Italian Restaurant Avenue K – Natalina Italian Kitchen
Words: Jacob Weber
Photos: Han Sen Hau
“Fly me to the moon, let’s go dine at Natalina’s…” — wait, no, that’s not the line.
But hey, it could be. After all, Natalina Italian Kitchen is named after Frank Sinatra’s beloved mother, Natalina “Dolly” Garaventa, who was an influential figure in the life of one of the most popular entertainers of all time.
And in fact, you’ll find the excellent Frank’s Bar in the next room, through a secret door at the back of Natalina. So if you’re out on the town for dinner and drinks, the Sinatras have got you sorted.
Natalina Italian Kitchen is a cosy, classy Italian restaurant on the third floor of Avenue K. There’s a classic continental elegance in the air, with black-and-white framed photos decorating the exposed brick walls, their subjects peering down over white marble-effect tables and shiny brass table lamps. Well-dressed waiters wield massive pepper grinders with the grace of samurai warriors. Plush green velvet seating booths or small tables for two are perfectly intimate set-ups for date nights and small groups, and there’s a private room for larger gatherings.
Under the expert eye of Head Chef Stefano Maria La Penna, Natalina serves traditional Italian recipes with a modern international twist, a creative blend of nostalgia and novelty without any cheap tricks. Chef Stefano trained at three-Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito’s academy in Italy and honed his skills in the high-class ski resorts in the French Alps. He even spent time cooking in the Caribbean to push his culinary knowledge even further. We know we’re in good hands — genuine, authentic, ‘proper Italian’ hands.
Italian Restaurant Avenue K Menu
The table bread is a beautiful warm focaccia, with olive oil and tapenade and a spicy dip on the side. And the table toast is a glass of house Prosecco (ba-dum-tss). The Il Fresco Prosecco Spumante Brut DOC from Villa Sandi (RM50/glass; RM350/bottle) is a superb aperitif, crisp and fresh and full of fruits, with mango, green apple and pear dancing on the palate.
The Burrata (RM52) is freshly imported from Puglia, served with a wild rocket salad and a bed of both fresh and confit tomatoes dressed in aged balsamic vinegar. Told you it was proper Italian. It’s a delicious and well-balanced dish, with the rich and creamy cheese contrasting nicely against the sharp salad dressing.
I’m not usually a fan of octopus, but I’ll make an exception for Pulpo in Umido (RM42), a slow-cooked mini octopus in a rich puttanesca sauce. Lather it onto the crusty toasted sourdough bread, and you’ve got yourself some high-quality comfort food, with a touch of French cuisine in the bisque to support the classic Italian tomato sauce.
The Capesante Gratinate (RM65) is an Instagram-worthy dish that tastes as good as it looks. Three baked scallops, infused with Mediterranean flavours and served in their shells, are accompanied by fresh caviar and an interesting seafood-based stuffing (almost otak-otak style). The scallops could be a little bigger, but the different flavours add welcome depth and dimension to this dish.
The house white wine does a great job of washing the seafood starters down. We choose a Pinot Grigio Love Story 2022 from Sartori di Verona (RM40/glass; RM190/bottle), a light and crisp wine with delicate tropical fruit notes and a pleasant acidity.
And then a real piece of Italian artwork arrives at the table: a gigantic Calzone (RM58) with a perfect ‘leopard skin’ burn on the crust that tells you it’s been in the oven for exactly the right amount of time. It smells incredible. It tastes even better. There’s a generous filling of turkey ham, mushrooms, and two types of cheese (mozzarella and scamorza), which combine into a glorious gooey and seriously rewarding meaty mouthful.
This evening, we have the privilege of previewing some new items which will be here in time for Christmas. We recommend you’re here to welcome them.
First, a Tortello di Burrata e Pesto al Basilico: hand-made tortelli stuffed with fresh Italian burrata, served in a basil pesto with pine nuts. It’s light and breezy with an excellent texture, pleasant and gentle on the palate; a great vegetarian option.
I personally prefer the Tagliatelle Ripiene, because this hand-crafted pasta is stuffed with a four-hour slow-cooked wagyu bolognese ragu layered with mozzarella, parmesan cheese and fresh creamy Bechamel. It’s rich, nourishing and comforting: perfect for a cold white Christmas. (Never mind the fact we live in the tropics.)
It goes particularly well with the house red wine, Castello di Querceto Chianti (2021) made with Sangiovese grapes, known as the “blood of Jupiter.” It must be powerful stuff. I like it a lot; it’s bold and juicy, brimming with red fruits and balanced by a nice earthy, oaky undercurrent.
The Chianti also makes good friends with the Filetto d’Agnello in crosta verde: lamb loin charred on the powerful Josper charcoal grill, coated in a green herb and mustard breadcrumb, served with a 49-layer potato truffle millefeuille and carrot, finished with lamb jus. The meat is juicy and pink and perfectly cooked, and the accoutrements all bring out the best in each other.
For something a little lighter but no less satisfying, the Baccalà alla Zucca con Spinaci Aglio e Peperoncino is a great option. It’s a generous fillet of black cod charred on the Josper and served on a comfortable bed of pumpkin puree and fresh spinach sauteed with garlic and a hint of chilli. The fleshy white fish and the rich pumpkin puree complement each other perfectly, and the seasoning is absolutely spectacular.
Desserts
We’re back to the classics for desserts, for which we’re grateful — but only because we don’t want to miss the best tiramisu in town.
Chef Stefano hasn’t tinkered with tradition on this occasion. Natalina’s Tiramisu (RM45) is exactly the way this classic Italian dessert should be done, with creamy layers of mascarpone and ladyfingers soaked in espresso (and more than a hint of liquor), dusted in rich cacao powder. Bellissimo.
The Millefoglie al Caramello Salato e Mandarino (RM45) is a marvel as well. Delicate and crispy puff pastry is served with a salted caramel ganache and topped with mandarin gel and caramelised mandarin slices. It’s as bold and sweet as it sounds, with the tangy citrus giving a pleasant sharpness against the rich caramel.
Again, sticking to tradition, we finish with a round of Limoncello Shots (RM28/glass). Some things really should never change …
Reasons to visit Natalina Italian Kitchen: classic Italian recipes with a creative twist and high-quality imported ingredients; extensive menu of authentic pizza, pasta and antipasto; wide selection of meat and fish main courses cooked in the Josper charcoal grill; smart and friendly service; ideal for smaller groups or date night, with a great wine and spirits list to suit the occasion.
Natalina Italian Kitchen
Italian Restaurant Avenue K
Avenue K, Lot 06 – Level 03, 156, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Link to Natalina Italian Kitchen on Google Maps
@natalinaitalian @cinnamongroup
*Vegetarian options
*Pork-free
Opening Hours
Daily: 12-10 pm
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