Beyond the microwavable spaghetti bolognese and Hawaiian pizza, Malaysia's flourishing food scene can certainly do better when it comes to serving halal Italian food in Kuala Lumpur. A cuisine that's well-admired for its layers of intricate flavours and fresh ingredients, it's no surprise why it remains a favourite among foodies far and wide.
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In the upscale neighbourhood of Solaris Dutamas, the Italian appreciation continues at Positano Risto. Known as one of Singapore's much-loved Italian restaurants, they opened their second outlet at Publika in late 2018, serving a taste of halal Italian cuisine to the Malaysian crowd.
Founded by Muhammad Imran Abdullah and his brother-in-law, Muhammad Ishak Ahmad, Positano Risto was inspired by Imran's personal journey to the beautiful Italian cliffside village, which the restaurant was named after. While fulfilling the need for halal Italian food in Singapore and Malaysia, they looked to the world's best Italian restaurants and find ways to recreate the flavours in a Muslim-friendly way.
"One thing that I find quite frustrating as I travelled across the world is that we, as Muslims, do not have a chain (restaurant) around the world where we can get consistent Western food," shares Imran. "Based on the feedback from Malaysian tourists who dined with us in Singapore, everyone was asking us to open a branch in KL. Alhamdulillah, we managed to find a beautiful spot here in Publika."
Whether you're here for midweek lunch or romantic dinner, find a vacant table at Positano Risto and flip a menu of pasta, grilled meats and seafood, risotto and pizza. Besides having a broader dessert menu, there are a few dishes that are only available in Malaysia including chargrilled calamari with herbs, honey short ribs, duck tortellini, and ice cream brioche.
A noteworthy mention is the lip-smacking honey glazed ribs, grain-fed ribeye steak and the signature short rib that'll leave you humming in delight. On second thought, it'll also make the perfect centrepiece for a romantic dinner for two.
If you're up for Roma-style thin crust pizza, Positano Risto is ready to impress. Whether you enjoy savouring a slice of cheesy Margherita or beefy Pepperoni pizza, you'll experience a burst of fresh tomatoes in every bite. Spicy food lovers can also up the ante with a Diavola pizza that comes with a sprinkle of chilli flakes.
Sinking your teeth into something splurge-worthy is possible when you pick the signature Boston lobster fettuccine. While you fork out the juicy lobster meat, slurp up the pasta that is tossed together with bisque sauce and a plethora of seafood to bring out its best flavours.
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Whether you're treating yourself to a delicious meal or celebrating with your loved ones, explore a journey of Italian flavours at Positano Risto. You may be miles away from the idyllic country but the flavours will bring you closer to the real deal.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Average price of main dishes: RM39
Opening hours: Mon-Thu; 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat; 11AM-11PM; Sun, 11AM-10PM
Address: Positano Risto, Block C1, Lot 2, Level G3, Publika Shopping Gallery, Solaris Dutamas, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 6411 3799