Food For Thought

Leonardo’s Dining Room and Wine Loft sits in a familiar space, the old Attic headquarters at Jalan Bangkung. While its location may trigger nostalgia, it’s a new world inside. The walls have been stripped bare, revealing the bricks beneath to create a warm, rustic atmosphere. The ceilings are now exposed, lending the space an airiness that didn’t exist before. The great view of Kuala Lumpur and Genting Highlands from the balcony has been kept, ensuring that there’s still one trait that connects the restaurant to its predecessor.

Occupying the first floor of Leonardo’s is the dining room where one can enjoy a quiet, romantic meal. Go up another flight of stairs and you’ll find the lounge where you can have a boisterous night out if that’s your cuppa tea. A sizable bar resides here, and the space is dotted with comfortable couches and lounges, with a brass telescope that encourages you to gaze out at the KL skyline and if you want, the stars even! Clearly, the upstairs was made for conversations over food and drink.

While its namesake may suggest purist Italian fare, the food at Leonardo’s leans more towards fusion Italian cuisine. The pork knuckles are one of the most popular items on the menu. Deep-fried and wrapped with bacon, it comes as a huge serving that befits its price of RM58. There’s also Leonardo’s Pizza that comes in a rectangular shape with dimensions made to the Golden Ratio! But far from being a mere novelty dish, the restaurant prides itself on the tasty thin-crust creation, made from the freshest ingredients and oven-baked to perfection.

The Kahlua Tiramisu here is yet another proud creation, and rather unique to Leonardo’s. Its presentation will intrigue you—the lady finger biscuits, mascarpone, ice-cream and more are stacked on top of one another. It’s only when you combine all the layers that you understand what makes this particular tiramisu different.

As its name suggests, there’s a big variety of wines at Leonardo’s but do give the house cocktail a go. Called the Dude & Dutchess, it is a mix of chocolate sauce, Kahlua, Grand Marnier, Tia Maria, Baileys and crushed chocolate bits—even the most modest of drinkers will gobble this up. Stay as long as you like at Leonardo’s as the manager, Rick Olkh, swears that they will never chase anyone away. “We’ve opened until 5am before. We won’t even dim the lights!” Take Leonardo’s up on that offer by dropping by 61-1, Jalan Bangkung, Bukit Bandaraya, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2096 2226. Open 5pm until late (closed on Mondays).

Text & Photo Sarah Chan