Roberto’s Italian Ristorante is the latest entry to the downtown Youngstown dining scene. I still can’t believe I am actually writing this. Kudos to Roberto Faraglio for braving the new frontier in our rapidly gentrifying downtown. Located on Federal Street directly across from the defunct Rosetta Stone, don’t be put off by the unassuming façade and sign. These folks have done an outstanding job on the interior space which puts me in mind of the likes of Patsy’s in New York City. Crisp white table cloths with candles make this a neat place to eat.
Roberto’s has only been opened for three weeks or so and is still going through its soft opening period as it tries to work out the kinks. The owner’s background is in portable Italian food and catering, so he is no novice to the food business which is always a hopeful sign. This is a family run operation and it shows. The staff is extremely friendly and tries almost too hard to please. I had a quick homemade spaghetti dinner, and the sauce is very, very good and well presented with a house salad and homemade roles. They have some spectacular desserts. The bombe should be declared illegal it is so rich with peanut buttery filling and a chocolate and caramel shell. It gets a big OMG!!!!! Prices are in the $10.00 - $20.00 plus range.
The good news is it has a really nice bar. The bad news is it doesn’t have a liquor license, but working on it. The good news is that although it doesn’t have a liquor license or a corking license, the owners encourage patrons to bring their own bottle of wine and they will supply the bottle opener and the glasses. That means no corking fee which makes for a very economical evening if you are a wine drinker.
I don’t even have picture to put on this mini-review. Suffice it to say that when it is going full throttle in a couple of months, Roberto’s has the potential to spark a rebirth of classy restaurants in downtown Youngstown close to our “theater district.” Try it out now while you can still get in.
Takes all credit cards. Don’t know about reservation policy, but if a show is downtown, it is probably worth giving them a ring a ding.
Roberto's Italian Ristorante
103 West Federal Street
Youngstown, OH 44503
330-743-3000
2 comments:
You spelled rolls wrong. It is not roles, it is rolls.
So carnival food to restaurant dining. Sounds like a high quality place.
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