Trattoria Dacristian, Bangsar

Trattoria Dacristian marks a new beginning in Bangsar for Bologna-born chef Cristian, who has worked in KL for a decade and is finally running his own restaurant.

This is a fuss-free, fabulously friendly place for Italian comfort fare, spanning a complete selection of pastas, pizzas and more.

The Involtini di Maiale is mighty and meaty, taking in Tuscan inspirations for uber-juicy pork rolls, plumply stuffed with smoked scamorza cheese and pancetta, fragrant in sage butter sauce on aromatically garlicky spinach. 

For fans of luscious desserts, bookmark the Crema al Mascarpone - pure mascarpone, layered with amaretti biscuit crumbles - and Cannoncini alla Nonna - custard-filled cream horns.

Trattoria Dacristian takes over from Azeta Kitchen, which closed this year after its wonderful chef-founder Andrea's untimely passing.