Indo-Italian with a touch of global fusion at Riso

Oud Metha is filled with so many eateries, it’s almost a challenge to narrow it down to one cuisine or one restaurant. It’s during such times when Desi fusion comes to the rescue! I have always loved restaurants that try to break the boundaries of traditional Indian fare by mixing it up with different global cuisines to create something that’s not only unique, but also brings a whole new world of successful experiments to your table. One such place is Riso.

Offering a very bright and welcoming vibe, this colorful restaurant is decked up with bits and pieces of leaves and plants which blends in perfectly with the concept of its vegetarian menu. Yes, I know having an only veg menu might shock you at first, but honestly, their list of dishes is so extensive (and so good), you won’t feel like you’re missing out on meat even one bit. Riso, apart from being an Indian-Italian fusion, also brings in some elements of Lebanese cuisine (almost 7 types of veg hummus varities!), Mexican fare (think nachos, tacos, quessadillas), and a touch of Asian inspiration in its dishes.

To say we were stuffed would be such an understatement. We were blown away, not only with their menu listings, but also with the deliciousness and presentation of their dishes. Read on for what’s going to be a roller coaster ride of vegetarian fusion food!

Soups

Since Riso is mainly about Indo-Italian fare, starting with soups was a must. We tried a very classic Zuppa di Pomodoro – tomato soup with cream and croutons, and a very unusual Mushroom Cappuccino – cream of mushroom soup served in cappuccino style with lots of foam on the top.

Soups always make a good choice, especially in these chilly winters, and honestly it’s a little difficult for me to decide which one I liked more than the other. But in terms of improvement, I guess the tomato soup could have been slightly spicier. The croutons were just right. As for the mushroom cappuccino, although it took some time navigating through the foam to get to the soup, the tiny mushroom bits in every spoon is what made it special.

Which is your go-to soup in winters?

Masala Garlic Bread

This was possibly one of the best garlic breads I’ve ever had. The masala garlic bread at Riso is a really cheesy affair. It’s like a cross between a pizza and a garlic bread, and a big burger!

Stuffed with capsicum, veggies and a whole lot of cheese, this was a whole meal in itself. A perfect starter dish, this could possibly end up sabotaging your main course, so make sure you share it with your party!

Starters

Potato, mushrooms or asparagus? Which one is your favorite? The selection of starters at Riso is so extensive, you’ll feel you’re not doing justice to the menu if you try just one item from it. After the cheesy masala garlic bread, we tried a trio of completely contrasting antipasti.

° Pale di Potato
These were essentially potato skins that were fried to a crispy finish and topped with lots of garlic, spices, chili flakes and green onions. Honestly this was my favorite off the three. I even packed some for snacking the next day at work.

° Fungi Trifolati
What better than sautéed mushrooms with garlic bread? These little buttons came tossed in Italian herbs with a cheesy drizzle on top. A really hearty choice if you are a mushroom fan, these make for a really good sandwich.

° Asparagi Freschi
Quite an unconventional starter, I’m not sure I would have ever ordered this if it hadn’t been recommended by the staff. But I’m glad they did. I consider asparagus to be quite bland, but these changed my perception. Also served with bread on the side, the asparagus sticks were marinated in butter, olive oil and lemon juice, and then dusted with parmesan cheese, chili flakes, salt and pepper. These too, surprisingly, made a good choice for a bready bite.

Mocktails

To me, it doesn’t really matter how low the temperatures fall. I always love myself a glass or two of some creatively done mocktails. These two at Riso were quite the blend.

The left one, Cosmo Fleshy, was a kiwi-lime-mint kinda drink with a dash of Coca Cola for that sparkle. Did you notice that kiwi slice on the side? The right one, Royal Hamm, brought together strawberry, orange and pineapple flavors with a touch of lime.

I’m a sucker for mint and lemon, so I preferred the former a little more than the latter. But the presentation for both these drinks was totally on point. Riso has a lot of variety when it comes to mocktails, and I’m definitely going back to try out the others soon.

Lasagne Alle Verdure

Do you like your lasagna meat free? Then this Lasagne Alle Verdure from Riso is perfect for you.

Baked with bechamel, tomato sauce and mozzarella, it combines the goodness of capsicum, broccoli, carrots and green beans in every bite. And that cheesy creaminess is to die for. Plus look at how pretty it is!

Al Pesto Genovese

There is nothing that a plate of good pasta can’t solve. Don’t you agree?

Being a truly madly deeply in love fan of pesto, it was quite a necessity for me to pick this combination from their menu. And this was despite being recommended other pasta varieties.

The Al Pesto Genovese made with fresh basil leaves and pine nuts, came in a lovely earthy green hue that highlighted its ingredients and texture. Garlic and olive oil brought in a sharp flavor which was balanced with the creaminess of parmesan cheese. We chose penne to go along with the pesto, but you can also opt for spaghetti, fusilli, gnocchi, ravioli, farfalle or wheat pasta to go with your preferred sauce. As for me, the rich, earthy flavor and green color of the sauce is what won me over. And I don’t think I would be wrong if I say this was the best dish of our dinner.

Pizza Sicilia

Either Riso loves mushrooms, or we do, because we just couldn’t get enough of these beautiful funghi bits. For our next Italian course we chose the Pizza Sicilia. Although it’s a thick crust, we asked for it to be made thin because honestly, a thick crust would have been impossible for either of us to stomach after all that food!

Starting with a tomato base, this one came loaded with mushrooms, garlic, pickled onions, sun-dried tomatoes and lots of mozzarella. A drizzle of chili oil and basil garnish gave it that finishing touch.

Chef Special

There’s no one way to describe this dessert. The Chef Special at Riso combines the best of everything – both in terms of ingredients and technique. These work together to create a masterpiece.

Salted caramel biscuit crumble, chocolate sauce frozen with liquid nitrogen, molecular vanilla ice cream, fresh fruits, fruit cream and more chocolate and caramel make this dessert so rich and delicious, it’s difficult to stop at just one spoon.

Make sure you leave a lot of room for this one. Or better, make a trip to Riso only for this dessert.

Riso

Location: Opposite Lamcy Plaza, Oud Metha, Dubai
Contact: 04 3966044

View this restaurant on Zomato!