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Categories: Pizza, Beer, Wine & Spirits [Edit]
Neighborhoods: Bushwick, East WilliamsburgMorgan Ave (L)
Mon-Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
"I've been to more wine shops on the UWS than I can remember. While I have had nothing but pleasant experiences at all of them, Pour is the…" read more »
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I have lived 3 blocks from this place for the last seven months, and had never been until yesterday. Why? Because I think I'm too cool for school to hang out in Morgantown. I'm a moron.
At first, I inwardly balked at the prices. However, I LOVE Sicilian pizza, and the #1 slice (prosciutto, mushrooms, onions, gorgonzola), vies as the singular best slice of it I have ever had. It took me half an hour to eat it because I didn't want it to end. And of course, it went down even bettah with a couple of Sweet Actions.
When my pizza was long gone, my server asked if I wanted another beer. I smiled (a little boozily) at him, longing to remain snuggled into that cozy spot reading my book and sipping on Sweet Actions all afternoon. But I (and my thinning wallet) decided against too much of a good thing.
When I stepped back out onto the street, I felt a little bit warmer against the wind. Roberta's had warmed my icy cold stone of a heart. Just a little.
Roberta's is the type of place you can sort of brag about to friends. Not because it's exclusive or expensive by any means, but just due to its sheer novelty. The place is like an industrial garage, farmhouse, and abandoned lot all-in-one, culminating with a big red, wood-burning pizza oven operated by a bunch of cool kids at the very front of the room. However eclectic, it works, from the concrete floors, to the wooden paneling, the high ceilings, and variety of flowerpots and boxes scattered around this middle-of-nowhere-Bushwick-slash-East-New-York eatery.
We came for a late brunch with a party of four. For lunch, the menu is more limited so we all stuck to their Neapolitan style, artisanal pizza. Come with a group so you can mix and match dishes. We ordered three different pizzas and a calzone and I was extremely satisfied with the fire-burned, simultaneously light, airy, and crispy crust. The Specken Wolf, with mushrooms, oregano, onions, and mozzarella, was by far my favorite, though the Breakfast Burrito, with sausage and fresh egg, came a close second. Once it cooled down, however, the egg became a gelatinous, slightly unpleasant texture, so I'd advise eating this pie as quickly as possible.
I lucked out and got a ride to Roberta's but I can imagine the trek to Roberta's would be quite daunting, especially on a weekend with no L service. Still, definitely enjoyable for food that really allows the quality of its ingredients to show.
OVER RATED! If you live in Bushwick the only thing appealing about Roberta's is its convenient location, otherwise it is OVER PRICED for what it provides.
Brunch is terrible. Dinner is slightly more edible, but the only redeeming thing you might find here is an attractive hipster or two.
If you're in the area, check out NorthEast Kingdom instead. Its off the Jefferson stop. Now *that* is worth trekking out to Bushwick for.
Well worth a trek out to Bushwick. The space is has a labor-of-love appeal, with a big outdoor area. They make bonfires at night in the fall and serve spiked cider and mulled wine. There's a rooftop hoop garden, so you know they take the whole local/seasonal thing seriously (with plenty of exceptions, of course).
The food was excellent. We tried a little bit of everything. I loved the fried chicken, which had a very subtle crunch that I found very appealing. The shaved brussels sprouts and bressaola appetizers were just plain delicious. I tried, for the first time ever, both sweetbreads and marrow here. Both were tasty, especially the marrow, though I don't have anything to compare them against. The romanesco cauliflower appetizer was fractalicious.
Of the pizzas, I wasn't wowed by the speck, but the Beastmaster was incredible -- we substituted in the hatch chilis, which are briefly in season, for the jalapenos. Spicy goodness ensued.
All in all, a gem hidden in a hipster oasis out in Bushwick.
Waited an hourrrr for our table, our fault for going on a Saturday night at 7:30. Such good pizza/calzones/etc. Definitely has an awesome atmosphere, tonight was rainy, so the staff had a fire going on the back patio. Even though the wait was an hour, we entertained ourselves at the bar :). Would recommend to anyone looking for a fun, local restaurant.
Roberta's has exactly what I love in a restaurant - phenomenally delicious food made from the freshest ingredients; reasonable prices; and a unique and comfortable dining room. Every aspect of the restaurant shows that it is a true labor of love.
They have vegetables and herbs growing everywhere outside the restaurant on their roof/courtyard - you have to see it to believe it - and lots of it ends up in your dinner.
It's a great place to visit with a group so that you can sample more dishes. We had the kale salad - I eat kale like 5 times a week and this kale was the most buttery, delicate kale I've ever had. And they dress it perfectly and top it with bacon and onions. Mmmm bacon. We also had olive-oil-and-sea-salt sauteed hen-of-the-woods mushrooms. Mmmm mushrooms.
We shared the White and Green (arugula and parmesan) pizza, the Cortes (sausage and Mexican flavors) pizza, and the spaghetti. I usually don't eat pizza crust but I gobbled mine up. The cilantro on the Cortes was the happiest, most perky, horniest cilantro I've ever had. I didn't ask about the arugula but it was probably also from the garden. The spaghetti was a tad overcooked but the sauce was deliciously rich and had tons of flavor including bacon. Mmmm bacon.
The wait service is kind of spacey but it actually works with the laid-back vibe of the place. The dining room looks like a funky Northern California mountain lodge and they also have a fun outdoor space where dogs are welcome. I'd love to have a party here - all they need is some sofas for me to pass out on after eating.
Cash only but what yummy Italian place in Brooklyn is not cash only? I want to go back to Roberta's tonight, tomorrow and the day after.
Roberta's: KICKIN MOTORINO'S AZZZ
I do not recommend going here for a post-breakup dinner.
You will be so angry/sad that you don't know what to focus..the fantastic pizza, or the fact that you are sitting across from somebody you don't know whether to punch in the face or do it with.
That said, the pizza is glorious. Each ingredient stands out, whether it is speck, or broccoli rabe, or prosciutto, or one of the many fine cheeses...
What really stood out to me was the cheese/meat plate. I can't for the life of me remember which cheeses were served, but each one was a pleasure to the palate. The meats, each one varying in flavor and texture, complemented the cheese and bread magnificently.
The most shocking thing about said plate was the fact that I actually enjoyed one of my least favorite things in the world.
Raisins.
These were different from any raisins that had ever been put in my mouth. They were large and juicy, drizzled with honey and absolutely incredible when chewed along with some of the accompanying walnuts. Magnificent. I never thought the day would come when I would like a raisin.
Thank you, Roberta's, for opening my mind.
man i wish i discovered this place earlier on in the summer as it would have been a great hideaway from the city... imagine a huge adult treehouse... outdoors is a nice open space with an open fire... walk upstairs to the greenhouse built... grab some cider wine heated sorta thing... and sit back and enjoy the fresh air?
ok so walkin here from the train station was a lil frightening... especially if u get off at the wrong corner! but quickly come to the corner and u will see the entrance into a nicely barn looking type place... all made of wood and very rustic feel to it... pizza oven right up in the front!
so table of 8 girls, we opted to order alacart for the whole table... much better deal than the suggested catered menu that requires a reservation in advance... fyi come before 7:30 and seating isn't a problem for a party this large. also if u come earlier u mite be lucky enough to snatch one of the few fried chicken meals of the nite...
appetizer -
bone marrow - good, but dunno if it was worth the money for one bone marrow split down the middle... regardless it was pretty filling and one order did feed 4 people comfortably without leaving a fatty aftertaste from eating one all by yourself... be prepared for blood, fat, salt, and nice buttery bread! also if u dare, gnaw at the bone for all those nice juicy meats/tendons that surround the exterior of the bone! just ignore all the disgusted faces around u!
coppa di testa - wow super tender and nicely flavorful with all sorts of meats on this headcheese - don't ask just eat... love the gelatin that holds it all together
bibb lettuce - surprisingly pretty good and the dressing not overpowering but just right amount of zest to it... love the feta cheese on top
romanesco - loveddd this salad - i dunno what was in it but it was a great mixture of all sorts of greens an fresh tomatoes... very refreshing!
hen of the woods mushroom - why can't i ever make my mushrooms taste like this - the taste of the mushrooms came out so much on this dish was great!! also a lil buttery to bring out the tastes!
roasted lamb breast - wow super fatty and tender... a lil more on the gamey side but eat it with the fruits and it balances it all out... definitely share this as its too much fat for one person to handle
orrechiette - the pasta nice and firm, more tomatoey than anything... good contrast to the other meaty dishes
oven grilled chicken - never had such succulent chicken from an oven before... so juicy, not dried out, tons of flavor, and the kale that went with it was just amazing... i think i enjoyed that even moreso than the chicken (which i deboned quite cleanly too!)
crispy glover - this was alright... nothing spectacular stood out bout this... very tomatoey
speckenwolf - onions very strong in this pizza... the meat was nice but a lil overly cooked...
pizza's a lil on the soggy side... i think i like the non-pizza entrees here more
service although slow was relatively friendly! great place to have my bday dinner with a few girlfriends!!!
yummmm
I'd been here only once a couple of months ago and remember enjoying my experience, but this weekend I came here again and was even more impressed. Probably because we excercised a greater degree of ordering prowess this time.
The first time I came, due to the fact that this place is called "Roberta's Pizza" we assumed that it was all about the pizza. There were only two of us, so we chose a pizza (the specken wolf) and then tacked on a pasta (papparedelle with oxtail ragu) because pasta has a natural magnetic appeal for me, as well as the enticement factor of the oxtail ragu. Plus a couple of beers and a rhubarb crisp; we had ourselves a good time and we totally pleased with our meal. The pasta was the highlight but our worlds had not been rocked.
Now, this weekend I came to Roberta's with three other people, allowing me to try more tasty foods at once. We had to wait for a table so we went out to the back patio and had some truly delicious, if a little overpriced, spiced wine. "Christmas in a cup" the bartender said, and he was right. (p.s. I love Roberta's back patio.)
For a starter course we ordered the Crispy Glover pizza, which was good. Their pizza is good....maybe even really good, but at the end of the day it just tastes like correct crust with nice toppings, satisfying but not mind-blowing.
I got the orechiette with duck ragu. The other members of my party ordered; pappardelle with oxtail ragu, polenta with braised pork, kale salad with guanciale. The Kale salad was basically a glorified side-salad, but the guanciale in it was excellent. The other three dishes, pastas all, were truly excellent. These were Michelin-star worthy pastas.
My duck ragu was rich and buttery and flavorful; yet light at the same time. The pappardelle was full of deep slow-cooked meaty flavor, yet balanced with just the right tomatoey acidity. The polenta actually tasted like fresh sweet corn, with lots of creamy goodness (the friend that ordered it said it reminded her of creamed corn, which she loves).
That said, all of the pasta dishes were a bit smaller than they should be, especially mine, which at $15 was a little pile of orechiette about the size of my fist; certainly not enough for a meal on its own. If you pay between $13 and $17 for a bowl of pasta in Bushwick, you should really be given enough to eat only that as a meal if you are so inclined. Had we not gotten pizza and dessert we would have left hungry.
We ordered two desserts, the cookie plate and the pumpkin pie. The cookie plate was so-so; we thought they must have assumed you'd order coffee with the cookie plate, which was overall very dry and included biscotti. Since none of us ordered after-dinner coffee the dry cookies did not feel like a great dessert; certainly not up to the quality of the pastas. The pumpkin pie, however, was. The pumpkin filling was light, airy, creamy, not too sweet; the crust was salty, and there was unsweetened freshly whipped cream piled on top. We all found the noticeably less sweet pie combined with the lightness just right, and it made a generally hardy dessert taste almost refreshing, despite the richness of the cream.
Overall, I was really impressed with the quality of the food this time around, although the pastas are too pricey to enjoy them very often; while the pizzas are not worth the journey when I've got Motorino right by my house. Still, I like the feeling of this place and I think its a great spot to bring out-of -towners or Manhattanite friends for a taste of the Bush'.
If I could do 3.5 stars, I'd do that.
My dining partner and I have been to Roberta's a few times. It's good pizza, cool ambiance, though not a "steal". Lately there's been talk about their fried chicken, so last night we tried it.
Great dish, served with honeyed buttermilk biscuit. Their batters got more flavor than most I've tried. Spiced to perfection, juicy chicken, no complaints. Again, it's definitely not cheap, and a portion was good enough for one person, but none to take home. =(
The food tastes delicious, but its just way too overpriced. They have great ingredients, a lot of them are naturally grown on local rooftops, and I know its "gourmet pizza," but why cant I have unique pizza thats not $20?
Just wanted to add some photos of food and the space. I had the Good Girl pizza, composed of charred kale, garlic chips, taleggio, berkshire pork sausage and, my own addition, thinly sliced potato. This pizza was sans tomato sauce, which not everyone prefers. The combination was very satisfying. Kale being very peppery, nutty and slightly bitter tastes absolutely amazing when slightly grilled/charred. The combination definitely plays on the broccoli rabe/sausage pairing. the crust has that wood-fired crispness outside and slightly doughy inside.
All their beverages are served in jelly jars, the mint lemonade was freshly made...mmm
For dessert we had a wonderful brown sugar pound cake a la mode, and a cookie plate with a selection of biscotti, (their rich chocolate biscotti and zesty ginger snaps were well done!) All washed down by Stumptown french-pressed coffee. We also did try the basil gelato... I am undecided about it, It might be an acquired taste...
I would like to come back to try the roasted chicken, which apparently recieved alot of accolade.
Overall, good value for your dollar, ingredients are high quality and really fresh.
Autumn: this place delivers the goods in a serious way. I don't know how they cook their pizzas, but the crusts are basically perfect - firm enough to hold the slice together, crispy on the bottom but soft enough to sink your teeth into. We ordered the margherita and the Dakine (tomato, mozzarella, ricotta, cotto, jalapenos, pineapple). I thought the margherita could've used a bit more basil, but all the flavor and texture elements were there regardless. The Dakine is a fantastic combo of fresh ingredients thrown together for a gourmet twist on an old favorite (The Hawaiian). Well worth finding out about.
Ari: I had heard about this place through a few sources, and I was disappointed when they changed their delivery radius to exclude our address. Fortunately I made the short drive over. Being from New Haven, CT, I know good pizza - thin crust and charcoal is where it's at. Roberta's knows what's up. Great flavors and nothing is overused - the ingredients work in perfect harmony. They're cash only but have an ATM outside for rookies (like me). Go try some great pizza.
I just moved to Bushburg a few weeks ago, and I think I just found my new favorite neighborhood joint. Ordered the Bibb Lettuce Salad and the Axl Rosenberg w/ Speck added in for good measure. The lettuce was green, fresh, crisp, and perfect really. And the pizza was fantastic. Rich falvors, nice texture, every single bite was delish--crust and all. They have this massive wood-burning oven that does the trick--everything made by hand and with tender loving care. The staff is super chill, the atmosphere is super laid back, and the back patio is the perfect spot to chillax.
I see myself going to Roberta's many, many times during my time here in the Bush.
I don't have much to add that hasn't been said already. I like the pizza, the place is fun.
One thing. There's this new thing on the menu: a grilled lettuce caesar salad. Try it. It's so, so good.
After all the hype from our friends --Roberta's pizza didn't do it for us?!!
Highlight was my root beer :D
Disappointment bitter beer :(
Ordered:
Bibb lettuce -cherry vinaigrette with roasted walnuts and Gorgonzola. Pleasingly good which I've recreated this at home many times.
As for the pizza... artisanal offerings but didn't highten.... crust flavor that wasn't memorable... Perhaps the wood-burning oven wasn't HOT yet. Such a shame because we enjoy venturing out to new places.
We prefer Fornino.
Best fried chicken I've ever had. Seriously. Pizza was good. Really good cheese, piping hot, and gooey like pizza should be. Very chill atmosphere and super relaxed. Staff is friendly and not obnoxious. I'd highly recommend going and sharing a pizza and an order of chicken. They have a great "garden" and lots of good beers to choose from.
Dicey neighborhood.
We ended up at Roberta's we we heard there was excellent fried chicken. Sign me up.
We arrived and were told there would be a short wait. We headed to the bar in the back and ordered two beers- served in mason jars. Which never gets old for me. (So, yeah-- it's no longer BYOB.)
After one beer, we decided to eat at the bar, and flagged someone down to clear off the plates from the people who just departed. We ordered with the bartender, and settled in.
The service was a bit on the slower side. We ordered the cheese plate, which didn't come with crackers or anything to spread it on. We did get a big chunk of bread about 5 minutes before the cheese plate. My expectation is that a cheese plate doesn't take that long to prepare. our entrees came quickly after the cheese plate. I ordered the breast of lamb, which was delish with harissa and a tangy yogurt sauce. My beau ordered the hanger steak which was tasty. All the pizza's looked really good, and I'd venture out to try those again. We were overlooking one table who ordered a giant platter of meat and a few sides which looked amazing.
This place feels like it's run by your friends. Charming and competent friends. Hell, it probably is if you live in the neighborhood.
I got an ad hoc mint lemonade that was off the menu, fresh squeezed by our server because they ran out of listed item. She forgot to add the mint but I forgave her because she made it extra tart--- serendipitously just to my liking.
Grabbing the hefty mason jar, which they use to serve all of their drinks, I took satisfying gulps while apprasing my friend's Berkshire Pork Chop.
Very decent, juicy with a good amount of bite. The fat melted into the rest of the chop really well and carried the fresh herbs along. Simple and hearty--- no fuss but artisanal, much like everything else around this part of Brooklyn.
I got this ridiculous pizza with pineapple, ham, and jalapeno. Sort of delicious, I was confused--- it was like eating something new and exotic like sushi for the first time. The pineapple tingled, the jalapeno burned, the mozz was silky and soothing. It's probably most akin to making out with Satan. The crust was bubbly and blackened but not as chewy as l would've like it.
Walking out of the restaurant we were greeted by all of our friends in the neighborhood, a great and warm way to end such a comforting and relaxed meal.
YES!!!!! It's not NY pizza. but it is so amazing!
Roberta's has a lot going for it: great food, affordable prices, a great beer and wine selection, and a totally chill vibe. In short, it's a fantastic "gourmet" pizza place that does just about everything right.
We started with the meat and cheese "combo plate", which offered a fantastic tasting of meats and cheeses. I followed that with the calzone. It must be said that Roberta's has positively killer dough, and when combined with a wood burning stove, it makes for some fantastic Italian goodness. Top it all off with the fact that they grow all their own vegetables on site, and have a tiki bar with a bunch of picnic tables out back, and well, yes: I shall be returning. Soon.
Positives: Fantastic pizza made in a true wood burning stove, fresh ingredients, super-delicious and salt-balanced cheese, laid-back vibe, great music, communal tables, old-school pizza place that reminds me of New Park in Howard Beach and others out on the island.
Negative: Spaced out waitress with way-too-blonde-hair and thick rimmed black glasses practically ignored us, didn't tell us about the specials, nor did she ask us if we wanted to hear them, and then proceeded to give the specials to the couple next to us. Aside from this, she took about 15 minutes to bring me a bottled soda because she was too busy flirting with the two dudes at the end of the bar. Another waitress noticed that we were being ignored and asked us if we needed anything, cleared our dishes, and brought us our check without us having to ask (she also noticed that we sat for about 15 minutes and tried to get blondie's attention.)
Overall, the pizza was good. Our service was the worst--even in all of Wburg and Bushwick where it matters if you're a regular...
roberta's is definitely an exciting additional to the not so great selection of restaurants in bushwick, but it's really not as amazing as many of these reviews suggest. the service is pretty bad, the food is ok and the interior is cute and campy, but on a saturday night it was crowded beyond belief and seemed like every resident of bushwick was in attendance. the pizza and service at fornino are still far superior.
Went to Roberta's last night for the first time and had a wonderful dinner. This place is up there with some of the best in NYC. Prices are standard for fancy pizza in Williamsburg (even though technically not in Williamsburg). Totes recommend it. For a little bit more of my thoughts check out my post:
http://gprecs.com/2009...
FYI... this place is no longer BYOB...they now have their liquor license.
Astonishingly good.
What more can you ask for? Real honest wood fire pizza, made in a traditional style for a good price, with good ingredients. Split the pizza with a friend and order a salad, probably the best side salad in NY. Good Bar, also at fair prices.
We split the lamb pasta and would not recommend it, not because it was bad but because everything else really outshines pasta and for the price you can order something amazing.
Egg on Pizza! The last time I had that was on the Italian border.
Roberta's is definitely worth the L train down to Morgan Avenue. Just be sure to get to the L train by 1130PM, or else you'll have to take the bus to connect to the train. (Lesson learned last night).
The menu online is actually slightly different than what we looked at the restaurant-- so I wasnt able to order the Axel Rose. We did however get:
1. The huge ass 'Big Tone Calzone' with mozzarella, mushroom, PESTO AND ARTICHOKE. That was an awesome pie to eat. The flavors of pesto and artichoke really melded well together. (see pic)
2. Da Kine which was basically a hawaiian pizza with...ta-da, jalepenos! But I didnt like it that much-- mostly bc the calzone overshadowed it, and there wasnt enough heat from the jalepenos. The other option was a pie with tuna and jalepenos, which I'll have to try next time. For now, that pie was too ordinary, and only gets 3 stars.
3. Veal Sweetbreads from the Dinner Specials-- oh this was so worth $16 for a small plate. I'd have to say, even though the actual sweetbreads were not big round balls like what Ive had at other Italian restaurants, the smaller size of them allowed all sides of it to be perfectly crispy on the outside. The best was the dressing and pistaccio / walnut bits it came with. Seriously 5 stars. If we were not so full (and wanting dessert) I would have ordered the pappardele and the fried chicken!!
4. Goat Cheese Cheese Cake with rhubarb and graham cracker crusts on the side. The best way to describe it (bc it was such a new flavor for me) was like dating a guy and you feel comfortable with, but hes always surprising you-- bc you eat the cheese cake and it tastes like a normal one, but at the end the kick of the goat cheese came in. We finished the whole thing. It was the intriguing and experimental for us!
Definitely coming back for more! **CASH ONLY**
This place is a true gem! Pizza is perfectly on point and the atmosphere is amazing. Would have rated this 5 stars had the Pappardelle portion been more sufficient, way too small for a dinner portion.
Brick oven pizza, great micro brews and the best argula salad I have ever had. Perfect!
We were at Roberta's for a birthday party this past weekend... and it was great!
At first we were very confused by the address. We drove from south Brooklyn, as as we passed by more and more projects we were a bit dumbfounded that such a highly regarded pizza place would in the middle of Bushwick.
The pizzas were all great: Fresh ingredients, just the right amounts of spice/sauce. The salads were yummy (and we saw their lettuce garden on top of their building) and satisfying.
Dear Roberta's,
you were horrible yesterday. WORST EVER!! I put myself through college waiting tables and normally I have the upmost respect for people in the service industry when they are having a hard time. However not only did you not have anything i ordered but the manager was incompetent and our server "paul" was a joke!
we sat down and it took at least ten mins for paul to come over and take our order. We came in for fried chicken because legend has it that your cook is the home girl from pies and thighs..fried chicken not on the dinner menu. So we ordered a roast chicken for me.. lamb for my friend ..and pizza for his girl. server comes back in another ten mins. says you don't have the chicken. So i ordered the lamb...server comes back in another ten mins// we dont have that kind of pizza either.. okay .. and WE STILL DONT HAVE OUR BEERS!! he says sorry we are making the drinks... what the hell people do you have a brewery out back?? You pour it..IT"S BEER?? then the manager comes over with a meek and not sincere oops attitude brings us beer says he will have to get us some drinks.. two mins later manager comes back ...you also Don't have the second type of PIZZA she ordered!! and the managers says " i guess i will have to buy your pizza" Okay at this point your service has been so pathetic and "i guess" is just shitty!! they comped the pizza.. no comps on drinks..and my lamb was an 1" think and more than 3/4 " thickness was LARD!! I get that lamb breast should be moist and tender but tat cut was so fatty it made me GAG!!
GIANT FAIL!!
DONT GO TO THIS PLACE. GO to PATSYS ON THE UPPER WEST SIDE if your gonna make a trek for good PIZZA!! They Are SLOW at best ..the place is full of gaunt looking hipsters. The only redeeming factor is the music is super upbeat and cheezy 90's!! if you can find redemption in shitty 90's music!
OVERRATED!!
Picture this, Brooklyn, 2009...lots of hipsters that look like skinny lumberjacks in plaid shirts and shaggy beards and the girls that love them...crowded but relaxed at the same time...a real chef in the kitchen cooking bits of deliciousness and a pizza making station up front...drinks served in mason jars,,,mismatched chairs and tabletops made from old doors, random bits of wood and stuff all over the walls...looks kinda like a rec room but not exactly kitschy...
Here's what you need to know:
1. lots of porky bits, which i don't do, but they are easily avoidable and my better half and his buddies devoured them with great zeal
2. no byob. but good wine & beer selection
3. ricotta, egg, truffle oil calzone...JUST DO IT...i fantasize about this...
also, lovely salad, good pizza, great atmosphere...
WOW...another hidden gem in Bushwick! The boyfriend and I just got back from riding our bikes in the frigid fall air the several blocks to Roberta's and our reward was well worth it! The unassuming storefront gives way to a warm, welcoming lodge complete with flickering candles, the requisite wood burning oven and long communal tables that add to the general feeling of conviviality that permeate the restaurant. The food is great; drinks are great but most importantly the service and atmosphere are phenomenal! Our friendly bartender told us about the radio station which broadcasts food related shows from next door and invited us to check out the outdoor area where a couple of guys were staying warm next to a fire and making s'mores. I will definitely be going back and reporting more extensively on the food we had, but for now I'll fall asleep with my belly full and the happy memories of a golden evening in Bushwick dancing before my sleepy eyelids.
I love the IDEA of Roberta's. I like the atmosphere. And the staff is nice. And there's good music. And i like the beer hall style seating... I really want to love it... but i just don't like the pizza. It's just so salty and meaty and heavy and expensive. There's always lots of toppings like eggs and pork and cured meats I've never heard of and whatnot, i guess when it comes to pizza toppings i just prefer the veggie stuff. Also, it's not BYOB anymore, which is a bummer. Still, if you've never been, it's probably worth checking out once.
***UPDATED (one star removed)***
Went back for brunch.They charge $2 for a coffee, and then they don't offer refills! Seriously, guys?
This is simple.....
If you want mediocre pizza why pay for it? You can get the same crap at Alligator Lounge for free when you buy a beer!! I am in no way endorsing AL but let's get real people! Roberta's is a joke with extremely intelligent owners who obviously love serving crappy over priced food and overcharging for it because there is nothing else available in their neighborhood.
Pies and thighs fried chicken is pretty close to how it used to be. 14$ was too steep for what you get but it was really good.
after hearing rave reviews from my bf, i finally got to try roberta's. unfortunately, we didnt get to try the garlic ramp pizza that they had last time, but our selections were still yummy. it was like gourmet pizza at reasonable prices with nice low key ambience. we also tried the lardo with burnt toast (melted/buttery lard that is perfectly complimented by the salted burnt toast - sounds gross but a must-try)
we each got our own pizza which was just right - its like a large personal pan pizza, but has a thin crust so you don't feel weighed down by dough.
i loved the rustic feel and vintage car in the back that serves as a backrest/planter and it looks like they grow their own herbs in the back courtyard. there are also 2 HUGE pitbulls in the back - they look intimidating, but are very friendly and harmless.
this is a great place to hang out-huge tables inside and out, bar inside, but a long wait for the food.
Took a bike ride to Roberta's for a slice. Not what we expected. This is not really a slice place to start with, and the slices are ginormous, oozing with olive oil. Really more focaccia than pizza, with a zip of tomato sauce and melted fresh mozz on top, with a sprig of basil. I ordered two slices. HA! Ended up taking one home. The GF barely finished hers. Will return to dine in and get the full experience but are dazzled already by the great folks inside and the quality pizza - for cheap prices.
I have been to Roberta's five or six times since it opened. I thought it was quite good early on, but it has gotten to be excellent since then, with new menu items added every time I've visited.
One of my favorite brunches is Roberta's guanciale and egg pizza, sopping up the porky pizza in runny egg yolk...we were allowed to sample a new menu item (oysters poached in red wine, with eggs) which was also very good, although I think I'd be hard-pressed to order it instead of the guanciale and egg pizza...
For dinner, the finocchio (sp?) is amazing, with sweet roasted fennel; I also love the crispy kale and sausage pizza.
The prices are reasonable for what you get--this isn't a floppy, greasy $2 slice--and the atmosphere is lovely--I've always had a great time having pizza, beers, cheese & salumi...I can't wait until it's spring and the outdoor garden is open again!
Hands down, without a doubt, the most hilarious and fascinating pizza shop I have ever been to.
I have a crazy uncle who is obsessed with pizza, so much so that he built his own pizza oven in his backyard and is making a profession out of it. He insisted on taking me to this place because he loves it so much himself. You have to go to middle-of-nowhere Bushwick (they say "East Williamsburg," but anyone with a brain already knows...), to probably the most hipster-tastic neighborhood I have ever been to (and I am from Brooklyn).
Roberta's is located amid factory buildings (occupied by artists who sit out front playing guitars in rocking chairs), auto garages and empty lots - Overall, it's an unattractive area, but it makes it even more hilarious to find this lovely pizzeria (also in what seems to be a former auto garage) in the midst of it all.
The inside of the restaurant is sparsely decorated and semi-dilapidated, but you don't dine at this establishment for that reason. There are a mish-mash of tables and chairs, random art and mirrors, etc., but up front is a lovely domed pizza oven in red mosaic tile, and that's what it's all about. We went on a Sunday afternoon, and it was 3/4 full with lots of hip people and some older ones too. There's even outdoor seating available for when the weather is nice.
The pizzas are EXCELLENT and have some really amazing and interesting toppings (guanciale, speck, etc.), and everything came out fresh and the crust was done very well. I appreciate that the focus at this establishment really is just on the pizza - There aren't a lot of other items available, and the pizza is really the reason to go anyway.
I have already vowed to take all visitors to New York City here as it is an excellent example of both New York pizza and of the wonders of gentrifications... afterward, we will all go around the corner to the Organic Cafe/Video Store on Bogart and digest our meal while watching the day go by from our sidewalk rocking chairs.
The $$ FIVE $$ Pastabilities
Neighborhood: Midtown East
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