When people think of Italian food in Bangladesh, they mainly think of American Italian food, same goes for pizzas. We have not had a good Italian restaurant since the Italian chef left Pizza Roma.
After spending years in Italy, Chef Wali Ullah opened this labour of love, where everything is handmade from scratch. Handmade pasta, the real red sauce that's not out of a jar, which takes days to really get the flavour out and you can taste the difference.
"I lived in Italy for 14 years and worked for free at six different restaurants to learn how to make everything separately and how they do it in Italy," he explained.
Pizza da Wali, in Gulshan 2, is the labour of love of one such man, founder and chef Wali Ullah.
Food
Their arancini from the appetizer menu are rice balls loaded with arborio rice, butter, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, green peas, and minced beef will burst with flavour in your mouth.
The summer favourite, bruschetta is bread topped with tomatoes, olive oil, fresh basil, and oregano is a nice starter because the tomatoes add tartness to the garlic bread which gives you the right amount of zing.
For mains, their spinach and ricotta filled ravioli is substantial, with the tomato sauce taking centr stage. It is the star of the dish.
While the dish is delicious as is, if you like, you can top it all off with freshly grated parmesan cheese they provide on the side.
Their pizza margherita is a speciality made with a freshly made sauce from crushed tomatoes that have been hand-pressed, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil.
Served hot piping hot on the table, the cheese pull alone will have you coming back from more. The aroma from the fresh basil fills the room while the handmade crust is thicker than what we usually expect. It's more Neapolitan style so don't come expecting a thin crust.
Last but not least, their tiramisu is a delectable dessert made with housemade mascarpone, coffee, eggs, and lady finger biscuits.
Not only does the silky smooth mascarpone cream take over your tongue in the best possible way, but the vital cocoa essence will also make you smile while you munch on the biscuits scooped up from underneath.
The price range for a meal at Pizza da Wali is Tk500 to Tk1000. It is to remain the same for a while, according to Wali.
AmbienceThe decor at Pizza Da Wali is quintessentially homely. Not to say it is run down but it's not your instagram focused restaurant. Food and flavor reigns supreme with wicker furniture and terrazzo floors.
Pictures of delighted clients are also put on the wall, offering an old school look. The windows feature brown caned blinds that function as curtains.
Challenges
This restaurant has been open for three years and had to raise its pricing just two months ago owing to the present economic crisis and import costs.
"I had to change the price just two months ago because they're all going up, and the majority of my food is imported from Italy," said Chef Wali Ullah.
However, because this restaurant was created out of love, the costs remain reasonable for the majority of customers.
"But most people tell me it's still reasonable, and that's because this place is a product of my passion." He went on to say.
Wali serves a limit of 24 guests for lunch and dinner, valuing quality over quantity.
"I want to keep the quality intact, that's why I've minimised the amount of people I serve, 12 for lunch and 12 for dinner," he added.
Verdict
The effort alone to create the recipes is admirable. The ravioli, as previously mentioned, is a must-try, as is the tiramisu. Also, the prices are affordable. Overall, it is worthwhile to pay at least one visit.
However, as a side note, you may wish to order fewer tomato-based meals all at once, as we discovered on our first visit.
