Hearty servings

If you’re really hungry, Tan Bee Hong suggests you head for the new pizzeria at Desa Petaling where portions are satisfyingly huge

WHAT’S this? “Err waiter, I ordered a 9-inch pizza funghi, not a 12-inch,” I say.

“No, no mistake,” assures the waiter at Pizza La Fontana, smiling broadly as he explains that I’ve got an upgrade... at no extra cost at all.

Well, now isn’t that something? Magically, the smile on the waiter’s face is now plastered on mine.

Opened just a month ago, Pizza La Fontana is the only pizzeria in the small suburb of Desa Petaling and already, it’s gaining a reputation by word of mouth for big servings at very affordable prices.

It’s a no-frills outlet. No chandeliers. No soft lighting. No fancy tables and upholstered chairs. But it’s clean and cheerful.

TOPPED TO ORDER

What’s the specialty here? Pizza naturally. “We make the dough fresh daily and the pizza is popped into the oven only after the customer places the order,” says restaurateur Jim Quah.

All pizza are thin-crust and priced at RM15 except for pizza focaccia which is RM12. There are beef, chicken, seafood and vegetarian toppings, with 12 varieties of pizza to choose from and if customers have special requests for toppings, the kitchen staff is always obliging.

I rather like the funghi or mushroom topping. It’s simple, with button mushrooms combined with chopped tomato and cheese. Most of the topping combinations are simple but invariably, all have tomato and cheese while some have capsicum, pineapple, onion or chilli with herbs like basil.

There is an unusual combination of local spinach with sliced chicken. There’s also a tasty pizza topped with fish fillet, tomato and herbs. The fish is soft and juicy and goes well with the tomato.

Earlier, when the waiter had suggested a calzone with meat sauce spaghetti, I was outraged. Did I hear him correctly?

Apparently I did. Suppressing a snigger, I asked for one. When the calzone appears, I cut it in half and strands of spaghetti chicken bolognese burst out.

Not your regular calzone and definitely an acquired taste. But, according to Quah, the residents of Desa Petaling love it. He says: “They enjoy the experience of having both pasta and pizza at one go.” I can do without the carb overload but for perpetually hungry youngsters, it’s total satisfaction.

The other option is pasta, with a choice of spaghetti or fettuccine — all at RM15. These come with 14 types of tomato or cream based sauces that include vegetarian, chicken, beef, mixed seafood and clams.

MEATY MAINS

Lamb chops (RM15) and tenderloin steak (RM18) are popular choices here. The grilled lamb is well marinated and I don’t even need the black pepper sauce provided. You can also ask for mint sauce instead.

For those who like fish, pesce Milanese (RM15) or pesce del giono (RM13) are delicate offerings of dory fish fillet, breaded and fried.

The former, topped with black olives and parsley as well as chopped tomato and pineapple, comes on a bed of sauteed spinach.

For added fibre, all main meals are served with a side salad of lettuce, cucumber and carrot tossed with an interestingly delicious dressing of balsamic vinegar to which is added chopped parsley and chilli.
If you prefer chicken, there’s grilled chicken chop or chicken breast stuffed with sausage in a creamy pesto sauce.

Apples & bananas

I am told that residents here prefer ice cream for dessert, especially banana split but there’s also hot apple pie (RM9) with... ice cream of course. Be warned though. Like everything else in the menu, the serving is large and there’s more than enough to share for two.

Pizza La Fontana

Where

7 Jalan 3/125D, Desa Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
off KL-Seremban Highway

Tel: 03-9054 6113

Opening hours
Tuesday to Sunday. 10.30am to 10.30pm. Closed Monday

Getting there
Turn left at junction to SPark mall on KL-Seremban Highway. Then turn right. The outlet is a short distance from KK Mart.

What’s cooking
Italian-style cuisine

Must try
Pizza

You’ll pay
Pizza and pasta at RM15

The loo
Clean

Service
Attentive

Overall verdict
HHH
Must try

Pesce Milanese with with black olives, chopped tomato and pineapple

Lamb chops with side salad

Dory fish pizza with tomato and cheesePictures by KHOO SU TING

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