Roberto's keeps it real
Many diners associate chef Roberto de Carvalho with five-star menus themed around fynbos herbs at The Twelve Apostles. Now this chef is keeping it real with Roberto’s Signature Restaurant in Cape Town’s buzzy Long Street (former YMCA building below On Broadway theatre). White café tables suit lunchtimes or nibbling on petiscos (Portuguese snacks), with a curtained section with glass driftwood wall for night glamour.
De Carvalho’s South African Portuguese heritage is reflected in dishes ranging from flame-grilled baby chickens and beef trinchado to rump or piri-piri chicken espetada, served on traditional ceramic plates. Italian and Spanish elements also feature alongside crayfi sh thermidor with Mediterranean touches, flamed with Portuguese aguardente.
“My wife is half-Greek, half-Italian, so my petiscos include eggplant and zucchini fries. They’re served with piri-piri aïoli – my Mozambique twist,” explains the chef. “She will never let me take it off the menu!” Late-night revellers can order the post-theatre menu or tuck into pork bifanas rolls or Roberto’s rump-steak roll with handcut fries. Roberto’s Signature Restaurant, 44 Long Street, Cape Town, tel 021 424 1195
