Ms. Jazz Reviews: La Risata @ Medan Damansara

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 Grandmas cooking- simple yet enjoyable and memorable.

This probably explains why I personally do not prefer il lido and garibaldi (I couldnt 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, Im 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 maininterior finishesemphasis 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.

Ive 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.

Antipasti Misti (RM42) an assorted platter consisting of grilled mushroom, deep fried calamari rings, beef carpaccio, garlic crostini with chicken liver pate. Unfortunately the starter was a letdown, most of the items were forgettable, but I was told the beef carpaccio was decent, and I personally like the chicken liver pate that goes well with the garlic crostini.

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 R! agu Dgne (RM28) freshly made pasta ribbons with lamb ragu.It wascommented that overall a nicely executed dish, the texture of the pasta were nicely done butR 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 Ive had in a long time.

Sicilian Bombe (RM38) is as sinful as it gets, we enjoyed every bit of this, and be it the presentation or ! the tast e, it was well executed. The Lemon Meringue was filled with luscious lemon cream that was flambed upon serving. Highly recommended to try.

Their wine list, although not extensive provides many choices of affordable new world wine. Our choice of the night Fontana Candida Frascati (RM110) from italy was aneasy and light drink, wegurgle 2 bottles of them.

My diners:

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

Ratings:

Food: 7.5/10

(can't go wrong with theirpizza and pasta)

Ambience: 7.5/10

(good for friends/ family gatherings)

Service: 6/10

Presentation of food: 6.5/10

Overall: 7/10

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La Risata

Damansara Branch

128 Jalan Kasah

Medan Damansara

Tel: 03-20959572

Ampang Branch

16, Persiaran ampang

55000 KL

Tel: 03-42526269