Say 'Ciao' To Your New Fave Italian Spot In Publika With Authentic Pizza, Pasta & More
Their carbonara is highly recommended!
By Gowri Chitra — 02 Sep 2024, 04:07 PM
Tucked away in an outdoor corner of Publika lies Positano Risto, a delightful Italian restaurant that'll satisfy your cravings for freshly baked pizza, mouthwatering pasta, creamy risotto and everything in between
The best part? The restaurant adheres to Muslim-friendly dining principles, uses halal-certified ingredients, and is free from pork and alcohol, so Muslim patrons can indulge in bona fide Italian fare with peace of mind.
Positano Risto is making waves with its authentic flavours and innovative dishes, bringing a taste of Italy right to your plate without compromising on halal standards.
The restaurant was co-founded by Hj Mohd Imran Abdullah and Hj Muhd Ishak Ahmad, who found that their dining options were always limited when travelling in non-Muslim countries.
It was these experiences that sparked the idea of creating a dining establishment that not only offers Muslim-friendly Italian culinary delights, but does them so well that even non-Muslims would be coming back for more.
From the moment you step through the door, you'll be greeted with a warm, cosy ambiance that makes you feel like you're in Italy.
And we can tell you from personal experience that the menu is pretty extensive — whether you're a fan of classic flavours or looking to try something new, there's something for everyone.
The menu showcases a blend of timeless Italian favourites alongside reimagined classics, led by executive chef Roberto Mancini, a Rome native and seasoned culinary maestro.
Drawing from his 30 years of experience across Asia's distinguished hotel chains, Chef Roberto infuses Positano Risto's menu with a harmonious blend of classic flavours and contemporary twists.
During our visit to the restaurant, Chef Roberto whipped up a plethora of dishes for us to try, and we can honestly say that we loved every single one!
Watch the video below to see our experience at Positano Risto:
We were particularly impressed by the two pasta dishes we tried — Spaghetti Carbonara and Spaghetti Aglio Olio Ai Frutti Di Mare
The Carbonara came slathered in a creamy Pecorino cheese and egg sauce that enveloped each strand of pasta, topped with loads of crispy pieces of beef bacon and cracked black pepper.
It was rich without being too jelak, especially with the pepper cutting through the creaminess. Definitely a comforting and satisfying dish!
As for the Aglio Olio Ai Frutti Di Mare, it was bursting with flavour, and all the seafood provided — tiger prawns, squid, clams, mussels, and scallops — tasted fresh and juicy. Seafood lovers, this is a must-try for y'all.
Their signature La Stella pizza was a standout, and not just for its unique star shape
Shaped like an eight-point star, this pizza is perfect for sharing.
Featuring a baked sourdough stuffed crust base, it's topped with pepperoni, turkey ham, arugula, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and best of all, heaping mounds of homemade burrata cheese. It's like little slices of Italy right on your plate.
They also have a large variety of mains, including fish, meat, and poultry dishes, like their Pollo Al Rosmarino
This dish makes for a hearty, homey meal, and the portion is substantial enough to satisfy big eaters or be shared by two people.
The oven-baked half chicken is tender and juicy, served alongside roasted potatoes and medley of vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, and zucchini. It comes with a spicy rosemary sauce on the side, giving the dish a delectable kick.
And make sure to leave space in your stomach for lovely desserts such as Tiramisu and Millefoglie
What's unique about Positano Risto's tiramisu is that it's assembled tableside right in front of you! So, you get to watch the classic Italian dessert come to life before you chow it down.
The tiramisu is the restaurant's signature dessert, featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream, and meringue, topped with dark chocolate shavings and dusted with cocoa powder.
Meanwhile, millefoglie may sound unfamiliar to you, but you'll definitely recognise it by its more common name — peach strudel. Enjoy crispy puff pastry layered with juicy peach slices, chocolate chantilly cream, and custard cream.
As for drinks, Positano Risto has a plethora of mocktails, smoothies, milkshakes, juices, coffee, and tea to quench your thirst
We tried four of their most popular mocktails:
- Nojito: Fresh lime, mint leaves, soda
- The Portofino: Strawberry, peach, earl grey
- Lychee di Menta: Lychee puree, lime juice, spearmint, soda
- Azzuro: Wild blueberries, blue lagoon, lemon lime soda
Each drink was delightfully refreshing, and most importantly, not too sweet, complementing the rich Italian food perfectly.
So, the next time those cravings for Italian food hit, give Positano Risto a try!
