for something to munch on.
(5)
Gabriella L.
I dream about this homemade pasta. I am partial to the gnocchi but the butternut squash ravioli with sage butter... I mean need I say more? Get it in the fall. Perfect for fall weather. The ricotta gnocchi for me takes the cake. Delicious.
(4)
Jay G.
I came to Roberto's Trattoria for dinner during happy hour on a weekday evening at roughly 5 PM while starving for some good food with my girlfriend. The restaurant sits on the corner of Bethlehem Pike and Montgomery Avenue. The restaurant is inside a small building, easily distinguishable by the sign outside. When you enter the restaurant, there is a bar with a TV and then up a few stairs behind the bar is the restaurant seating area. We decided to sit at a high table along the large glass window at the bar instead of sitting in the back. The bar started out with only a few people there but eventually it was packed for a good 30 minutes until a handful of people left simultaneously after having drinks together. It seemed a lot of people knew each other here as possibly regulars. First off, our waiter was Roberto which was funny as he walked up to the table with an Italian accent and said "Welcome to Roberto's Trattoria, I am Roberto". It was quite funny as we did not expect to have a waiter with the same name as the restaurant but unfortunately he wasn't the owner. He also used Italian words while serving us which benefits the Italian restaurant experience. He provided very good service, always checking on our table to make sure we were satisfied and not waiting too long for anything such as drink refills or plate removals. To start off, my girlfriend ordered a wine while I had a Pinot Grigio. There seemed to be a decent wine list but we stuck to the glass as we didn't feel the need to order a whole bottle. For starters, we ordered the calamari alla puttanesca. The calamari was tasty and included both rings and legs. It was flavored with olives, red sauce, and anchovies which provided a very good taste. It was definitely one of the better calamari orders I have had in a while from a few restaurants. Next, we received a salad with our entree which included greens and small tomatos with a choice of sauce in which we both chose balsamic vinaigrette. The salad was good and seemed pretty fresh. The balsamic vinaigrette was not overwhelming like at some restaurants so it was a decent salad even though I always try to avoid eating it at home or at a restaurant. Personally, I never loved salad and am a die hard meat fan. For entrees, my girlfriend went with the rigatoni alla rustica which was absolutely delicious. I personally do not go crazy for pasta regardless of my quarter or so percentage of Sicilian heritage but I really enjoyed the rigatoni and it reminded me of a traditional family pasta dinner my grandmother would prepare when I was a kid. The combination of mushrooms, pecorino, and sausage made a great topping to the rigatoni. I had the veal oscar which was good but didn't fill my meat crave meter as it was a thinner cut of veal. In honesty I was craving a burger that night but decided to try somewhere new that my girlfriend really wanted to go. The crab and mushroom topping was pretty good and the spinach definitely added a nice flavor. The food came out steaming hot so I had to wait a minute for it to cool to prevent burning my tongue. This isn't a bad thing as I definitely do not want the food cold. For dessert, we both ordered an espresso and decided to share the cannoli dessert and tres leches cake. The espressos were very good and so were the desserts. The tres leches cake was delicious and was definitely a nice way to finish the meal. Overall, I definitely recommend Roberto's Trattoria to anybody looking to enjoy some real deal Italian food.
(4)
H J.
(Not in Glenside it is Erdenheim) Very nice look to this place (was 1st time there) We were seated quickly and in a friendly manner.(Tue at 6) Waitress was great, very helpful, very pleasant vibe Started with tomato carrot bisque. Was really excellent! We split Caesar salad (it is big enough for 2) Was good (but a tad bland dressing) Bread was perfect Had 1/2 orders of butternut gnocchi, and meat ravioli. I have to say that after reading so many rave reviews of these, we were both less than blown away. Had chicken parmesan which was excellent. Very tender chicken. (would come back for this) Had to try the spaghetti, so got that as a side. Once again after so many rave reviews, we both thought the marinara sauce was lackluster. Had side of meatballs. Pretty good, a tad mushy, but good flavor All in all, very nice place. Have definitely had "better" food, (or at least that spoke to me more). I have been to Italia 5 times (various regions) and know the Trattorias and Ristorantes. Will try these guys again
(3)
Deke K.
Great food, good service, fair prices. Pasta and veal dishes are all really good. Wine by the glass very reasonably priced.
(4)
Michelle S.
We took my in-laws to Roberto's for Father's Day. My father-in-law had eaten here many years ago and wanted to try it again. We all ended up getting a ravioli dish for dinner. I got the apple and asiago cheese stuffed ravioli and it was really good! My husband got the crabmeat ravioli and was raving about it. Despite the fact that we all really enjoyed our pasta, I have to say my favorite part was dessert. This was one of the best tiramisu I have ever had. I would probably go back just to get dessert again! The staff were all really friendly, nice, and very attentive. My only complaint is that it was kind of an old people restaurant. However, that worked out fine since we took my in-laws here. It's the perfect place to take your parents or older family members. I will be returning, and most likely with my parents next time!
(4)
C Y S.
The place is cozy and feels neighborhood-y. We were seated promptly, but no one came to take care of us for a while. After we finished eating, we also waited a long time before someone (not our waiter) came over and asked if we were finished and wanted our food wrapped up. The restaurant was not full, but there was a large group , so I think that caused a bit of havoc and chaos with the service. It started well with the appetizers. The calamari alla puttanesca was very good, and the tomato bisque was also delicious. However, the pastas I and my dining companion ordered were not up to par. I love homemade pasta, and I've had a lot of it around town. I couldn't tell if my pasta was over-cooked or under-cooked. I thought it mushy, but my friend thought it was actually under-cooked (she said she tasted raw flour). Maybe it was just a heavy dough? We ordered 2 different types of pasta and both had similar textures, so I am guessing it's the dough. I think this place has potential, but maybe we just didn't order well.
(3)
Kent K.
A wonderful neighborhood restaurant with a nice friendly bar, excellent staff and FANTASTIC food.
(5)
Ryan C.
This is better than 3 stars, but the bar area is very old style pub-like which is just not my thing visually. It's like they wanted two different worlds but didn't know that you just can't pair them together. The juxtaposition is that the dining areas are actually cute and cozy. Large mirrors and a stained glass window stick out as nice touches to spruce up this restaurant just beyond Chestnut Hill. The yellow, white and wood combination works in a very simple but charming place. This definitely has what I call the original Philadelphia style which is very different from the modernity in center city venues. The back room while somewhat claustrophobic can also be romantic. Which makes sense because when I think of romance I think claustrophobia.
(3)
Linda M.
Three words: Butternut Squash Ravioli is a MUST try. The homemade pasta is delicate and packed with flavor. The new ownership was the best thing for this spot formerly occupied as Fingers. I've eaten at both the bar and table service and either or is a good time. One downer is an upstairs women's room which makes it hard for older folks but that wouldn't stop me from eating there. I'm not sure why the address comes up as Glenside but this is in Erdenheim, PA.
(4)
sue w.
You can't beat this neighborhood place. The staff is great, friendly and have. Been faithful from the time they were on main street in Manayunk. Ask what Roberto is cooking to get the best dishes. A little of real Italy in the near burbs.
(5)
Linda B.
love the ambiance in this 300-yr-old building...old world charm and delicious homemade italian dishes in the dining room, and a friendly, cozy Irish pub in the front. favorite foods: mussels in wh sauce, pear ravioli, gnocchi. Best caesar salad anywhere.
(4)
DWFMB A.
Bland fettuccine bolognese, bland Caesar salad, very small quantities for a $15 bowl of pasta... Overpriced and under-impressive taste, choose one.
(2)
I S.
They make fantastic pasta, but it's pretty expensive. Definitely not a place for every date night, but it's good stuff.
(4)
JC C.
Been there quite a bit. The staff and the owner are VERY friendly. The menu has gotten better but still not great. Subpar sauce for an Italian resterant
(2)
Annie A.
Roberto's has great food and great service! When I first tried this restaurant, I wanted to pick up takeout on the way home from work, but didn't have a menu. I called and the very nice bartender helped me pick the perfect entree! They were very welcoming and warm when I came inside to pick up my food. And let's get to the food. SOOOOOO good!!!! The Butternut Squash ravioli was delicious, and I loved the Crab Ravioli as well. Gnocchi with marinara sauce = fresh and yummy. All their pastas are homemade, and you can tell. EAT HERE.
(4)
Richard R.
My wife and I went here for dinner on my wife's birthday in February 2015. We had reservations. It was our first visit to this restaurant. It turned out to be a snowy night. There was 3 inches of snow on the ground. We arrived to find that the parking lot was not plowed, the walkway was not shoveled, and the entrance was not shoveled. We parked in the lot and went inside. We were the first customers in the restaurant and I doubt that many other people would arrive, due to the snowstorm. Nevertheless the waitress showed us to a table that was poorly located in a far corner of the dining room. (Why do they do that???) We asked for a different table and she gave us a better table. Then she came out of the kitchen and told us to move our car to a different part of the parking lot because the car was in front of the walkway ... but obviously the walkway and the parking lot stripes were invisible because they did not plow or shovel the snow! So they wanted us to go back out onto the walkway they did not shovel, and into the parking lot they did not plow, to move our car. It was insulting, so we left before ordering our food and went to a different restaurant. We certainly did not like the hospitality at Roberto's! The people running this restaurant are unfriendly and mean.
(1)
Steven W.
What a wild and crazy visit to this well reviewed Italian restaurant. When we were seated, the first bad sign was there were no menus for our table. Our server seemed very nice and worked with us to accommodate some food requests. We were served our bottle of wine and then the wait began!! Our server was in avoidance mode. We asked a hostess where our appetizers were. We waited. My wife spoke to the hostess again and actually said we were upset and expected some adjustment in our bill. We waited. We asked for our salads since the appetizers were still not out. Our server was still in complete avoidance mode. At least two tables had come in after us and were through their entrees. We were told by our server that the kitchen was short a cook. We waited. I asked to speak to a manager. No one came. I went back to the hostess and told her we were ready to leave. We waited. Finally our server arrived and said there was no manager. I said we were ready to leave. My wife said she could box our entrees. She said they were at least five minutes from done. We said we were ready to leave. They did not charge us for the items we received. Disorganized, misrepresentation, lies. Very poor customer service in keeping us in the loop about the delay. I still do not really understand what went wrong. For tonight, Roberto's deserves 0 stars.
(1)
James S.
I feel bad that Mallory S. didn't enjoy her dinner here and I can see why, but my fiance and I had a very enjoyable time at Roberto's. We too started with the calamari, but absolutely loved it. I did notice that the marinara did have a strong taste to it and to me it seemed like it had a lot of wine in it, but I didn't dislike it at all. For dinner she had the crab raviolis which she loved and I had either the chicken or veal with capers (can't recall, it was a few weeks back) and I enjoyed that as well. This place is definitely a step above another Italian place right down the street. Everything here tastes very fresh and homemade. I'm pretty sure all, if not most, of their pasta is made fresh at the restaurant. That's a plus. Also, the waiter we had was very knowledgeable and gave us a good description of the background of the restaurant and its owners. This made us feel very welcome here. So many items on the menu I was dying to try but didn't get to. I will definitely be back.
(4)
Bruce H.
First off, Roberto's Trattoria is in Erdenheim, near Flourtown, NOT in Glenside... yes, they have a 19038 zip code, but it is 4 to 5 miles from the center of Glenside! OK, I'm going to seem... what's the word... slow, maybe stupid, because I have lived about 100 yds. from this beautiful restaurant for 4 years and never visited until a few weeks ago! I've been missing all of that homemade ravioli and gnocchi. True, not all the pasta is made there - but you can ask which ones are. The outside of the building is nice (OK, I'll even use the word charming), with beautiful wildflowers in patches throughout the front & side lawn. I'm not positive, but they may have an herb garden around back too. The decor inside is very nice, even an upscale white tablecloth feel to it. The waiter we had was knowledgeable and friendly, and service from the kitchen was fairly quick. The bread they brought out was excellent. Very crusty, not too dense and with sesame seeds on the top. My wife & I shared the eggplant parm appetizers - delicious - and enough to share. A very good house salad comes with the meal. I had the ravioli stuffed with crab-meat in a blush sauce - excellent! Only complaint - wish there had been about 2 more ravioli on the plate. My wife had the gnocchi with fresh basil pesto, but it was a little heavy for her. When we ordered dessert, they were out of a couple of things that we were in the mood for, and they were very apologetic. We shared something that I can't even remember now. But, the next thing you know, the waiter brings out 2 small chilled glasses of Limoncello that Roberto makes right at the restaurant - gratis! Loved it, and it was a terrific ending to our meal. Bottom line. We will definitely go back to Roberto's. Next time, I think we'll take some friends, have a couple of drinks before we go and WALK down there! How great is that?
(4)
P B.
I have eaten here many times and tried many items. For the most part, everything has always been very fresh and delicious. You can tell the place takes pride in what they serve. My friends and I enjoy getting a chance to eat here. I ate there again last night. It was very busy and the service did suffer a bit as a result. The food was again delicious. One thing I learned was to not ask for a Caeser salad with the entree. Entrees come with a house salad which was really good (my friends had them): a healthy serving of spring mix lettuces (not the mediocre gestures that many places serve as the included salad). The Caeser salad had way too much dressing on it, the dressing was not even tasty (bland/creamy), and they charged me an upcharge of $2 for asking for it instead of the house salad, though this was not noted on the menu or by the waiter. Also, be aware that their cannolis have a chocolate filling -- I was disappointed that I was not getting the traditional cannoli and the waiter did not describe them as chocolate. Also, we checked on the homemade pasta issue. Not all of it is homemade. Check with the waitstaff. I believe the first two pages of entrees are the ones with homemade pasta. The spaghetti and penne are not homemade.
(4)
Suni A.
The only reason I'm not giving two stars is because the food was half-way decent, otherwise they'd be getting two stars. The hostess didn't smile when we walked in, as a matter of fact she made it seem like we were bothering her. Our waitress (Beth) actually turned her back to my friend and spoke only to me. Can you get any ruder?! We were shoved at a table that was way too small even though we had reservations. There was another couple seated at a 4-person table and numerous 4-person tables unoccupied. Two things I found interesting: the staff was older than I'm used to - about my age and the building had the feel of a church. Maybe at one time it was a church. I heard a waiter for another table giving his guests a history of the place, but Beth didn't tell us anything about the place. Most likely will not be returning.
(3)
Eric R.
Had dinner here Friday night, on a whim, live nearby, had never been in though I drive by every day. We were greeted promptly and seated in a not very busy dining room. Then we were promptly ignored by our server for 30 minutes, he made himself busy chatting with other diners, glancing over at us more than a few times, but never coming to our table. Once we ordered we were served very good quality food, everything was good. Gnocchi and Crab Ravioli, yum. We asked for a piece of lemon cake to go, when we got home we discovered that we had the smallest piece of cake we had ever seen, really skimpy. The food was great, would go back for that, but probably would sit at the bar rather than deal with table service again. We really felt unwelcome and as if the waiter was doing us a favor by finally serving us. Maybe we are not regulars, but we never will be with the prevailing attitude.
(3)
Natalie P.
Been meaning to eat here for quite a while and it kept getting pushed off for one reason or another. So finally, last night, we met a few friends here and it was worth the wait. We started off with the eggplant balls, which were quite unique, and the antipasti platter. Delicious. Love when restaurants have outstanding olives. I had the Caeser salad and the barramundi. I always order the Mediterranean see bass when in a good Italian restaurant. It certainly didn't disappoint. My husband had the pear ravioli appetizer and another ravioli for entree. They were both super. Another diner with us had the salmon and raved about it. The lemon layer cake was light and not too sweet; just how I like it. Definitely worth it and will will be back. Anne and Roberto are wonderful and we wish them all the success in this quaint delicious restaurant!!
(5)
K. B.
I had been to Phantastic fInds which is right across the street but never knew about this little gem. The outside gardens are gorgeous, a big thumbs up to the gardener! Some kitchen mats left scattered in the back marred the perfect standard set by the flowers as we strolled, but just a bit. Everything we tried was delicious. The pear ravioli had me wishing i had ordered two! The tomato carrot soup had endless layers of complexity and again left me wanting more. We tried the eggplant bites and calamari for appetizers as well and both were good. The homemade gnocchi and ravioli were out of this world, cudos to Roberto! I never get dessert, but indulged and was moaning with delight while enjoying the lemon layer cake. So moist and tasty! It went amazingly well with the complimentary limoncello shot. Our waiter Bill, was the epitome of professionalism, a credit to the establishment. It is refreshing to have service of that quality, so many places are lacking in that aspect. I am definitely making this a new favorite. The only complaint i have and the reason i didn't give them five stars is a bit of a housekeeping issue. The carpets need to either be steam cleaned or replaced. The carpet leading to the ladies room is black with wear and tear. The ladies room faucet also needs some t.l.c., it is crumbling apart. Othe than that, the restaurant is a definite must stop!
What a great neighborhood spot! Half priced apps for happy hour everyday. A funny and friendly bartender (Denise) who knows how to keep everyone happy. And Roberto a wonderful chef who makes the best homemade pasta dishes. I love this place.
(4)
Tom M.
I work near Roberto's and colleagues have given it rave reviews so my wife and I tried on a 70 degree March night (3/18/11). We came away impressed. Before I get to the food, let me praise the atmosphere. Very informal and warm. The staff are all great. I was especially impressed by the busboy who was very friendly and clearly loves being there. He and the wait staff were so good that I had to mention it. My wife and I started with the Caesar salad. They clearly make their own dressing and it is addicting. My wife and I were dipping bread in it. I had the Ravioli alla Roberto. It was handmade fresh ravioli. Just the right sized portion. The filling was great and what was better was the creamy sauce infused with bits of crab. Another item my wife and I dipped bread in. My wife had the Pasta alla Norma. I helped myself to a lot of it. Quite good as well but the Ravioli alla Roberto is so good that it doesn't quite compare. I had the tiramisu for dessert. Beautifully plated, it was wonderful as well. Roberto's is a find. And so close to Fairlane! Breakfast and lunch at Fairlane and dinner at Roberto's would be a perfect day.
(5)
Mark K.
We had a horrible experience at Roberto's last night. It was actually bizarre. My wife ordered the veal Oscar with a side of gnocchi. The veal was very bland. My wife even used salt to try and improve it - she never does that! We didn't complain - it was Sunday night and we were tired. Our waiter then brought the check and we see a $7.50 charge for the gnocchi saying it was a " 1/2 portion". First, we assumed that this was a side instead of the potatoes and veggies. The waiter never said there would be an additional charge. Second, we had ordered gnocchi as a side on a couple previous occasions and never were charged. We pointed this out to the waiter who went to discuss with the manager (we assume she's Roberto's wife, Anne). The manager came over and very rudely told us that it was "too bad" and that we got a 1/2 portion, even offering to show us the other half from the kitchen! We said that it was a very small side and we weren't told in advance that there would be a charge. We expected that she would remove the charge and tell us their policy for future visits. Instead, she refused to take off the charge and said that the waitress that didn't charge us in the past was no longer working there. So? That wasn't our fault! At that point she walked away from the table. Obviously upset, we told the waiter that we didn't feel we should be charged since we weren't told in advance. He apologized and said he should have told us. After a few more minutes the manager came back and said she would take the charge off, but we should do her a favour and "don't come back". Seriously?! We weren't being loud or obnoxious. After her attitude we were prepared not to come back anyway. As background, we had been coming to Roberto's regularly over the last 3 years and have always enjoyed the food and thought the service was good. Of the many times we've been there I can think of only 2 or 3 times we had to send an order back because it wasn't prepared correctly. The most recent one prior to this incident was a month ago where we didn't get what we ordered and had to send it back. Given the decline in the food and the poor attitude of the owners, we're glad to never go back.
(2)
Michael W.
One dinner for the two of us is all I can base this review upon; but it was exactly what we wanted. Veal saltimbocca was very good, and it brought with it a salad, delicious mashed potatoes, and decent green beans -- all for $18.95, a very good value today. The saltimbocca had no cheese, which was actually better, I thought. My wife's veal Milanese was also good and a very large portion. Atmosphere was acceptable, not quite warm; but overall definitely enough good things to ensure we will be trying Roberto's again.
(3)
Steve N.
My wife and I were back at Roberto's last night and we enjoyed this visit as we always have. We walked in the door and there was Roberto to greet us with a welcoming hug and handshake! Roberto has added a couple of new dishes to his menu. Each year he visits Italy and brings back a some new recipes. Thanks Roberto!
(5)
Fran E.
I walked in here wanting to love it. Really REALLY wanting to love it. I read yelp reviews and generally trust them. This time I found myself wondering if I had gone to the wrong place. The address was right, so I guess either they had an off night, or I did. Sadly, my birthday dinner was not what I expected. It may be that I ordered badly....I love Puttanesca sauce, but it was so spicy with red pepper that I couldn't finish it. I ordered it on the gnocchi, which apparently was a big no no. Required a discussion with management. The Marinara sauce, was OK.... my daughter liked the cheese ravioli, though nothing spectacular. The Barramundi was fair, at best. My brother then amended his assessment to "It wasn't terrible." Not exactly a ringing endorsement. The tomato-carrot bisque was pleasant, the salads "tough to screw up". A shining dish on our order was the Smoked Mozzarella with Prosciutto...that was delicious. Certainly the highlight of our meal. The bread for the bruschetta was nice, hearty Tuscan bread....what they brought in the bread basket was mushy, almost like it was undercooked. That was confusing. Our server meant well. I am sure of it. But she was easily distracted and would walk away before getting the entire order. When I wanted to order a glass of wine, she came to the table but walked away for the water pitcher without finding out which wine I wanted. Took three tries to get my wine. Desserts were ok....the lemon layer cake was nice. We weren't even offered the complimentary homemade limoncello, which I would have loved. I feel pretty sad that I had so looked forward to trying this place. I will remain content to head down the street to Scoogi when I want to stay in the neighborhood, or to Marco Polo when I want the fine dining experience. My parents would always give a restaurant two tries before writing it off..... I don't know if I can manage to do that. I am devastated.
(2)
Debra L.
The food is definitely good here. I had spaghetti with eggplant and my husband had pasta with shrimp in a white wine sauce. Entrees come with a salad or soup. Prices aren't too bad. My spaghetti was $14.50 and my husband's was $17.50. There were a few down sides. One was it was very noisy. Not such a big deal. The second was that the bread provided was different at each table. Our bread was a thin loaf and very white. Not quite cooked enough for us. The table next to us had a much larger loaf that was a nice crusty looking brown. Seemed strange. The third and most annoying thing was that "Roberto" came out from the kitchen after our meal and introduced himself to my husband and asked him how the meal was. He never even acknowledged me. Dirtbag!
(4)
Morgan H.
Gnocchi was very good. Had it plain with simple sauce. Homemade and great. I loved the Caesar salad. Had anchovies on side. Rob Roy was a fantastic drink. Overflowing.
(4)
Diane G.
We have been going to robertos for years. The quality of the food is outstanding as well as the service. The bartender,Larry, is the best as well as the servers, Beth and Bill. If this restaurant was in chestnut hill, you would never get in!
(4)
Leather T.
Had the crab ravioli, and it was deelish. I also liked that they don't give you so much that you stuff yourself - it was very rich and I'm not ashamed to admit I would've eaten more if they'd put it on the plate. I'm glad they didn't, since I rarely out to dinner without stuffing myself to the point of discomfort. The prices are fine, the other stuff on the menu looked tasty and the staff was pleasant. My only complaint (a small one) was seating. I think they should change the set up or have less tables. I felt a little crowded. But I'll go back !
(4)
Victoria S.
Dinner was terrible. We ordered the antipasta plate. It had 3 pieces of meat on it and very little cheese. Of the 4 pastas we ordered only 1 was tolerable. The crab ravioli tasted like the crab meat they used was a week old. We couldn't even eat it. We won't be back.
(1)
Tom D.
Stopped by Roberto's Trattoria last night for dinner. We started off with the Eggplant Parm Bites as an appetizer. They came out quickly and were excellent. We were expecting something small based on the "bites" part, but instead received 3 good sizes pieces equal to what you'd get for an entree at some Center City Italian Restaurants minus the pasta. For my main course I tried the Spaghetti Alla Schizzofrenica (good luck on that one spell-check) on the recommendation of the waiter. It was different than anything I'd had before but very, very good. It was fairly spicy for anyone who doesn't handle spicy things you should probably skip it. My wife had the signature ravioli stuffed with crab meat which she found to be a little too "fishy" for her tastes. I tried one and thought they were good but I could definitely taste what she was talking about. We used a Restaurant.com gift certificate for dining there. Normally they are $25 off $50 but Roberto's does $25 off $35 so the entire meal, tax, tip and wine included was only $35. You can't go wrong for that price. We will definitely going back to explore Roberto's menu further.
(4)
Colleen S.
We live close by and finally went to Roberto's for my birthday dinner this week. We were not disappointed. The food was absolutely delicious. I had the butternut squash ravioli with a sage butter sauce. Yum. And, unlike some Italian restaurants, I did not leave feeling like I was about to explode. Also, pretty reasonably priced. Had a decent bottle of sauv blanc for $38. Will definitely go again.
(4)
Kay A.
Wonderful, wonderful place. The restaurant itself is very cozy and charming-local art on the walls, opera playing, candles. The waitstaff is really friendly, and the food was delicious. Yes, they have paper menus and might seem a little quaint or what have you, but my boyfriend and I had a wonderful dinner and everything we had was delicious. Definitely recommend!
(5)
Roger S.
Great food, and ambiance!
(4)
Andy M.
First, Roberto is almost always in the bar, as charming a restaurantur as you can meet. The atmosphere is the bar is so nice I was almost disappointed to be seated. The hostess, Ann, is more charming than Roberto. Not to say I did enjoy the rest of the staff. We had an antipasto, green were crisp, olives, cheese, and meat were savory. I had chicken picata, it was melt in you mouth. My partner had gnocchi, it was tender and flavorful. The charming staff, comfortable atmosphere, and delicious food make Roberto's a must visit.
(5)
Larry K.
Great Caesar Salad dressing. Most all entrees under $20! Portion size may leave you with something to be desired-pasta, medium size; chicken a little small; veal good sized. All in all we'll probably stick with the other Italian restaurant down the street in Flourtown.
(3)
Mallory S.
Food here was only so-so. Calamari was overly deep fried and the marinara sauce tasted bitter. I had the Penne alla vodka and have had much better at other italian places (namely Pietro's in Rittenhouse!). My friend had the Ravioli alla Roberto which was crab stuffed ravioli and that was definitely good but still nothing I would rave over. Worst part about our experience was the waiter who was basically emotionless and borderline awkward at times. When he dropped off our glasses of wine we thought we were being helpful by telling him that we were ready to order and he proceeded to say that it was not our turn and we would have to wait...there was only two of us so I can't imagine that it would have taken more than 30 seconds to tell him our entrees. Definitely would not go back to Roberto's
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Li P.
Brought my 6 year old and 3 year old there on a lazy Sunday evening dinner. Met with our waiter and waitress, Josh and Missy, who were so sweet to my kids. They welcomed me and my family with open arms, had great discussions with them, and ate a delicious meal of homemade stuffed mushrooms with crab meat, spicy diavolo and the buttered penne for the kiddos were amazing. Will definitely be back.
(5)Kristian S.
I overlooked Roberto's for so many years-- but it has truly become one of my favorite go to spots when i am looking for Italian comfort food, amazing pasta, and one of the best bartenders in the business. It is a great spot to eat alone at the bar-- the friendly neighborhood crowd is very welcoming. My favorites are the eggplant parm bites appetizer and the homemade limoncello cake.
(4)Cara T.
Roberto's is a gem in the midst of mediocre dining. Located in a small house, the dining room makes you feel cozy, like you are visiting someone's home for dinner. We stop in for special occasions. The servers are attentive and we've never been left waiting. They have a good wine list. I always order rigatoni and the hubs goes back and forth between the homemade gnocchi and the lasagna. Their fish dishes are also delicious. We've never had a bad meal here and the dessert at the end is worth saving room for: sorbets, cheesecakes, cannolis, etc. I highly recommend this restaurant for an intimate Italian meal. It's definitely a step up than other places near by and everything is made fresh in house. Be sure to make reservations. Quick note: the parking lot is tiny. Depending on the day, people park on the main drag. Otherwise, you might have to park on a side street.
(5)Gina M.
Good atmosphere but we went here for a happy hour after work and they had a really less than average liquor stock. Food was great though. Bartender was kinda rude. Not bad though.
(2)Deborah K.
Food was delicious from beginning to end. The Arancini was creamy, crunchy, and flavorful. The crab reavioli was amazing. Ended with a salted caramel chocolate mousse cake, which was a slice of heaven. The service was great and the dinner was very reasonably priced.
(5)Amy J.
Delicious homemade raviolis in a small Erdenheim Italian restaurant! I had the four cheese raviolis and they were delicious! The tomato bisque soup was also quite good, especially on a rainy dreary evening. Very attentive service and reasonable prices. This restaurant is SO much better than Scoogi's which is just down Bethlehem Pike in Flourtown. The only very small downside is that the free bread they serve is not the greatest Italian bread, but it's ok if you're starving for something to munch on.
(5)Gabriella L.
I dream about this homemade pasta. I am partial to the gnocchi but the butternut squash ravioli with sage butter... I mean need I say more? Get it in the fall. Perfect for fall weather. The ricotta gnocchi for me takes the cake. Delicious.
(4)Jay G.
I came to Roberto's Trattoria for dinner during happy hour on a weekday evening at roughly 5 PM while starving for some good food with my girlfriend. The restaurant sits on the corner of Bethlehem Pike and Montgomery Avenue. The restaurant is inside a small building, easily distinguishable by the sign outside. When you enter the restaurant, there is a bar with a TV and then up a few stairs behind the bar is the restaurant seating area. We decided to sit at a high table along the large glass window at the bar instead of sitting in the back. The bar started out with only a few people there but eventually it was packed for a good 30 minutes until a handful of people left simultaneously after having drinks together. It seemed a lot of people knew each other here as possibly regulars. First off, our waiter was Roberto which was funny as he walked up to the table with an Italian accent and said "Welcome to Roberto's Trattoria, I am Roberto". It was quite funny as we did not expect to have a waiter with the same name as the restaurant but unfortunately he wasn't the owner. He also used Italian words while serving us which benefits the Italian restaurant experience. He provided very good service, always checking on our table to make sure we were satisfied and not waiting too long for anything such as drink refills or plate removals. To start off, my girlfriend ordered a wine while I had a Pinot Grigio. There seemed to be a decent wine list but we stuck to the glass as we didn't feel the need to order a whole bottle. For starters, we ordered the calamari alla puttanesca. The calamari was tasty and included both rings and legs. It was flavored with olives, red sauce, and anchovies which provided a very good taste. It was definitely one of the better calamari orders I have had in a while from a few restaurants. Next, we received a salad with our entree which included greens and small tomatos with a choice of sauce in which we both chose balsamic vinaigrette. The salad was good and seemed pretty fresh. The balsamic vinaigrette was not overwhelming like at some restaurants so it was a decent salad even though I always try to avoid eating it at home or at a restaurant. Personally, I never loved salad and am a die hard meat fan. For entrees, my girlfriend went with the rigatoni alla rustica which was absolutely delicious. I personally do not go crazy for pasta regardless of my quarter or so percentage of Sicilian heritage but I really enjoyed the rigatoni and it reminded me of a traditional family pasta dinner my grandmother would prepare when I was a kid. The combination of mushrooms, pecorino, and sausage made a great topping to the rigatoni. I had the veal oscar which was good but didn't fill my meat crave meter as it was a thinner cut of veal. In honesty I was craving a burger that night but decided to try somewhere new that my girlfriend really wanted to go. The crab and mushroom topping was pretty good and the spinach definitely added a nice flavor. The food came out steaming hot so I had to wait a minute for it to cool to prevent burning my tongue. This isn't a bad thing as I definitely do not want the food cold. For dessert, we both ordered an espresso and decided to share the cannoli dessert and tres leches cake. The espressos were very good and so were the desserts. The tres leches cake was delicious and was definitely a nice way to finish the meal. Overall, I definitely recommend Roberto's Trattoria to anybody looking to enjoy some real deal Italian food.
(4)H J.
(Not in Glenside it is Erdenheim) Very nice look to this place (was 1st time there) We were seated quickly and in a friendly manner.(Tue at 6) Waitress was great, very helpful, very pleasant vibe Started with tomato carrot bisque. Was really excellent! We split Caesar salad (it is big enough for 2) Was good (but a tad bland dressing) Bread was perfect Had 1/2 orders of butternut gnocchi, and meat ravioli. I have to say that after reading so many rave reviews of these, we were both less than blown away. Had chicken parmesan which was excellent. Very tender chicken. (would come back for this) Had to try the spaghetti, so got that as a side. Once again after so many rave reviews, we both thought the marinara sauce was lackluster. Had side of meatballs. Pretty good, a tad mushy, but good flavor All in all, very nice place. Have definitely had "better" food, (or at least that spoke to me more). I have been to Italia 5 times (various regions) and know the Trattorias and Ristorantes. Will try these guys again
(3)Deke K.
Great food, good service, fair prices. Pasta and veal dishes are all really good. Wine by the glass very reasonably priced.
(4)Michelle S.
We took my in-laws to Roberto's for Father's Day. My father-in-law had eaten here many years ago and wanted to try it again. We all ended up getting a ravioli dish for dinner. I got the apple and asiago cheese stuffed ravioli and it was really good! My husband got the crabmeat ravioli and was raving about it. Despite the fact that we all really enjoyed our pasta, I have to say my favorite part was dessert. This was one of the best tiramisu I have ever had. I would probably go back just to get dessert again! The staff were all really friendly, nice, and very attentive. My only complaint is that it was kind of an old people restaurant. However, that worked out fine since we took my in-laws here. It's the perfect place to take your parents or older family members. I will be returning, and most likely with my parents next time!
(4)C Y S.
The place is cozy and feels neighborhood-y. We were seated promptly, but no one came to take care of us for a while. After we finished eating, we also waited a long time before someone (not our waiter) came over and asked if we were finished and wanted our food wrapped up. The restaurant was not full, but there was a large group , so I think that caused a bit of havoc and chaos with the service. It started well with the appetizers. The calamari alla puttanesca was very good, and the tomato bisque was also delicious. However, the pastas I and my dining companion ordered were not up to par. I love homemade pasta, and I've had a lot of it around town. I couldn't tell if my pasta was over-cooked or under-cooked. I thought it mushy, but my friend thought it was actually under-cooked (she said she tasted raw flour). Maybe it was just a heavy dough? We ordered 2 different types of pasta and both had similar textures, so I am guessing it's the dough. I think this place has potential, but maybe we just didn't order well.
(3)Kent K.
A wonderful neighborhood restaurant with a nice friendly bar, excellent staff and FANTASTIC food.
(5)Ryan C.
This is better than 3 stars, but the bar area is very old style pub-like which is just not my thing visually. It's like they wanted two different worlds but didn't know that you just can't pair them together. The juxtaposition is that the dining areas are actually cute and cozy. Large mirrors and a stained glass window stick out as nice touches to spruce up this restaurant just beyond Chestnut Hill. The yellow, white and wood combination works in a very simple but charming place. This definitely has what I call the original Philadelphia style which is very different from the modernity in center city venues. The back room while somewhat claustrophobic can also be romantic. Which makes sense because when I think of romance I think claustrophobia.
(3)Linda M.
Three words: Butternut Squash Ravioli is a MUST try. The homemade pasta is delicate and packed with flavor. The new ownership was the best thing for this spot formerly occupied as Fingers. I've eaten at both the bar and table service and either or is a good time. One downer is an upstairs women's room which makes it hard for older folks but that wouldn't stop me from eating there. I'm not sure why the address comes up as Glenside but this is in Erdenheim, PA.
(4)sue w.
You can't beat this neighborhood place. The staff is great, friendly and have. Been faithful from the time they were on main street in Manayunk. Ask what Roberto is cooking to get the best dishes. A little of real Italy in the near burbs.
(5)Linda B.
love the ambiance in this 300-yr-old building...old world charm and delicious homemade italian dishes in the dining room, and a friendly, cozy Irish pub in the front. favorite foods: mussels in wh sauce, pear ravioli, gnocchi. Best caesar salad anywhere.
(4)DWFMB A.
Bland fettuccine bolognese, bland Caesar salad, very small quantities for a $15 bowl of pasta... Overpriced and under-impressive taste, choose one.
(2)I S.
They make fantastic pasta, but it's pretty expensive. Definitely not a place for every date night, but it's good stuff.
(4)JC C.
Been there quite a bit. The staff and the owner are VERY friendly. The menu has gotten better but still not great. Subpar sauce for an Italian resterant
(2)Annie A.
Roberto's has great food and great service! When I first tried this restaurant, I wanted to pick up takeout on the way home from work, but didn't have a menu. I called and the very nice bartender helped me pick the perfect entree! They were very welcoming and warm when I came inside to pick up my food. And let's get to the food. SOOOOOO good!!!! The Butternut Squash ravioli was delicious, and I loved the Crab Ravioli as well. Gnocchi with marinara sauce = fresh and yummy. All their pastas are homemade, and you can tell. EAT HERE.
(4)Richard R.
My wife and I went here for dinner on my wife's birthday in February 2015. We had reservations. It was our first visit to this restaurant. It turned out to be a snowy night. There was 3 inches of snow on the ground. We arrived to find that the parking lot was not plowed, the walkway was not shoveled, and the entrance was not shoveled. We parked in the lot and went inside. We were the first customers in the restaurant and I doubt that many other people would arrive, due to the snowstorm. Nevertheless the waitress showed us to a table that was poorly located in a far corner of the dining room. (Why do they do that???) We asked for a different table and she gave us a better table. Then she came out of the kitchen and told us to move our car to a different part of the parking lot because the car was in front of the walkway ... but obviously the walkway and the parking lot stripes were invisible because they did not plow or shovel the snow! So they wanted us to go back out onto the walkway they did not shovel, and into the parking lot they did not plow, to move our car. It was insulting, so we left before ordering our food and went to a different restaurant. We certainly did not like the hospitality at Roberto's! The people running this restaurant are unfriendly and mean.
(1)Steven W.
What a wild and crazy visit to this well reviewed Italian restaurant. When we were seated, the first bad sign was there were no menus for our table. Our server seemed very nice and worked with us to accommodate some food requests. We were served our bottle of wine and then the wait began!! Our server was in avoidance mode. We asked a hostess where our appetizers were. We waited. My wife spoke to the hostess again and actually said we were upset and expected some adjustment in our bill. We waited. We asked for our salads since the appetizers were still not out. Our server was still in complete avoidance mode. At least two tables had come in after us and were through their entrees. We were told by our server that the kitchen was short a cook. We waited. I asked to speak to a manager. No one came. I went back to the hostess and told her we were ready to leave. We waited. Finally our server arrived and said there was no manager. I said we were ready to leave. My wife said she could box our entrees. She said they were at least five minutes from done. We said we were ready to leave. They did not charge us for the items we received. Disorganized, misrepresentation, lies. Very poor customer service in keeping us in the loop about the delay. I still do not really understand what went wrong. For tonight, Roberto's deserves 0 stars.
(1)James S.
I feel bad that Mallory S. didn't enjoy her dinner here and I can see why, but my fiance and I had a very enjoyable time at Roberto's. We too started with the calamari, but absolutely loved it. I did notice that the marinara did have a strong taste to it and to me it seemed like it had a lot of wine in it, but I didn't dislike it at all. For dinner she had the crab raviolis which she loved and I had either the chicken or veal with capers (can't recall, it was a few weeks back) and I enjoyed that as well. This place is definitely a step above another Italian place right down the street. Everything here tastes very fresh and homemade. I'm pretty sure all, if not most, of their pasta is made fresh at the restaurant. That's a plus. Also, the waiter we had was very knowledgeable and gave us a good description of the background of the restaurant and its owners. This made us feel very welcome here. So many items on the menu I was dying to try but didn't get to. I will definitely be back.
(4)Bruce H.
First off, Roberto's Trattoria is in Erdenheim, near Flourtown, NOT in Glenside... yes, they have a 19038 zip code, but it is 4 to 5 miles from the center of Glenside! OK, I'm going to seem... what's the word... slow, maybe stupid, because I have lived about 100 yds. from this beautiful restaurant for 4 years and never visited until a few weeks ago! I've been missing all of that homemade ravioli and gnocchi. True, not all the pasta is made there - but you can ask which ones are. The outside of the building is nice (OK, I'll even use the word charming), with beautiful wildflowers in patches throughout the front & side lawn. I'm not positive, but they may have an herb garden around back too. The decor inside is very nice, even an upscale white tablecloth feel to it. The waiter we had was knowledgeable and friendly, and service from the kitchen was fairly quick. The bread they brought out was excellent. Very crusty, not too dense and with sesame seeds on the top. My wife & I shared the eggplant parm appetizers - delicious - and enough to share. A very good house salad comes with the meal. I had the ravioli stuffed with crab-meat in a blush sauce - excellent! Only complaint - wish there had been about 2 more ravioli on the plate. My wife had the gnocchi with fresh basil pesto, but it was a little heavy for her. When we ordered dessert, they were out of a couple of things that we were in the mood for, and they were very apologetic. We shared something that I can't even remember now. But, the next thing you know, the waiter brings out 2 small chilled glasses of Limoncello that Roberto makes right at the restaurant - gratis! Loved it, and it was a terrific ending to our meal. Bottom line. We will definitely go back to Roberto's. Next time, I think we'll take some friends, have a couple of drinks before we go and WALK down there! How great is that?
(4)P B.
I have eaten here many times and tried many items. For the most part, everything has always been very fresh and delicious. You can tell the place takes pride in what they serve. My friends and I enjoy getting a chance to eat here. I ate there again last night. It was very busy and the service did suffer a bit as a result. The food was again delicious. One thing I learned was to not ask for a Caeser salad with the entree. Entrees come with a house salad which was really good (my friends had them): a healthy serving of spring mix lettuces (not the mediocre gestures that many places serve as the included salad). The Caeser salad had way too much dressing on it, the dressing was not even tasty (bland/creamy), and they charged me an upcharge of $2 for asking for it instead of the house salad, though this was not noted on the menu or by the waiter. Also, be aware that their cannolis have a chocolate filling -- I was disappointed that I was not getting the traditional cannoli and the waiter did not describe them as chocolate. Also, we checked on the homemade pasta issue. Not all of it is homemade. Check with the waitstaff. I believe the first two pages of entrees are the ones with homemade pasta. The spaghetti and penne are not homemade.
(4)Suni A.
The only reason I'm not giving two stars is because the food was half-way decent, otherwise they'd be getting two stars. The hostess didn't smile when we walked in, as a matter of fact she made it seem like we were bothering her. Our waitress (Beth) actually turned her back to my friend and spoke only to me. Can you get any ruder?! We were shoved at a table that was way too small even though we had reservations. There was another couple seated at a 4-person table and numerous 4-person tables unoccupied. Two things I found interesting: the staff was older than I'm used to - about my age and the building had the feel of a church. Maybe at one time it was a church. I heard a waiter for another table giving his guests a history of the place, but Beth didn't tell us anything about the place. Most likely will not be returning.
(3)Eric R.
Had dinner here Friday night, on a whim, live nearby, had never been in though I drive by every day. We were greeted promptly and seated in a not very busy dining room. Then we were promptly ignored by our server for 30 minutes, he made himself busy chatting with other diners, glancing over at us more than a few times, but never coming to our table. Once we ordered we were served very good quality food, everything was good. Gnocchi and Crab Ravioli, yum. We asked for a piece of lemon cake to go, when we got home we discovered that we had the smallest piece of cake we had ever seen, really skimpy. The food was great, would go back for that, but probably would sit at the bar rather than deal with table service again. We really felt unwelcome and as if the waiter was doing us a favor by finally serving us. Maybe we are not regulars, but we never will be with the prevailing attitude.
(3)Natalie P.
Been meaning to eat here for quite a while and it kept getting pushed off for one reason or another. So finally, last night, we met a few friends here and it was worth the wait. We started off with the eggplant balls, which were quite unique, and the antipasti platter. Delicious. Love when restaurants have outstanding olives. I had the Caeser salad and the barramundi. I always order the Mediterranean see bass when in a good Italian restaurant. It certainly didn't disappoint. My husband had the pear ravioli appetizer and another ravioli for entree. They were both super. Another diner with us had the salmon and raved about it. The lemon layer cake was light and not too sweet; just how I like it. Definitely worth it and will will be back. Anne and Roberto are wonderful and we wish them all the success in this quaint delicious restaurant!!
(5)K. B.
I had been to Phantastic fInds which is right across the street but never knew about this little gem. The outside gardens are gorgeous, a big thumbs up to the gardener! Some kitchen mats left scattered in the back marred the perfect standard set by the flowers as we strolled, but just a bit. Everything we tried was delicious. The pear ravioli had me wishing i had ordered two! The tomato carrot soup had endless layers of complexity and again left me wanting more. We tried the eggplant bites and calamari for appetizers as well and both were good. The homemade gnocchi and ravioli were out of this world, cudos to Roberto! I never get dessert, but indulged and was moaning with delight while enjoying the lemon layer cake. So moist and tasty! It went amazingly well with the complimentary limoncello shot. Our waiter Bill, was the epitome of professionalism, a credit to the establishment. It is refreshing to have service of that quality, so many places are lacking in that aspect. I am definitely making this a new favorite. The only complaint i have and the reason i didn't give them five stars is a bit of a housekeeping issue. The carpets need to either be steam cleaned or replaced. The carpet leading to the ladies room is black with wear and tear. The ladies room faucet also needs some t.l.c., it is crumbling apart. Othe than that, the restaurant is a definite must stop!
(4)Jillian S.
Ate here last night with my 3 brothers, my brother's girlfriend & my fiancé. We ordered a bottle of wine for the 4 of us (for $29) and after getting that we waited quite awhile for the server to come back and ask about appetizers. She finally comes back and we all decided against appetizers at this point and ordered our meals. I had the spaghetti Fra' Diavolo, my one brother had the spinach gnocchi, my fiancé had the Bucatini Alla Matriciana, my other brother had the chicken parm and my brother & his gf had dishes I didn't try since I don't like creamy sauces. I ordered the salad with my meal so that was good .. Just a typical spring mix salad. My fiancé and brother ordered the soup (I can't remember what it was but I know it had chicken & veggies in it) it was good but didn't knock my socks off. After taking a few bites of my pasta I realize the sauce is burnt, it wasn't unbearable but it wasn't pleasant either. My brother that ordered the spinach gnocchi had the same issue & he said some of the gnocchi was extra floury.. It was also dry and just didn't have a nice taste. My fiancés dish was amazing and I don't have anything bad to say about that. Then I decided I want a cannoli since I LOVE them & my fiancé has the Nutella crepes that came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. My cannoli was not edible. I could not believe they sent that out. The filling tasted like it sat in a plastic container in a fridge for months. It literally tasted like plastic and everyone agreed. I didn't even try the shell but my brother (who is a culinary major) informed us that the shell was made incorrectly so it wasn't good. The crepes were good but putting Nutella on anything makes it good. I told the server the cannoli was not good and I didn't want it so we sent it back and she took it off the bill. They also added 20% gratuity to our bill since we were a party of 6 that kind of bothered me since my experience nor service was 20% worthy. I don't think I'm too eager to go back, it wasn't anything special.
(3)Ray E.
What a great neighborhood spot! Half priced apps for happy hour everyday. A funny and friendly bartender (Denise) who knows how to keep everyone happy. And Roberto a wonderful chef who makes the best homemade pasta dishes. I love this place.
(4)Tom M.
I work near Roberto's and colleagues have given it rave reviews so my wife and I tried on a 70 degree March night (3/18/11). We came away impressed. Before I get to the food, let me praise the atmosphere. Very informal and warm. The staff are all great. I was especially impressed by the busboy who was very friendly and clearly loves being there. He and the wait staff were so good that I had to mention it. My wife and I started with the Caesar salad. They clearly make their own dressing and it is addicting. My wife and I were dipping bread in it. I had the Ravioli alla Roberto. It was handmade fresh ravioli. Just the right sized portion. The filling was great and what was better was the creamy sauce infused with bits of crab. Another item my wife and I dipped bread in. My wife had the Pasta alla Norma. I helped myself to a lot of it. Quite good as well but the Ravioli alla Roberto is so good that it doesn't quite compare. I had the tiramisu for dessert. Beautifully plated, it was wonderful as well. Roberto's is a find. And so close to Fairlane! Breakfast and lunch at Fairlane and dinner at Roberto's would be a perfect day.
(5)Mark K.
We had a horrible experience at Roberto's last night. It was actually bizarre. My wife ordered the veal Oscar with a side of gnocchi. The veal was very bland. My wife even used salt to try and improve it - she never does that! We didn't complain - it was Sunday night and we were tired. Our waiter then brought the check and we see a $7.50 charge for the gnocchi saying it was a " 1/2 portion". First, we assumed that this was a side instead of the potatoes and veggies. The waiter never said there would be an additional charge. Second, we had ordered gnocchi as a side on a couple previous occasions and never were charged. We pointed this out to the waiter who went to discuss with the manager (we assume she's Roberto's wife, Anne). The manager came over and very rudely told us that it was "too bad" and that we got a 1/2 portion, even offering to show us the other half from the kitchen! We said that it was a very small side and we weren't told in advance that there would be a charge. We expected that she would remove the charge and tell us their policy for future visits. Instead, she refused to take off the charge and said that the waitress that didn't charge us in the past was no longer working there. So? That wasn't our fault! At that point she walked away from the table. Obviously upset, we told the waiter that we didn't feel we should be charged since we weren't told in advance. He apologized and said he should have told us. After a few more minutes the manager came back and said she would take the charge off, but we should do her a favour and "don't come back". Seriously?! We weren't being loud or obnoxious. After her attitude we were prepared not to come back anyway. As background, we had been coming to Roberto's regularly over the last 3 years and have always enjoyed the food and thought the service was good. Of the many times we've been there I can think of only 2 or 3 times we had to send an order back because it wasn't prepared correctly. The most recent one prior to this incident was a month ago where we didn't get what we ordered and had to send it back. Given the decline in the food and the poor attitude of the owners, we're glad to never go back.
(2)Michael W.
One dinner for the two of us is all I can base this review upon; but it was exactly what we wanted. Veal saltimbocca was very good, and it brought with it a salad, delicious mashed potatoes, and decent green beans -- all for $18.95, a very good value today. The saltimbocca had no cheese, which was actually better, I thought. My wife's veal Milanese was also good and a very large portion. Atmosphere was acceptable, not quite warm; but overall definitely enough good things to ensure we will be trying Roberto's again.
(3)Steve N.
My wife and I were back at Roberto's last night and we enjoyed this visit as we always have. We walked in the door and there was Roberto to greet us with a welcoming hug and handshake! Roberto has added a couple of new dishes to his menu. Each year he visits Italy and brings back a some new recipes. Thanks Roberto!
(5)Fran E.
I walked in here wanting to love it. Really REALLY wanting to love it. I read yelp reviews and generally trust them. This time I found myself wondering if I had gone to the wrong place. The address was right, so I guess either they had an off night, or I did. Sadly, my birthday dinner was not what I expected. It may be that I ordered badly....I love Puttanesca sauce, but it was so spicy with red pepper that I couldn't finish it. I ordered it on the gnocchi, which apparently was a big no no. Required a discussion with management. The Marinara sauce, was OK.... my daughter liked the cheese ravioli, though nothing spectacular. The Barramundi was fair, at best. My brother then amended his assessment to "It wasn't terrible." Not exactly a ringing endorsement. The tomato-carrot bisque was pleasant, the salads "tough to screw up". A shining dish on our order was the Smoked Mozzarella with Prosciutto...that was delicious. Certainly the highlight of our meal. The bread for the bruschetta was nice, hearty Tuscan bread....what they brought in the bread basket was mushy, almost like it was undercooked. That was confusing. Our server meant well. I am sure of it. But she was easily distracted and would walk away before getting the entire order. When I wanted to order a glass of wine, she came to the table but walked away for the water pitcher without finding out which wine I wanted. Took three tries to get my wine. Desserts were ok....the lemon layer cake was nice. We weren't even offered the complimentary homemade limoncello, which I would have loved. I feel pretty sad that I had so looked forward to trying this place. I will remain content to head down the street to Scoogi when I want to stay in the neighborhood, or to Marco Polo when I want the fine dining experience. My parents would always give a restaurant two tries before writing it off..... I don't know if I can manage to do that. I am devastated.
(2)Debra L.
The food is definitely good here. I had spaghetti with eggplant and my husband had pasta with shrimp in a white wine sauce. Entrees come with a salad or soup. Prices aren't too bad. My spaghetti was $14.50 and my husband's was $17.50. There were a few down sides. One was it was very noisy. Not such a big deal. The second was that the bread provided was different at each table. Our bread was a thin loaf and very white. Not quite cooked enough for us. The table next to us had a much larger loaf that was a nice crusty looking brown. Seemed strange. The third and most annoying thing was that "Roberto" came out from the kitchen after our meal and introduced himself to my husband and asked him how the meal was. He never even acknowledged me. Dirtbag!
(4)Morgan H.
Gnocchi was very good. Had it plain with simple sauce. Homemade and great. I loved the Caesar salad. Had anchovies on side. Rob Roy was a fantastic drink. Overflowing.
(4)Diane G.
We have been going to robertos for years. The quality of the food is outstanding as well as the service. The bartender,Larry, is the best as well as the servers, Beth and Bill. If this restaurant was in chestnut hill, you would never get in!
(4)Leather T.
Had the crab ravioli, and it was deelish. I also liked that they don't give you so much that you stuff yourself - it was very rich and I'm not ashamed to admit I would've eaten more if they'd put it on the plate. I'm glad they didn't, since I rarely out to dinner without stuffing myself to the point of discomfort. The prices are fine, the other stuff on the menu looked tasty and the staff was pleasant. My only complaint (a small one) was seating. I think they should change the set up or have less tables. I felt a little crowded. But I'll go back !
(4)Victoria S.
Dinner was terrible. We ordered the antipasta plate. It had 3 pieces of meat on it and very little cheese. Of the 4 pastas we ordered only 1 was tolerable. The crab ravioli tasted like the crab meat they used was a week old. We couldn't even eat it. We won't be back.
(1)Tom D.
Stopped by Roberto's Trattoria last night for dinner. We started off with the Eggplant Parm Bites as an appetizer. They came out quickly and were excellent. We were expecting something small based on the "bites" part, but instead received 3 good sizes pieces equal to what you'd get for an entree at some Center City Italian Restaurants minus the pasta. For my main course I tried the Spaghetti Alla Schizzofrenica (good luck on that one spell-check) on the recommendation of the waiter. It was different than anything I'd had before but very, very good. It was fairly spicy for anyone who doesn't handle spicy things you should probably skip it. My wife had the signature ravioli stuffed with crab meat which she found to be a little too "fishy" for her tastes. I tried one and thought they were good but I could definitely taste what she was talking about. We used a Restaurant.com gift certificate for dining there. Normally they are $25 off $50 but Roberto's does $25 off $35 so the entire meal, tax, tip and wine included was only $35. You can't go wrong for that price. We will definitely going back to explore Roberto's menu further.
(4)Colleen S.
We live close by and finally went to Roberto's for my birthday dinner this week. We were not disappointed. The food was absolutely delicious. I had the butternut squash ravioli with a sage butter sauce. Yum. And, unlike some Italian restaurants, I did not leave feeling like I was about to explode. Also, pretty reasonably priced. Had a decent bottle of sauv blanc for $38. Will definitely go again.
(4)Kay A.
Wonderful, wonderful place. The restaurant itself is very cozy and charming-local art on the walls, opera playing, candles. The waitstaff is really friendly, and the food was delicious. Yes, they have paper menus and might seem a little quaint or what have you, but my boyfriend and I had a wonderful dinner and everything we had was delicious. Definitely recommend!
(5)Roger S.
Great food, and ambiance!
(4)Andy M.
First, Roberto is almost always in the bar, as charming a restaurantur as you can meet. The atmosphere is the bar is so nice I was almost disappointed to be seated. The hostess, Ann, is more charming than Roberto. Not to say I did enjoy the rest of the staff. We had an antipasto, green were crisp, olives, cheese, and meat were savory. I had chicken picata, it was melt in you mouth. My partner had gnocchi, it was tender and flavorful. The charming staff, comfortable atmosphere, and delicious food make Roberto's a must visit.
(5)Larry K.
Great Caesar Salad dressing. Most all entrees under $20! Portion size may leave you with something to be desired-pasta, medium size; chicken a little small; veal good sized. All in all we'll probably stick with the other Italian restaurant down the street in Flourtown.
(3)Mallory S.
Food here was only so-so. Calamari was overly deep fried and the marinara sauce tasted bitter. I had the Penne alla vodka and have had much better at other italian places (namely Pietro's in Rittenhouse!). My friend had the Ravioli alla Roberto which was crab stuffed ravioli and that was definitely good but still nothing I would rave over. Worst part about our experience was the waiter who was basically emotionless and borderline awkward at times. When he dropped off our glasses of wine we thought we were being helpful by telling him that we were ready to order and he proceeded to say that it was not our turn and we would have to wait...there was only two of us so I can't imagine that it would have taken more than 30 seconds to tell him our entrees. Definitely would not go back to Roberto's
(2)