Opened since 1999, La Risata Damansara really needs no introduction. Located in the quiet suburb of Medan Damansara, La Risata has garnered a legion of fans, judging from how busy the restaurant is, on a week day. Its red bricks and raw cement walls exude a nice warm rustic ambience – perfect for chilling out over drinks and just as good for a family meal.
La Risata’s hearty authentic Italian dishes are the drawing factors for its popularity. The wood fire oven is constantly busy churning out delicious thin and crispy pizzas and seriously, La Risata’s pizzas are simply some of the best I’ve had. More of that later.
Right now, let’s take a look at La Risata’s Valentine’s Day Special Menu. The cosy and intimate setting of the restaurant is just perfect for a romantic meal. Priced at RM110++ per person, the special set is pretty good value for money.
The starter of Home-made Smoked Salmon Carpaccio served with Avruga Caviar, Rocket Salad, Quail Eggs and Cherry Tomatoes is so lavish-looking. Dot every piece of the smoked salmon with the briny caviar lining some rocket leaves and you’ll savour an incredible burst of flavours and textures.
Next comes the delicate Raviolone – traditional Bergamo Raviolo stuffed with Lamb, Biscuits and Cheese served in Butter & Sage Sauce and garnished with Mosto Cotto Sauce.
For the mains, choose either the Tonno Rosso – Seared Red Tuna Loin served with Leek Risotto, Rose Jam and Black Ink Salted Butter or the Milanese style Braised Ossobuco served with Polenta “Concia” and Gremalata Sauce. Both these dishes scream “tradition” and the chefs have done well to concoct the black ink salted butter, which is almost a conversation stopper. The red tuna loin is executed perfectly with the pink moist centre.
The braised beef ossobuco is another noteworthy dish. A typical Milanese dish, the Ossobuco is fork tender, every bite of the gelatinous soft shank dipped in the Gremalata sauce is immensely satisfying.
Dessert is the Zabaione al Cioccolato – Cold Chocolate Sabayon on Strawberry Salad paired with Whipped Cream and Hazelnut Crumble. Enough said.
Make your bookings early for this value-for-money set.
OK, back to La Risata’s pizzas…these are absolute must-have’s if you are ever in this restaurant. The crust is thin and crispy and the toppings are just divine. Let the photos speak…
Pizza D’Anatra (RM36) – smoked duck, rocket, anchovies, caramelised onions and mozzarella
Pizza Fruittì Di Mare (RM31) – mixed seafood, garlic, basil, tomato and mozzarella
Pizza Pera E Gorgonzola (RM30) – pear shavings, rocket salad, gorgonzola, mozzarella and walnuts
If you prefer some light bites, the Antipasti Misti (RM42, good for 2-4) is a selection of their popular antipasti – grilled mushrooms, deep fried calamari rings, beef carpaccio, garlic costini with chicken liver pate. The pate is scrumptious – you may have to ask for more of those deliciously crunchy garlic costinis!
I had their Capellini Al Nero Con Fruittì Di Mare (RM35) – Angelhair pasta with prawns, squids and roasted cherry tomatoes in squid ink sauce. The pasta’s nicely al dente, just the way I like it and this is definitely a repeat must-order for me. This is but one of the pastas on their very long list of choices – it’s easy to pick favourites from there.
The Pesce Alle Melanzañe Piccante (RM38) – Pan-fried Barramundi Fillet topped with saute’ed eggplant, anchovy, garlic, chilli flakes and pine nuts served with julien’ed vegetables is simply good.
The fish’s cooked just right, rendering the sweet fillet with a soft bouncy flaky texture that’s hard to resist. And, don’t you just love the colours?
Agnello Alla Griglia (lamb tenderloin) (RM56) – Grilled chilled Australian lamb tenderloin with fennel and black pepper crust, served with mashed chickpea and vegetable caponata finished with red wine reduction. This is a meat dish that’s easy to love – juicy tender meat eaten with a tasty grainy mashed chickpea.
For desserts, the Sicilian Bombe (RM38, good for 2) – meringue covered liquored sponge filled with lemon cream flambeed with brandy – cold on the inside and hot outside.
Panettone Bread & Pudding
Cannoli (RM16) – Sicilian fried pastry shell filled with sweet ricotta cream dipped in chocolate and pistachio bits. Initially I found this rather strange but after one bite, I can understand what the fuss was all about.
My favourite dessert in La Risata here is their Zucotto (RM18) – Liquer dome cake filled with chocolate and vanilla cream with almonds, hazelnuts and chocolate bits. The liquer makes all the difference, just for that nice kick.
La Risata
128 Jalan Kasah
Medan Damansara
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2095-9572
Lunch: 12.00pm – 2.30pm
Dinner: 6.30pm – 10.30pm