Monnalisa Italian Restaurant JB — Restaurant in Iskandar Puteri

As a self-proclaimed pizza aficionado, my antenna perks up whenever I hear whispers of an "authentic Italian" pizza. So, when Monnalisa in Iskandar Puteri landed on my radar, I knew I had to investigate. Let me tell you, pizza lovers, this wasn't just any investigation; it was a revelation.

The Daviola, Monnalisa's fiery offering, had me at "homemade tomato sauce." This wasn't your average, sugary-sweet base. This was a symphony of slow-cooked, sun-ripened tomatoes, bursting with tangy brightness and umami depth. The mozzarella, oh, the mozzarella! It stretched like a mozzarella maestro's dream, each string coated in that perfect balance of creaminess and slight saltiness.

But the true star of the show was the diavola, the "spicy" element. It wasn't a one-note habanero assault. Instead, a chorus of Calabrian chilies sang, their heat a slow burn that danced with the smokiness of the salami and the sweetness of the peppers. Each bite was an adventure, a journey through the fiery landscape of Italian flavors.

Now, let's talk about the service. Like stepping into a five-star hotel, but with a warm, Italian twist. The staff was attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious. Our manager, a man who exuded Italian hospitality like he was born and raised in a Nonna's kitchen, made us feel welcome and valued.

Monnalisa is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. It's a testament to the power of fresh, quality ingredients, expertly prepared, and served with genuine Italian warmth. If you're looking for a pizza that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Italy, look no further...

21/9/2023 Let's go(66) - Italian food

Today is a special occasion day for both of us. On September 21, 32 years ago, my wife and I went to the government department to get our marriage certificate(ROM). We chose to go to the Johor Bahru Chinese Association Marriage Registration Office that year. In the blink of an eye, 32 years have passed. Tonight, we will enjoy the pizza from the owner of Milan at this Italian restaurant in Sunway Boulevard. The owner has been in Malaysia for nearly 7 years, and he and his wife chose to open this authentic Italian restaurant in Iskandar City. The owner said that their ingredients are all made and ordered from Italy. The store also has a pizza oven. We ordered the Monnalisa beef pizza. The fried minced beef is spread on the homemade flour pizza crust, and mozzarella cheese is baked together. It really makes people open their index fingers. Although the crust is not thin and crispy, it is soft when cut(similar Napoli type). The thin layer of dough will prevent the dough from sticking between the teeth. Then come the usual crispy roasted sweet potatoes with spices. This simple dinner suited both of our appetites just fine. There is also a cup of black tea and succhi de fruita juice with a concentration of 50%pure fruits, which is delicious enough. The boss is a friendly, the environment is comfortable, and it is also a suitable place for friends to gather. #saidleave #32anniversary #anniversary #ItalianPizza #monnalisa #italianfood...

We had dinner there last night and indeed, it was a nice experience. The only 2 big misses for me were: (1) my main (prawn linguine) was forgotten and finally cooked when we checked on the dish so by the time it came, my 4 other dining companions had finished their meal. While the maitre'd did apologise, we were not offered any compensation or given anything complimentary which was a tad disappointing. Also, I had 2 very small prawns that were completely overcooked and mushy. For RM 45, I don't think this was value for money at all! (2) At the end of the meal, we were offered limoncello and 3 of the table accepted and we only found out at the end of the meal that the shots were RM25 each. While the cost did not break the bank, I think it would have been better if the staff had told us it was chargeable as when we've gone to other Italian restaurants, when they have offered limoncello, it's always been complimentary and the times not offered (and we've asked for it), we were told it's not free and we'd have to pay.

Overall though, it was a nice experience and we would go back (but I would choose a different main). My fellow diners, 2 of whom had the ribeye steak and one other the lamp chops, were incredibly pleased with their meal.

Last word of warning, the seabass main is served in a broth which wasn't expected or per menu description. It was nice but just...