There is always this very question floating around. Where can we find good Italian food in KL? Often people will automatically search for the hotel-based Italian restaurants, Favola, Prego just to name a few for the assurance of good quality, professionalism, and up market ambience.
But to me, I always find myself preferring Italian under a cozier dining environment, where talks should not be whispered, where you can laugh gaily and clink your wine glasses while enjoying those earthy and intimate servings. Think Grandma’s cooking- simple yet enjoyable and memorable.
This probably explains why I personally do not prefer il lido and garibaldi (I couldn’t even bother writing about my visit there). They may be the celebrity of Italian cuisines in KL, with those huge names behind their backs; naturally we would expect delivery no less than high-standard.
But truly it is the less known that could easily please. And to that, I’m referring to La Risata, whom has shine its presence long ago on the suburban areas such as Ampang and Medan damansara. Perfect neighbourhood trattorias that has all the elements I looked for in an Italian restaurant. The interior is casual and warm with the main interior finishes emphasis on bricks and woods. I enjoyed the pleasant scent of woodfire pizzas drifted into the dining room. There was quite a good turnout of patronage despite being on a random weekday.
I’ve heard and read about ravish comments on their pasta and pizzas while their mains remain at the subtle background.
The wood pizzas on the menu vary between the bountiful toppings down to those screaming simplicity, all ranges from RM25+ odds. Between the Pizza Magherita (RM22) topped with tomato sauce, cheese and oregano (add basil +rm3) and Pizza Chorizo (RM28) that comes bestow with chorizo, olives, peppers and feta, our favorite goes out to the Pizza Magherita, probably due to the lesser toppings that created a nice crispy base.
Fettucine all albese (RM30) freshly made targlitelli with heavy parmesan cheese sauce infused with truffle oil. No complaints on the pasta itself, the sauce was too unrelenting rich but if you like thick rich sauce, perhaps this is for you.
Parpadelle al Ragu D’gne (RM28) freshly made pasta ribbons with lamb ragu. It was commented that overall a nicely executed dish, the texture of the pasta were nicely done but R wished there were more lamb chunks in this dish
Salmone Alla Griglia Con Pesto(RM36) pan grilled salmon with pesto sauce served with a vegetable caponata
Bracioline di Agnello (RM34) grilled lamb chops with spinach and sauteed potatoes
My Gnocchi Chorizo (RM27) was absolutely mind blowing. The homemade potato dumplings was not the least stodgy. Perfectly fluffy texture and with lamb chorizo sausages & ricotta cheese and red pepper sauce with a hint of spiciness and the rich robust smoky flavours were just heavenly. Definitely a sublime experience and arguably the best gnocchi I’ve had in a long time.
All in all, La Risata satisfy its long term clientele with no-fuss service and delivery of consistent quality of food. We will be back- again and again. Our bill came up to approx RM110 per person with wine
