Quality, classic Italian fare

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OVER the last few years, Italian restaurants have popped up all over Kuala Lumpur.

One that has been here for the past 13 years is La Risata that is located just off Jalan Ampang and is known to locals and expatriates alike for its authentic Italian food.

La Risata’s menu has maintained its classic dishes and evolved very little over the years. Regular patrons at this cosy restaurant with its deep red walls often order their favourite dishes without a glance at the menu.

Today, local chef Ming heads the kitchen and whips up the Chef’s Special Menu weekly, giving diners the option of trying something new that is still classically Italian.

The outlet is perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. Recently extended to include a covered patio, La Risata seats up to 60 comfortably.

Tender beef: Filetto Di Manzo Al Cipolle ‘grilled NZ wagyu beef eye-round served with saute eggplant wedges with parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes’ was the Chef’s Special

One can opt for a speedy meal or enjoy four or five courses with lively conversation over a good bottle of wine, the way the Italians do.

This is the place for a good pizza, with 15 different types to choose from. I love the smell of freshly baked bread, and here the pizzas are served piping hot from the wood-fired oven.

We tasted two kinds of Pizza Bianco (white sauce base). The Chef’s Special had a base that was thin, light and nicely browned; with a smear of white sauce, and a smattering of smoked duck, salty anchovies and fresh peppery rocket, it was a simple yet tasty pizza.

The Pizza Carbonara offered a meatier flavour, with beef bacon, mushrooms, melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese.

We moved on to two kinds of Pizza Rosso (thin crust with a tomato sauce base). Anchovy lovers should try the Pizza Romano with a tangy and fragrant combination of sizable anchovies, fresh basil, tomato, mozzarella and parmesan shavings. Meat lovers must not miss the classic Pizza Pepperoni, which is comforting and satisfying.

Starters include timeless Italian salads and soups. The antipasti selection is extensive, with familiar favourites like bruschetta, carpaccio and baked aubergine.

For a good sharing platter with a little bit of everything, try the Antipasti Misto – a platter of grilled mushroom, deep-fried calamari rings, beef carpaccio and garlic crostini with chicken liver pâté.

The Primma Piatti consists of a variety of traditional pasta dishes.

A house speciality is the Ravioli de Pesce, a freshly made salmon ravioli in a creamy salmon sauce. You can opt for a rich and meaty Lasange di Carne or a light and creamy Risotto Ai Funghi E Parmigiano.

My favourite was the Spaghetti Con Arragosta (Spaghetti with Lobster), priced reasonably at RM38.

The spaghetti is cooked al dente, with just enough bite, and each strand is coated in a dark sauce of reduced lobster stock, garlic, chilli and olive oil. The aroma was intoxicating, the sauce rich, with fresh chunks of fleshy lobster interspersed with the pasta.

At this point of the meal in Italy, one would order a Secondi (main course). From the Secondi di Mare (Seafood), we enjoyed the Branzino Alla Griglia – a whole sea bass grilled and seasoned with oregano, lemon and olive oil, with hearty potato patties.

If you fancy some meat from the Secondi di Carne, there is a choice of beef, lamb and chicken.

The Filetto Di Manzo Al Cipolle, the special for the week, was a portion of New Zealand wagyu beef eye-round, grilled and served with sautéed eggplant wedges, parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes.

Get your coffee and sweet fix with a scoop of Gelato served in a shot of espresso.

Try the warming Crema Catalana, a baked egg flan with a caramelised sugar topping, or indulge in the Zucotto Liqueur Dome Cake Filled with Chocolate and Vanilla Cream with Almond, Hazelnut and Chocolate Bits.

A meal at La Risata can be anything you want it to be.

For a meal that is cosy and intimate, big and boisterous or relaxed and laid back, this is a place to unwind after a long day at work. Its quality, affordable, fuss-free Italian food with great tastes guarantees there will not be any waste.

Try La Risata for yourself! Starting Monday Sept 21, tune in to The Big Red Food Review, Eleven2Three with Aly to win RM100 vouchers.

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