There are so many restaurants in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur, that it’s often difficult to decide where to go. When you are confused, opt for L’Italiano. It’s perhaps the most opulent and charming restaurant in the area. The food is simply delicious; each bite will make you swoon. And while you are waiting you can take some Instagram-worthy photos as the place is stunning. 

Krishna Tamang, the executive chef at L’Italiano, brings six years of experience to the table. He mastered the art of preparing authentic modern Italian cuisine under the guidance of an Italian chef in Dubai. He confesses he has never been to Italy but he can whip up unique and artisanal Italian dishes like nobody’s business. 

I was a bit confused by the menu at first. I didn’t know what to order as all the dishes had Italian names. But the restaurant staff came to my rescue and were very helpful. I chose the Pappardelle al ragu di cinghiale as it is one of the most popular dishes at the restaurant. Cinghiale is the Italian word for wild boar. The dish is a classic cuisine the highlight of which is the boar ragu sauce. It’s served with long-flat ribbon noodles. According to Tamang, the meat is slow-cooked for six hours. The tenderness of the meat and the aroma of the spices were testimony to the fact that this dish was a labor of love. 

Another ‘delizioso’ dish we had was the Pancia di Maiale, also known as Pork Belly in English. The chef told me that it undergoes a 48-hour ‘sous vide’ cooking process, ensuring that it’s cooked evenly at a consistent 70 degrees. It thus came as no surprise that the texture was exquisitely tender and every bite was flavorful. To balance out the flavors, they serve it with the creamiest ever mashed potato topped with a delectable sauce. The restaurant is among the pioneers in introducing this dish to Nepal. 

We also tried their Diavola pizza. The smoky aroma and the large pepperoni toppings were a delight to the senses. It was unlike any other pizza I had had. The secret lies in allowing the dough to ferment for a full 48 hours, resulting in a soft and chewy texture. The sauce, perfectly seasoned, and the gooey mozzarella cheese hit just the right notes. 

According to Tamang, the majority of the ingredients used at the restaurant are imported from Italy and India. They use high-quality double zero flour for pizza to ensure that even if you go overboard and have a few too many slices than you normally would (which is a possibility given how good the pizza is), it won’t leave you feeling uneasy. 

We tucked into classic Italian Tiramisu despite not having room for much after all the glorious food because it looked so good. The multi-layered dessert had strong hints of coffee and cocoa with just the right amount of sweetness. Every bite left a lingering taste. The portion is more than generous enough to justify the price. 

All in all, L’Italiano was a delight. Apart from just how good the food was, I was also impressed by the impeccable cleanliness. The ambiance, with lush green plants, flowers, and elegant tableware, exudes a warm, comfortable feeling. You can easily spend a couple of hours just taking in the space and relishing the wonderful dining experience, which is what I did and intend to do again soon. 

Their specials:

Pappardelle al ragu di cinghiale

Pancia di Maiale

Diavola

Tiramisu

Location: Jhamsikhel, Kathmandu

Meal for two: Rs 4000

Opening hours: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Contact: 01-5448179

Online Payment: Accepted

Parking: Available