When I first heard of Bonta Vita, I knew it was the kind of place that I had to save for M and her boys. It’s a Malaysian Italian restaurant serving Rizza or Roti Pizza (pronounced Ritza) were their star item. I had also read about the Rice Dice where rolling the dice allows you to decide what you’re eating that night and if you happen to roll the same numbers, your table gets free gelato so I knew that the idea of winning a dessert would appeal enormously to them. Indeed S has fantasies of living for free here just eating dessert (yes he of the never ending dessert tank).
BYO torch for menu reading
It’s part of the Lumiere building, where we walk past the colourful fountain which has everyone oohing and aahing with the changing light colours. S says in hushed tones “Mummy, can we afford this place?”. We walk in and it’s nicely outfitted. We’re shown our booth which is actually a booth that has another table added to it which is either a good thing or a bad thing as everyone feels quite apart but as we learn later, the narrow booth table requires this in order to fit our food. And it also smells pervadingly of fried chicken owing to the KFC next door and is incredibly dark so we resort to using a shared torch to read the menu, not something we ever have issues with so hopefully you’ll forgive the less than stellar photographs that we got. Our waiter brings over four tealights which don’t really help. Some of the lights are turned on, but most remain out for the whole time we are there.
I inquire about the Rice Dice and the waiter says that that was from an old menu item but after some discussion he brings us the menu and I read out the instructions. It’s different from when Ffichiban visited, quite different in fact that there are actually now 3 dice you have to roll and now you have to order an entree, main and dessert. When FFichiban visited it was 2 dice and you just ordered a rice dish and a side. It doesn’t take a genius to realise that rolling a triple is a lot harder than rolling a double and you are possibly up for pretty expensive meal with rules such as “if you don’t obey the dice, you must buy a round of drinks for the whole table” and with their drinks being $8.90, it seems like the odds are definitely stacked in the house’s favour. Your 3 course meal could cost you anything between $38 to $69.
Apricot Moon and Suai Suai $8.90 each
Instead we order what we like. The menu is broken down into section from Rizzas, Malaysian food and Italian food. We start with drinks. I’m intrigued by the Apricot Moon drink described as “a unique Egyptian blend, especially made for us using apricot that is mixed with secret recipes that takes 2 days of preparation to be served to our customers”. I’m hopeful and at $8.90 it sounds like it might be quite special indeed. One sip and instantly we taste dried apricots. We can figure that it’s made by soaking dried apricots for 2 days in hot water and then pureeing them. I know because I’ve done it for an apricot sorbet and it tasted exactly like this. The Suai Suai is plain yogurt mixed with kiwi, vanilla gelato and a dash of honey blended with ice which tastes like a honey smoothie. This also doesn’t quite reach the heights of the description.
Rizza #1
Our first dishes to arrive are the Rizzas. The number 1 rizza is sampled first and is served with BV (Bonta Vita) sauce which is a tomato based sauce mixed with curry. It is filled with bocconcini, pesto, cherry tomatoes and mozarella. It’s delicious and full of stringy melted cheese, the contents indeterminable but not necessarily in a bad way as it tastes delicious together.
Rizza #4
I try the second Rizza, the number 4 with prawns, squid and mozarella and I prefer this to the first one. Although the prawn and squid aren’t particularly strong flavours in it, it’s a great combination and the rizza concept has really won me over.
Kari Dahl $15.95
Our next dishes are from the Malaysian menu. We start with the Kari Dahl which is watery and uninspiring with large chunks of potato, raw tomato and eggplant in a sauce that is thin. My husband thinks that this would be good on it’s own drunk as a soup but as a curry served with rice, lacks body and flavour. Oddly there were supposed to be lentils in it but the dish is bereft of them.
Otak Otak $15.95
The Otak Otak aka fish mousse in banana leaves is better and comes with rice (rice per serve is $4) and it is the table’s favourite from the Malaysian choices. There’s a hint of coconut combined with the flavour and texture of minced white fish.
Beef Rendang $16.95
The beef rendang’s sauce is also quite thin but quite soft but the fact is I always compare beef rendangs to the rendang at Satay Delight and there are really none better than that. It is impractically served on a wide brimmed plastic plate. Which brings me to note something that had M fascinated. Apart from a couple of the plates and the cutlery, everything, including the glasses was made of plastic melamine. And we witness one of the reasons for choosing plastic over glass when a waitress misses a step and a flurry of plastic cups and plates goes flying across the room and amongst diner’s feet.
Panini di Sogno $14.80
We are all hungry and since the Rizza was the undeniable choice of the night we order a Panino di Sogno which is a roti panini filled with minced beef, sliced capsicum and mozarella. This is delicious with tasty ground beef and is gratefully portioned up to hungry mouths.
From the torchlight menu reading, to the fried chicken to the plastic everything, to the small table we’re not quite sure if this is the place for us. And considering we were still hungry, the bill of $28 per person comes as a bit of a surprise. There’s a surcharge of 10% because we were dining on the Anzac Day public holiday. When they ask us how our meal was M feels compelled to say “to be honest I think it was expensive” to which they are momentarily stunned and then say “OK, thankyou very much! thankyou for coming, please come again!” and wave at us smiling cheerily.
Bonta Vita
Shop 10-02 Regent Place
501 George Street, Sydney, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9267 2212
Monday-Wednesay 8am-10pm
Thursday-Friday 8am-12am
Saturday 10am-12am
Sunday 10am-10pm
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
41 Comments | Add your own
i can’t believe a flashlight is necessary to read the menu–what fun! those rizzas look purty darn tasty too–i’m glad we can all see them, no flashlight required.
How disappointing, could’ve been so good. Sounds like it’d be easy to recreate at home, I have some frozen roti… Is that cheating?
That is a bit lame what they did to the rice dice. I was there on Friday and also got sucked into getting the Apricot Moon drink
But the rizza are so delicious! The roti kaya is good too.
Oh noes, a menu using a flash light? Sounds a bit strange huh but the rizza looks great! =)
WOAH BYO torch, that’s insane.
It’s an interesting combination Italian/Malaysian.
Beef Rendangs would normally have very thick sauce or no sauce at all, meaning the rending is fried till there it is ‘dry’. The one in the picture is more like an undone rendang.I am surprised that a Malaysian restaurant is churning rendangs like that since it is a Malaysian specialty.
Rizza looks really tasty. Reading with a light is not so cool, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
A Malaysian-Italian fusion? That’s the first time I’ve heard of this! How freaking cool!!! I wish I had a restaurant like that here in USA!
Love the otak-otak! Sorry some of the dishes weren’t that stellar, though.
How did you still manage to capture such good photos in the dark?
Never heard of Malaysian Italian fusion food before…love the flashlight too. I love your foodie exploits!
Rizzas are a very interesting concept. Too bad this wasn’t as great as it could have been.
I’ve been there myself and haven’t been very impressed. I liked the Apricot drink but it was a bit overhyped on the menu. The drinks itself are very expensive. I ordered a Ritza (or Rizza, whatever they’re called) and it just didn’t have much flavour at all, it was just quite ‘blah’.
Doesn’t sound like one I would be racing to visit, although the rizzas do look nice.
I love this ” S says in hushed tones “Mummy, can we afford this place?”” Your boy is very very cute
Love the post – hilarious reaction from the wait staff to your friend’s comment. Not sure I’ll be coming here with the bf. Mentioned the rizza concept and I think his sour expression means it offends his Italian heritage to have to eat such adulterated pizzas.
The rizza looks and sounds yummy. I think they’re going for the martabak concept but instead of the traditional sardines / meat filling they’ve put in Italian pizza fillings. I have to try it one day.
I walk past here all the time and it’s always empty. I think I know why now…
The Roti with fillings dish (usually stuffed with cheese, egg, banana or meat) is called Mutabak in Malaysia. It’s a popular dish found in all Mamak stalls in Malaysia, definitely not a new concept. They are calling it Italian-Malaysian fusion dish (Rizza) by adding some passata and Italian herbs & cheeses. :p
Hi Nigella,
the phone number appears to be incorrect.
MMMM..it looks like a lovely place to dine,…
I prefer the filled panini !!Yum Yum Yum!!
I work close to this place and have been there quite a few times, usually forced by colleagues.
I hate this place. It’s an affront to two great foods – roti and pizza. The two just don’t mix. Just no.
Everytime I was forced to here, I usually ducked out to KFC or Ton Ton afterwards to have another snack, so as to wash the taste out of my mouth.
Yes, I even preferred the sickening grease of KFC compared to this place.
I personally prefer eating proper malaysian food (like at woolies food court, or jimmy’s) and real good pizza (like rosoopomodoro, etc) than this stuff.
The prices aren’t reasonable either.
Yeah this place is exxy
but I like the rizza combination hee hee.
And what have they done to the Rice Dice 0_o?
Hee hee at Byo torch!
I’ve walked past a few times and have always wanted to try it, but never actually committed to it. I think I’d go just for the rizza’s. Do you carry a torchlight with you everywhere?! lol.
What a review! Maybe they will take your cue!
Plastic indeed and at those prices! Maybe you should write them and give them this link if they want to stay in business!
Interesting post!
what a strange restaurant. Using torches to read the menu. Cool!!!
How interesting – never would have thought Malaysian & Italian!
I love Otak Otak. At first I wondered what on earth it could be!
Were you instructed to bring a torch there or did someone just happen to bring it along!??
WOW! That was expensive! The drinks themselves are expensive enough to turn me away from it, and since it was disappointing, that..well it sucks..
I bet they weren’t expecting you to say that it was expensive.
Good for M!
Hi grace-Hehe yes lucky In put a torch in M’s bag-we would have had trouble ordering otherwise!
Hi Gab*-Yup it could have been great
Oooh great idea most definitely!
Hi Steph-I know, I was so disappointed as that’s why we brought the boys there! Ah yes the dried apricot drink-not as exciting as it sounds!
Hi Brianna-It was strange indeed
Yes the rizza was great=I wish we had ordered 5 of them! 
Hi Bill-I have to agree
Hi Rose-Yes I like that sort of beef rendang with the really thick sauce and super intense flavour. This wasn’t
Me too, I was really hopeful!
unfortunately
Hi The Duo Dishes-Ha yes we couldn’t really order otherwise!
Hi Sophia-Me too! Yeah I think if we had just ordered the rizzas we would have been happy
My husband tkes the photos as he has a much steadier hand 
Hi deeba-Hehe thanks!
Hi 5 Star Foodie-I know, I had high hopes!
Hi Nat-It sounded quite amazing by the description. WHat a shame, as the rizzas were the only thing that really grabbed us you must have been quite unimpressed!
Hi Cakelaw-I think I would go back for a Rizza but probably not for the other items sadly
Hi Ja-Hehe he’s not my son but it was very funny!
Hi Forager-Thanks! It was hilarious seeing their facial expressions. They didn’t quite know what to do with her honesty! Hehe sounds like it won’t be his scene at all!
Hi foodie-central-Perhaps they are so they get something unique
Hi Reemski-Ah really!? Yes it wasn’t very busy when we went
Hi Ellie-Hehe yes I think you’re right
Hi Clare-Ah yes, all fixed now!
Hi Sophie-It was interesting that’s for sure!
Hi Harimau-Aw what a shame you can’t pick! Eeek, to choose KFC over it too!
Yes I think it was quite expensive
which it just shouldn’t be for the type of food it is!
Hi FFichiban-Hehe yes they’ve changed it-so it’s virtually impossible to win free gelato!
Hi Betty-Haha no! In happened to put a torch in his mum’s bag that afternoon. Thank god he did I say!
Hi Nazarina-Now that would be interesting if they do! Thanks!
Hi snooky doodle-Yes not the way I usually like to do it!
Hi Caz-It’s an unusual combination most definitely. Nope I don’t carry one, my friend’s son popped one in her bag for some reason. Maybe he’s psychic!
Hi ArtemisIII-yes we didn’t think they’d be that much and were surprised but hoping for an excellent drink indeed
Haha you’re right, they so weren’t! 
Hmm interesting. I guess it could have been a fun little game for reasonably price bar dishes and you are there for drinks and something to nibble, eh?
I never knew about this place to be Malaysian Italian! I just passed by this place on my way to Ton Ton last Saturday.
LOL @ BYO torch!
Hmm…Italian Malaysian combo restaurant? Never would have thought to mix the two…the dal does not look like a dal but more like a rasam(which is a sort of spicy soup)…as for all the melamine…it could be to give a more ‘malaysian’ feel as our stalls here serve everything on colorful melamine plates…does seem rather expensive for what you had though!
Hi Yas-I think that’s one way to look at it!
We were lucky we had the torch!
Hi Alexandra-This is my first time with the combination too! Yes it was very soupy indeed. Hmm interesting about the melamine!
I’m disturbed that you carry a torch with you, but also that you needed to use it!
I walk past here often and have seen it empty. Guess now I know why. Customers (or therelack of…) are usually the best testament to a restaurant.
What is it about these restaurants that refuse to have proper light! My mum will now not go anywhere where she can’t read the menu (and fair enough!). She eats out more than I do – do these restaurants realise the potential clientele they are missing out on?
I had a friend who lived in Lumeire, it smelt like KFC too.
Hi Emma-Haha I don’t but my friend’s son slipped one in her bag.Lucky that she did too!
Hi Kristi-I know, it’s not nice for people to feel like they can’t read a menu! Agreed
Thankyou for confirming the KFC thing. They didn’t like that I said that!
I’m not sure that I’m adventurous enough to mix Malaysian and Italian food! And if I was, I don’t think I’d be visiting Bonta Vita—for a start, I like to be able to see my food, and frankly the restaurant looks dark enough to take a nap in.
$4 for a serve of steamed rice? That’s terrible! The “rizza” (ewww, I hate this kind of fake fusion food) look like gozleme. Which I love but I can get great gozleme on plastic plates from a stall at any markets for about $5. And it will be well lit!
Oh and how ironic that in a building called Lumiere (meaning light), they didn’t turn the lights on. I had lunch in a little place in Epping last week (it wasn’t good, chosen by workmate) and they didn’t have their lights turned on. It makes a place feel so cold and dank.
Hi Angela-LOL I love the way you described it re nap!
Hi SydneyGal-Yup true it is quite like a gozleme! And yes funny that they’re in the Lumiere building indeed!
Be careful though, you might get an email from them for commenting on the plastic plates! 
Dear Reviewer,
It has came to my attention by a close friend of your blog, comments and “the funny email” that was sent to you which is probably from some one who wants to play a silly joke on both sides, we have not made any comments or legal threats in any way or to any one at all.
My belief is that the freedom of speech is what we live by and dies for and you have all the rights to express your own personal views in a very professional way, I actually after reading your review realized that some of your views about the restaurant should be improved and will improve. Maybe I disagree with other points but as I said it is your own views and every one look at things differently.
We have had bad reviews and good reviews on Eatability and it never worried us even though knowing that Eatability is a very popular and powerful website for food lovers, and to prove that, we still on Eatability, so if we as you all mentioned in your comments do not accept criticism, we would have taken our information off Eatability, but it is important to me as tool of improving and understanding my customers needs and expectations and for that I do respect and appreciate every feed back, because it makes be better and it make us improve.
I am sure that you might have been in the same position to be criticised for your blog or maybe your reviews, but it does not stop you from moving forward and it does not make you give up what you love doing most.
You have a talent and a great taste as I have been through your blog all afternoon today, and it is clear that you have a passion that it is beyond anyone’s doubt.
A lot of things has actually changed since your last visit to Bonta Vita as well, we have a new professional Malaysian chef who is been praised a lot for his talent.
As you also may know that we have opened our doors not long ago and it has been only 4 months since we’ve opened and we have a lot of things to improve and adjust, but I assure that it will.
I do appreciate your feed back and the time you have spent to put together such an impressive blog, but as a business man and educated person like yourself, I would rather stay away from assumptions.
I am not justifying myself or my business to you or to any one, I am only responding because of that silly email that was sent to you.
Thanks once again for your feed back and hope your husband gets better.
Marcello Ferrero
Managing Director
Bonta Vita
Got to admit I had more fun reading the comments. The flashlight had me cracking up because I keep one in my truck and never thought of it as a way to deal with horrible lighting in a restaurant. I am also impressed that for as bad as the lighting was your pics still turned out great. Must share you secret!!
Hi Marcello-That’s interesting. I read that there is a sign in your window now that no photographs are permitted though? I don’tknow why anyone would play such a joke on either of us but I’m glad to hear that it won’t be pursued. Thanks for your words about my husband.
Hi Jeff-Interesting isn’t it!
Thanks, that’s all due to my husband with the very steady hand! 
Hmm kinda sad that no photographs can be taken.
I had my birthday party at Bonta Vita and they didn’t tell me there was a cake surcharge, nor did it say anywhere as restaurant policy. In the end, we were hit with an extra $60 in the bill as $3/person cake surcharge. Wasn’t a very nice ending to the night…
One Trackback/Pingback
[...] walk the short distance to Kushiyaki Azuma and past Bonta Vita (the scene of my infamous legal incident). It looks like they’re closed down judging by the [...]
Post a Comment