After months of anticipation, Bar Italia has finally opened, barely a two-minute stroll from Changkat Bukit Bintang.
Paolo Guiati's outlet has three levels, each offering a different setting. The ground floor is kept plain and simple, with a bar that's reminiscent of Nero Teca and a gelato freezer with lots of mouthwatering flavours to choose from.
The second level is cosier, more colourful and slightly quieter, providing a more appropriate ambience for a romantic date.
The open-air rooftop is my fave section. We adjourned here after our main courses and were fortunate that it was a cool, breezy night. Nothing like sipping wine under the starlight. The restaurant opens through 1 a.m. daily, so customers could spend hours here every evening.
The foundation of the menu is pasta, with many tantalizingly unique options. Portions are fairly hearty; we'll have to return soon for a proper dinner, since we were only here for supper and had very little stomach space left.
Complimentary appetisers of crunchy calamari.
Ziti in cream sauce with prosciutto. A rustic dish that was a tad too salty. Still worth ordering though; it's not often that we see ziti on a menu in KL.
Mezzalune of ricotta cheese with stewed rabbit. A wholesome, unpretentious dish that one might find in a Tuscan village. Rabbit meat rocks!
Baby lamb liver stew. A special that isn't on the regular menu, so ask for it! Very strong-tasting though, so it's best reserved for offal lovers only.
Nero D'Avola Vino Rosso Sicilia Tenimenti IGT 2005.
Bar Italia,
Jalan Berangan.
