A cross between rustic and high flying, George's La Dolce Vita strives to provide a modern take on Italian fare. Inspired by New York's bustling Italian scene, there are more elements of New York than of Italy in this unpretentious, charm-soaked joint. Although they do not offer absolutely authentic, home-cooked Italian, their New York inspired take on Italian favourites will give you reason to step right in and take a tasting of dishes served by owner and chef George himself. With barely a few months since its conception, they've been quietly winning positive reviews for their beautifully plated pastas and creative appetisers. What really takes the cake (no pun intended), is the in-house bakery that serves some of the best desserts you can find around town. By best, we really, truly mean, the best. Whether you try the out-of-control Triple Chocolate Cookie or a lusty plate of red velvet cake, you will have your mind blown.
Perfect for any time of the day, you can prop in for a late lunch or even an intimate dinner, as the place has the kind of vibe that simply wins you over. The menu consists of simple Italian staples (pastas, pizzas, appetisers) and an extended menu of desserts. All fairly priced, this is just the spot if you’re looking for quality eats that don't really abuse your pocket.
Read on to find out which dishes to try, which to brave through and which ones to dive into. Buon appetito!
Devour it
A few favourites that deserve to be devoured time and again
Pollo In Un Cesto Tk280 4.5/5
(Boneless chicken with mushroom cream sauce in a crispy potato basket)
If there's only one thing you want to try, you MUST try the Pollo In Un Cesto. As if we weren't sold on the idea of a dreamy mix of boneless chicken and shitake in mushroom cream sauce, in came the potato basket. Essentially a Chinese-inspired nest, the basket is made with deep fried, shredded potato strips. The cream is dense and the mix such an exquisite example of creamy perfection, you can't help but go for several mouthfuls. Add to that the potato crust and you've got a recipe for a never ending hogfest.
Red Velvet Skyscraper Tk280 4.5/5
(Six layers of red velvet cream cheese)
This towering red velvet stays true to its promise - it really is six generous layers of red velvet with just the right amount of cream cheese frosting. For Tk280 or more, you can easily say there isn't another restaurant that does a better Red Velvet. Yes, you've read that right. Apart from a few select online bakeries, nobody does a red velvet as well as they do. This beauty is just intensely moist and so tender, you think you can't go for seconds but you’ll want to. The layers are harmonious, thanks to the light fluff of cream cheese and the measured sweetness of cocoa.
Carrot Heaven Tk225 4/5
(Carrot cake, spices, cream cheese frosting, where the good carrots go when it's their time)
Despite being a generally underrated choice for cake, La Dolce Vita's carrot cake is a class above the rest. It's somewhere in between being a heavy, dense cake and a too-light fluff fest. This one's moist, yet light enough to enjoy with just a wink of ginger flavour. Topped off with lush cream cheese frosting, this one's a winner too.
Triple Chocolate Cookie Tk150 5/5
(A pure chocolate experience)
Cookies are just plain ol' cookies unless they are George's Triple Chocolate Cookie. For a cookie with such an unassuming name, you'd be fooled to believe it's just another run-of-the-mill chocolate cookie. Even one look at it will have you thinking the same. However, all it takes is one bite. One bite and you'll suddenly realise that every other chocolate cookie you had was just a lie. This cookie is everything you want a triple chocolate cookie to be - baked to perfection on the outside with a lusty, intense chocolately centre inside. One that just melts to your touch. One moment you're cherishing every crumbling bite, next you're licking off the gorgeous chocolate mess. The taste is so dark, you'll be lifted to the ultimate heights of a dangerous chocolate coma. Approach with caution.
Torta Di Crema Di Banana Tk170 4.5/5
(Banana cream pie with ginger crumb topping)
This banana cream pie is a sensation - whether you like pies (or not), whether you loathe bananas (or don't) - this cream pie will change the way you feel about any other banana dessert you've tried. The pie is lightly sweetened but is incredibly lush and smooth. Every bite is thick but light, with soft banana peaks meshing right in with the beautifully done crust. Even the ginger crumb toppings add to the flavour and make you fall, and fall hard.
Perfection Cake Tk225 4.5/5
(The loveliest vanilla cake with chocolate ganache frosting)
If you want to love one thing about George's, you'll love how their menu never lies. If a cake is called "Perfection Cake," they are giving you perfection cake, we kid you not. Once you try this vanilla cake you will finally realise why people who enjoy vanilla cake, enjoy vanilla cake. It’s moist and dense, for a while you don't even care for the chocolate ganache frosting because the cake alone is so good - and that is something you wouldn't normally expect to happen since chocolate is usually the king of all things sweet.
Try it
The ultimate middle ground for all things worthy of at least one tasting session
Gaberetto Fra Diavolo Tk750 3/5
(Shrimp sauteed in spicy tomato sauce served on a bed of spaghetti)
The Gaberetto Fra Diavolo is, again, like most of their items, a New York version of an Italian dish. It's essentially a spicy shrimp dish in tomato sauce. Their version is far, far more diluted but definitely packs a devilish chili punch that is not meant for the light-hearted. We'd probably enjoy this dish better if the sauce had been thicker, and the spaghetti less limp. Overall, it's an okay dish that you may try on occasion or ask for a re-order with a thicker sauce.
Lasagna pizza Tk500 (small) Tk 700 (large) 3.5/5
(House specialty with Bolognese sauce, bechamel sauce, ricotta)
If you're going to combine the powers of a good bolognese sauce, bechamel and ricotta, and throw it into a well priced pizza - you can hardly go wrong. Although this is not the ultimate Italian pizza, it certainly takes inspiration from an Italian favourite. The crust, mind you, is upsettingly not on the thin side but that doesn't take much from the pizza itself since they're riding on the virtues of a really, really well made bolognese sauce.
Brave it Dishes that often hit the spot and then don't
Pesce pizza Tk550 (small) Tk750 (large)
(Fish olives, preserved lemon, arugula, basil, ricotta, bechamel sauce {no tomato sauce})
The pesce pizza is one that isn't meant for just about every palette. It's a creamy fish pizza with plenty of ricotta. Quite a bit on the plain side, there's nothing wrong with the pizza but there isn't anything going well for it either. The crust too, is on the slightly thicker side. However, despite these shortcomings, we do applaud them for braving a dish that combines such risky ingredients as fish, bechamel and arugula.
Gulp it
Beverages that refresh
Arnold Palmer Tk120
(Iced tea, lemonade and mint)
One of the best iced lemon teas out there - the Arnold Palmer is a drink that is consistently perfect. The recipe is a tad different from that which we're used to but in an entirely good way. It's a drink you'll be lusting for, for days after you've tried it. It's that good.
Minted Lemonade Sunset Tk150
(Minted lemonade with an accent of watermelon juice)
The Minted Lemonade Sunset is a refreshing beauty of a drink that looks quite like a sunset. There's the gorgeous lightness of watermelon matched, half and half, with lemonade that is spiked with mint. The ultimate summer drink.
*All prices are exclusive of 15% VAT
George's La Dolce Vita
House 96, Road 11, Block C, Banani, Dhaka
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Ph: +8801872-444477
