New York expats often long for familiar items like New York pizza. While many pizza restaurants in LA claim to offer New York pizza, the opening of Roberta’s intrigued me because they started their operation in New York City’s Brooklyn borough.
I missed opportunities to sample Roberta’s LA pop-ups and I was glad to see that they opened up a permanent location at the trendy Platform in Culver City. Roberta’s is situated in the eastmost area of the Platform opposite from the Van Leeuwen ice cream shop.
Outdoor seating is extremely popular, but I prefer the bright and visually interesting interior. The music is retro – they were playing The Doors, the last time I was there. The walls and ceilings are lined with geometric patterns and the bar stools are pastel colors reminding me of Curaçao in the Carribean. From the bar, you can watch the action of the chefs preparing pizzas.
Roberta’s is known for their pizza and most people order at least one. The pizza is Neapolitan-style and you can eat it just like a New Yorker: take each piece, fold it in half lengthwise and eat it using one hand. Eating a slice this way is part of the New York culture.
The Bee Sting is one of Roberta’s most popular pizzas. It is simply made with tomato sauce, mozzarella, soppressata, chili, and a touch of honey. The spicy and sweet combo is highly addictive and you won’t limit yourself to a single slice. I’m surprised that other restaurants don’t copy this popular pizza.
Littleneck clams gave the Ursula Parade pizza a nice sweet and salty taste. Clams, mozzarella, parmigiano, calabrian chili, Italian parsley, garlic, and lemon juice are layered on top of a reduced clam stock thickened with cream.
The menu varies and on one occasion, I found a sandwich version of their Wagyu Roast Beef Plate. Biting into the sandwich reminded me of eating a French baguette – nice crunch on the outside, fluffy inside and a wonderful aroma like it was just made. I found out that they source their bread from Bub and Grandma’s.
The use of Persian cucumbers in their “Smashed Cucumber Salad” eliminated the bitterness of a regular cucumber. It was tossed with fresh basil and finely chopped toasted sunflower seeds. The Green Goddess dressing gave this a nice creamy taste.
Other items on the menu include a prosciutto plate, an assortment of gourmet cheese, and marinated olives. Their weekend brunch menu adds items such as baked eggs, Nueske bacon, and pork hash.
Modern Times IPA 
Ioppa Nebbiolo Rusin 
Amaro CioCiaro
Roberta’s has four California craft beers on tap and a number of wines available by the glass or bottle. Their craft cocktails veer towards Mexican with the use of tequila and mezcal. The Ioppa Rose had a nice amount of acidity and paired nicely with the Smashed Cucumber Salad. I even enjoyed a glass of Amaro CioCiaro for dessert, a sweet bitter orange aperitif.
They only accept credit cards for payment and they don’t validate parking.
While Roberta’s doesn’t have a child’s menu, many families drop by to dine on their pizzas. Whether you dine solo, with a friend or with your family, Roberta’s is an excellent dining destination.
Roberta’s LA at the Platform, 8810 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
robertasla.com