When a new restaurant opens its doors in The Villages, it will immediately draw the curious. So when Roberto’s Ristorante and Pizzeria opened July 25 at Pinellas Plaza, it was no surprise to see long lines out front.

Owner Roberto Manco’s reputation had preceded him before he opened his own eatery. He had worked for years as executive chef at his brother Giovanni’s namesake restaurant at Southern Trace Plaza, also in The Villages. Roberto, who came to America from Naples, Italy, had been at his brother’s restaurant for more than a decade. He understood what Villagers enjoy.