Roman style pizza and crispy ‘pan focaccia'... by way of a tasting menu at Pizza Day in Taman Desa, KL
Me, I am savouring a slice topped with marinated Italian mushrooms, tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella cheese – nice but nothing earth-shattering, you say.
Ah, but what makes this an uncommon slice isn't its toppings but its shape: it's square (a rectangle, if I'm being precise) and unbelievably crispy.
So crispy – not brittle, but light and confident in its crunch – that the Italians even have a word for it: scrocchiarella. It's a key trait of Roman style pizzas.
Imported premium Italian ingredients form part of the restaurant's décor.
Which makes it extra wonderful is that I am not in the Italian capital but enjoying this in KL, specifically the green enclave of Taman Desa.
Truth be told, I haven't seen a rectangular pizza slice since my days of backpacking in Italy. It was in Rome, together with two Americans (both from Chicago and both called Mike; and yes, we could tell them apart) and my closest Italian friend Manuel.
It helps, of course, having a local explaining why the pizza slice was square – it was the Roman style, called pizza al taglio (literally 'pizza by the cut' in Italian), sold by the slice thus easy for customers to take away and eat on the go.
Amuse-bouche' (left). Roman-style pizza is typically served in square or rectangular slices (right).
Years passed and it's still the more recognisable Neapolitan style of pizzas (i.e. the triangular slices) that continue to reign worldwide. So consider me thrilled for a chance to taste and perhaps relive a part of my misspent youth.
The place in question is Pizza Day, opened by Antonio 'Tony' Delachi just a few months ago in a quiet corner of Taman Desa.
Focaccia Provola & Cotto Ham.
The Italian restaurateur also owns Heritage Pizza in The Row KL, so we have high expectations of ingredients used.
True to form, Pizza Day's kitchen is stocked with premium Italian-sourced goods: organic wheat flour; soft and milky fior di latte, a fresh mozzarella cheese made from cow's milk; and sauce made from imported tomatoes. Even the dough undergoes 48 hours of fermentation before it's ready to be shaped and baked.
What stands out is that, in addition to the typical á la carte fare, diners can also choose to enjoy the restaurant's Degustazione menu – basically a multi-course chef's selection not unlike a Japanese omakase, albeit with Roman pizzas.
Pizza Fior di Latte, Potato & Pancetta.
We begin, not with the full-sized pizzas, but a couple of amuse-bouches: Two slender, crisp wafers topped with a velvety layer of stracchino cheese. One is paired with 24-month aged Parma ham, mellow and nutty; the other drizzled with lavender honey.
Tiny bites that offer an elegant juxtaposition between savoury and floral-sweet. A dainty prelude to alternating courses of pizzas and pan focaccia (focaccia bread) to come.
The first course, if you will, was the aforementioned Pizza Funghi. The mushrooms, marinated until tender, are balanced by a light tang of tomato and the mild creaminess of fior di latte.
Focaccia Burrata Nduja & Rocket.
Then our first pan focaccia arrives. The Focaccia Provola & Cotto Ham is served as triangular sandwiches, with ribbons of Italian cooked ham (prosciutto cotto) atop a layer of smoky provola, a type of aged curd-cheese.
This is followed by our second pizza – Fior Di Latte, Potato & Pancetta – which is all about textures and contrasts: Paper-thin slices of imported potato contribute a buttery crunch; the smoked pancetta, an assertive hit of salt; and it's all pulled together by the mozzarella again with its light touch.
Our next pan focaccia is the Burrata, 'Nduja & Rocket; an item that isn't on the á la carte menu. This is part of the appeal of a chef's selection, after all; little surprises like this – rich burrata cheese; fiery 'nduja, a spreadable fermented pork sausage from Calabria; and a much-needed peppery lift from the rocket leaves.
Pizza Margherita.
Finally a bona fide classic although with a twist: our Pizza Margherita has the traditional smear of tomato sauce, but instead of circles of mozzarella and whole basil leaves, these are cut into rectangular strips, perhaps to accentuate the pizza's Roman shape, as it were.
Time for sweet endings and our desserts. There are three options on offer today – the Degustazione menu isn't fixed so items are rotated – Homemade Tiramisu, Calamansi Sorbet and Bacio Mini Ice Cream.
A trio of desserts.
As there are exactly three of us at our table, we had one of each and shared. We almost didn't need the desserts, to be honest, as we were quite stuffed by that stage.
A tasting menu of pizzas and pan focaccia is a fine idea but make sure you come with a very empty stomach!
Pizza Day
53G, Jalan 1/109E,
Taman Desa Business Park, KL
Open Fri-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-10pm; Mon-Thu closed
Pop-up at Heritage Pizza KL (Lot 26 - G, Jalan Doraisamy):
Mon-Fri 12:15pm-3pm
Phone: 013-329 1918
IG: https://www.instagram.com/pizzaday_kl/
• This is an independent review where the writer paid for the meal.
• Follow us on Instagram @eatdrinkmm for more food gems.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
K-drama actors Lee Jong-suk, Moon Ga-young to meet fans in Malaysia for ‘Law and the City' August finale
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Malaysian fans of Korean dramas may soon get the rare opportunity to meet two well-known Korean actors in person. According to a report by entertainment portal Pinkvilla, the lead stars of the ongoing tvN series Law and the City, Lee Jong-suk and Moon Ga-young, are set to attend a special screening event in Malaysia on August 10. This will reportedly coincide with the show's final episode. The event was said to be organised by the show's production team and will bring together over 1,000 fans for a live viewing and a press conference featuring the actors. Pinkvilla also reported that Malaysia was chosen in response to high fan demand and the series' growing popularity on local streaming platforms. Law and the City portrays the lives of young salaried lawyers navigating the high-pressure environment of Seoul's Seocho legal district. Lee Jong-suk plays Ahn Ju-hyeong, while Moon Ga-young portrays Kang Hui-ji. The supporting cast includes Kang You-seok, Ryu Hye-young and Im Seong-jae.
Free Malaysia Today
4 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
When club musicians fall, Danny Sandhu is there to catch them
Danny Sandhu (left) handing over the cash to cancer-stricken Johan Chong after the fundraiser last week. (Ice pic) PETALING JAYA : Danny Sandhu has never played an instrument on stage, nor belted out a ballad beneath the glow of bar lights. But ask any seasoned musician from Malaysia's club circuit, and his name brings immediate warmth and gratitude. For the past four years, Danny, 65, has quietly taken on a role most wouldn't expect: a relentless fundraiser and friend to musicians and deejays in crisis. From health emergencies to financial ruin, Danny, an events specialist by trade, has made it his personal mission to be there when the music stops, and the silence of hardship sets in. 'I just can't stand by when people who've given us joy are struggling in the shadows,' Danny said, his voice measured but resolute. 'They've played through the years for us, through heartbreaks, celebrations, quiet nights and loud ones. When they fall, we have to lift them.' Danny's partner, Ice, is a singer in the local club scene, a window into the unseen struggles that many musicians endure. Gigs are inconsistent. Pay is low. There's little to no social safety net. Behind every soulful tune is often a story of sacrifice and resilience. Danny's proximity to this world spurred him into action. Danny Sandhu has raised over RM300,000 for musicians, deejays, a kindergarten, and refugee communities. (Ice pic) Over the past four years, Danny has helped raise close to RM300,000 for various causes, thanks largely to the generosity of financial institution ICAP Sdn Bhd, which has strongly supported his mission of compassion. Of that total, ICAP contributed over RM220,000 specifically to assist club artistes, while Danny's friend, Justin Cheng, personally donated an additional RM50,000. Danny's collaboration with ICAP also extended beyond the music scene. A kindergarten run by the Canossian Sisters in Jinjang, Kuala Lumpur, received RM36,000, while ACTS (A Call to Serve) was given RM10,000 to support sick refugees and asylum seekers. His most recent initiative hit close to home: veteran keyboardist Johan Chong Mohamad Chong, who formed a duo with Ice, was diagnosed with stage three cancer. Last Friday, the Saints Bar in Taman Sri Hartamas filled with fellow musicians, patrons, and strangers-turned-friends. The night raised over RM15,000, a lifeline for Johan's ongoing treatment, and the total now stands at about RM21,000. 'This isn't charity. It's responsibility,' Danny added. 'These musicians and deejays are part of our cultural soul. They deserve dignity, not just applause.' It was in January 2021 that Danny helped launch 'Lend a Helping Hand' in collaboration with the Club Artistes' division of the Malaysian Artistes' Association (Karyawan). The initiative was born from one simple belief: 'musicians, especially those who have little, must care for one another, and so must we.' Danny recalled the early days of the campaign with quiet pride. 'It was a unique show of caring,' he said. 'Helpless musicians, still finding strength to support one another during the pandemic.' ICAP's RM30,000 contribution at the time was a pivotal moment — a corporate gesture of humanity that, Danny hopes, will inspire others. 'I urge companies and captains of industry who love music, who've had great nights made better by great performers, to lend a helping hand,' Danny said. 'It makes all the difference.' For decades, Malaysian club artistes have lived in precarity. Gigs are scarce, fees are stagnant, and there's no formal retirement or health care safety net. Many have slipped through the cracks. The pandemic nearly broke the circuit altogether. Though music associations such as Musicians for Musicians and Karyawan have held benefit events, the reality remains: support is often temporary, while need is constant. Danny sees the gaps. He fills them, one fundraiser at a time. 'I'm not a musician. But I've seen their hearts. And when the gigs are gone, when the lights go dim, someone needs to stand in that space,' he said. 'That's why I'm here.' He doesn't do it for thanks. But if you ask those who've benefited, from guitarists sidelined by stroke to singers silenced by surgery, they'll say Danny is a rare person: a man who doesn't just love music, but truly honours the people who make it. In a scene too often defined by hustle and heartbreak, Danny's presence is a reminder that compassion is its own kind of headline act.
Malay Mail
4 hours ago
- Malay Mail
‘No excuse to ignore world cinema': MIFFest's newest ambassador Daiyan Trisha wants Malaysians to watch more than just Hollywood
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — You can call her a singer, actress, social media sensation, and now Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) ambassador— she is none other than the talented Daiyan Trisha, a familiar name in the Malaysian entertainment scene. MIFFest has been riding a wave of excitement since its dazzling opening last Saturday, July 19, and this marks the artist's third time being part of the festival but her first ever time as an ambassador — joining acclaimed local stars Siti Saleha and returning ambassador Bront Palarae in this year's lineup. Malay Mail had the opportunity to sit down with the artist herself, who shared her thoughts on embracing a new role at MIFFest, reflecting on the significance of being named an ambassador for the festival's eighth edition. 'I feel very honoured that Joanne (president of MIFFest) asked me to be one of the ambassadors this year. 'I feel like it's a good platform for me to learn and get to know the competing films, and other filmmakers from other countries. 'I just take it as an opportunity to learn more about filmmaking and maybe expose MIFFest to my audience,' said Daiyan. The film enthusiast MIFFest is all about celebrating film across borders — a sentiment that resonates deeply with Daiyan, who grew up as a passionate film enthusiast watching international titles. 'As Malaysians, I think it's a Malaysian thing to watch Bollywood or Hong Kong films, and we're so exposed to them. 'I think culturally, there are a few films outside of Malaysia and Hollywood that are really close to our hearts,' she shared. Her cinematic interests span a wide range of international films — from Bollywood classics like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) to some Thai horror and comedy, as well as Korean content. Now on the sixth day of MIFFest, Daiyan already has a long list of films she's eager to catch on the big screen. Each film she's seen thus far has been a rollercoaster of emotions — deeply moving, heartbreakingly real, and so vivid that she feels every heartbeat and tear of the characters come alive on screen. Why it's time for Malaysians to explore international movies beyond Hollywood It's no secret that Malaysians have a deep love for Hollywood films and, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift where many are starting to embrace local productions and a growing range of Indonesian titles. According to Daiyan, now is the perfect time for Malaysians to push that love for film even further — beyond familiar borders. 'Now it's the perfect time because there is no excuse to learn about other cultures beyond Malaysia and Hollywood — these two that we are really accustomed to. 'I feel like we are doing fine, like with Korean films, and also with the rise of Thai films, like the recent How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024), where I feel Malaysians watch it and relate very well,' said Daiyan. She believes that MIFFest plays a key role in expanding that perspective. 'With MIFFest, I feel maybe we can expose them to other kinds of stories because these European films have such a way of storytelling, and the way their cultures are involved in and their own emotions and own perspective. 'I feel like with more people knowing MIFFest, more will go to the showtime and explore European films, such as from Italy, and the Middle East,' she added. 'It's just something we need to slowly learn to accept, and that's why MIFFest is around to introduce the young generation to these other films.' Happy to return as MIFFest ambassador, if given a chance This year's MIFFest will run until July 27, with the closing film being Transamazonia, an international co-production spanning France, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, and Taiwan, with the Golden Global Awards to be held at Zepp KL this saturday. Looking ahead, if opportunity arises, Daiyan hopes to return as an ambassador in future editions of the festival, eager to continue being part of this vibrant celebration of film. "I'm proud to be a part of MIFFest because, as a Malaysian, being involved in something of this scale — something that connects us internationally — would have seemed unbelievable five, ten, even fifteen years ago. 'We've come so far as a nation in the global film industry,' said Daiyan. 'To see Malaysia growing into an Asian, ASEAN, and even European cinematic hub — bringing together people from all over the world to be part of our international film festival — is something I take great pride in. 'It shows how far we've come, and to me, that's what MIFFest represents," she concluded.
