A big crowd turned out on Sunday, May 1 to welcome a new, but familiar face to the Bristol dining scene.

Roberto’s, which recently reopened under the ownership of Portside’s Richie Corrente, has opened Roberto’s Cafe in the restaurant’s adjacent function space. Offering coffee, muffins, pastries and breakfast sandwiches from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and lunch offerings including classic Italian paninis, subs, and salads, Roberto’s Cafe will be open daily except Mondays.

The new venture is a collaboration between Corrente and Paul Palumbo, aka Uncle Paul, who started working at Aidan’s with Richie’s mother Betty Anne, back when Aidan’s first opened three decades ago. “We were the best of friends…and we are still great friends,” he said.

Corrente was about six years old at the time. “I became Uncle Paul to Richie, and he still calls me that. Now I’m Uncle Paul to everyone.”
Palumbo’s career in the corporate world took him across the country, from Ohio and California, but he’s always found his way back to Rhode Island to help his friends, whether managing at Aidan’s or helping Corrente get Portside off the ground, and now, as co-owner of Roberto’s Cafe.

“I wasn’t necessarily planning to stay here this time, but it looks like I am now,” Palumbo said with a laugh.

At Sunday’s opening, people enjoyed complimentary samples of menu items and live music, spilling out to the outdoor sidewalk seating under sunny skies. Their first officially-open day, Tuesday, saw steady traffic; and they look forward to more as the word (and the summer crowd) gets out.

“Bristol is such a unique, wonderful community,” said Palumbo. “It just pulls you back.”