Recently opened Eatalia La Dolce Vita Restaurant is located in the university neighborhood of Beijing, known as Wudaokou, where I’ve also had delicious Date Cakes and JianBing. Eatalia is not your typical Wudaokou joint. In fact, this new establishment, which opened about a month ago, makes the neighborhood feel a little more upscale, and as if we’re not in China anymore. The graffiti-esque Italian decor and drawings add character and charm. With about 30 seats at regular tables and 10 more seats at bar tables, I can easily see this place getting filled during meal times. And serviced by foreigners, I’m not used to the waitstaff understanding my every English word!
The menu is limited as they continue to explore what’s most popular. It’s a small selection, but they make it well: Pizza and Ravioli. Serving small or large slices of brick oven pizza, there are also whole pizza versions. The homemade pizza is one thing, but I must say the freshly made ravioli’s are delicious. Ravioli’s of course would be Italian for dumplings! (Ok, sorry for the bad joke.) The vegetarian friendly option on the menu is spinach and ricotta with a tomato sauce, which was deliciously flavorful and the ravioli was cooked perfectly al-dente. Sauces can be substituted for creamy mushroom or butter pesto, for instance. And although, not listed on the menu, breadsticks and simple pastas can be whipped-up, upon request. The breadsticks looked really appetizing, but I was fooled and rather disappointed. I would not recommend the crusty pizza dough spiced up with not enough flavor. Don’t let my comments deter you, because what IS on the menu is delicious.
I sure hope this cozy, new place sticks around for longer than the previous cafe tenant at this location.
Eatalia La Dolce Vita
Rm 10, Building 12, Huaqing Jiayuan
Chengfu Lu, Haidian District
海淀区成府路五道口华清嘉园12号楼10号
