It's been 20 years since KL's Brava brand was first born as a modest pizza parlour in 2003 - it has since evolved into Eatalia by Brava, one of the Klang Valley's most popular places for a casual, comforting Italian meal, first in Desa Sri Hartamas and now also in Desa ParkCity.
We've eaten at Eatalia in Desa Sri Hartamas many times over the past dozen-plus years, but this is our maiden visit to its newer Desa ParkCity outpost, which conveys more contemporary industrial-style vibes in The Waterfront.
As you spot Eatalia here, you'll also sight its familiar brand centrepiece, a 1951 metallic-green Vespa from the personal collection of Eatalia's founders.
Take a table beside the Italian-built scooter or upstairs amid a modern neon-lit setting lined with mirrors on the wall, then browse through the cheerful menu of Italian culinary classics.
From antipasti to insalata, house-made pastas to honest pizzas, meaty main courses to delectable desserts, Eatalia by Brava has something for every Italian food lover, with fresh temptations introduced this year to thrill its longtime fans and newcomers alike.
With a wide menu, we'll need multiple visits to explore the kitchen's complete capabilities. But the antipasti are an ideal introduction, putting Eatalia's spin on crowd favourites.
The Arancini di Zucca (RM24) promise a playful twist on the traditional Italian rice balls, laced inside with morsels of pumpkin for a boost of natural sweetness, brightened with tangy arrabbiata sauce for a well-rounded snack, crisp to the bite and creamy to the chew.
The Polpetta Gigante (RM25) is a giant-sized beef meatball, gorgeously ground for a tender texture, fleshy and savoury, fragrantly enriched with herb-sprinkled arrabbiata sauce.
The remarkable Italian reliance on fresh produce is showcased in the Melanzane Parmigiana (RM26), oven-baked aubergine, beautifully blanketed with tomato salsa, basil and mozzarella.
Other highlights to start with span bresaola to bruschetta, vivid-flavoured, vibrant-coloured.
Fans of homemade pasta will savour Eatalia's selection, showcasing pappardelle, ravioli, lasagna, tortellini and gnocchi in a range of recipes.
The Tortellini Al Salmone (RM45) shines the spotlight on tortellini stuffed smoothly with minced seafood, layered with slices of smoked salmon in lemon cream sauce with capers and dill, a punchy pairing of flavours from land and sea.
The Gnocchi Al Pesto (RM35) does delicious justice to the delicate craft of creating gnocchi, with spinach-hued potato gnocchi that yield a tender, supple bite, bathed in basil pesto sauce and pine nuts for a mouthwatering meat-free marvel.
Dried pasta is also available, with spaghetti, linguine, penne and orecchiette all accounted for, plus risotto too for rice enthusiasts.
Eatalia's roots rest in its origins as Pizza Brava, a legacy it proudly preserves with wood-fired wonders, fresh-baked to order for piping-hot, crackly-crusted pizzas.
Eatalia currently offers more than 20 different pizzas - we could easily try a different one every day for three weeks.
The Anatra Affinicata (RM32 for 10”, RM40 for 12”) is a lip-smacking choice, lusciously layered with smoked duck, buoyed by pear and rocket leaves on tomato sauce and mozzarella, while the Ricotta Di Spinaci (RM27 for 10”, RM35 for 12”) is even more irresistible, with runny-yolked quail eggs that flow luxuriously over the pizza, coated with ricotta and spinach.
Carnivores will adore the Carre Di Agnello (RM98) - the rack of lamb comes in a hearty serving, full-bodied to sink our teeth into, diligently roasted to the right doneness, perfectly partnered with creamy mint sauce, potatoes and baby beans with ricotta for a balanced plate.
Also worthy of a respected trattoria, the Branzino Con Vongole E Cozze (RM45) brings us a moist, flaky fillet of sea bass, precisely pan-fried for a crisp skin, complete with clams, mussels and potatoes in subtly briny vongole sauce, encapsulating the essence of the ocean.
Customers can't go wrong with Eatalia's Italian desserts, expertly and elegantly executed.
The alcohol-free Tiramisu (RM25) hits the spot with mellow layers of flavour, its lovely lushness adorned with almond brittles, cocoa snow and vanilla caramel tuile.
The Strawberry Panna Cotta (RM25) might be even more impressive, gentle-textured with no hint of artificial additives, accentuated with thick strawberry compote, fruits, white chocolate oat crumble and sesame tuile, a sweet and satisfying finish while we contemplate future meals in Eatalia.
Eatalia by Brava
FF-21A, First Floor, The Waterfront @ ParkCity, Persiaran Residen, Desa ParkCity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur.
Daily, 11am-10pm. Tel: 03-6262-2888
Also find Eatalia at Hartamas:
12, Jalan 25/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Daily, 11am-10:30pm. Tel: 03-6211-1660
