Welcome to the brand new Roba Bar & Restaurant in Paddington where a young executive chef – Andrea Secchi (ex-Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley) – a focus on in-house aging of beef and smoking of salmon, and a menu designed largely around a robata grill add up to a hearty dining experience.
Opened this week and set at the base of the Norfolk Towers hotel near Paddington Station, Roba aims to appeal to locals and tourists alike as they bobble about in search of something good to eat. I reckon such customers would be in for a fine meal indeed should they happen to give Roba a go. I was pleased with what I had to try and impressed with Chef Secchi’s doings enough to want to pay his restaurant another visit.
Highlights from my visit included an elegantly presented bowl of exceptionally crispy wild sea bass fillet with purple potatoes, crab meat and bisque sauce (£15.50) and a main course of pork spare ribs from the slathered in BBQ sauce (that’s a good thing) served with a side of creamy aioli coleslaw (£13.50). My glass of rich and plumby Passori Rosso (£6.70 for a glass, £25.50 for the bottle) worked magic with the ribs. I’d be happy to have either of those dishes (both from the robata grill) again, though next time I might be inclined to have at the 48-day house-aged sirloin (£18.75)
Service during my visit was efficient and expressed genuine interest in my dining experience. The feel of the dining area was comfortable and clean – upscale but approachable.
Roba Bar & Restaurant is located at 34 Norfolk Place, W2 1QW. Find out more at robarestaurant.co.uk.
