Larnaca, Cyprus. Al Dente Italian Cuisine at Metropolis Mall in Larnaca provides one of the mall’s few indoor restaurant dining spaces, alongside a menu centred on Italian favourites. Diners ordered focaccia and two pasta dishes, describing the food as well-prepared and generously portioned.
Indoor dining at the mall
With rising temperatures prompting a search for an alternative to staying at home or spending another afternoon at the beach, a visit to Metropolis Mall in Larnaca led to lunch at Al Dente Italian Cuisine.
While the mall has several places to eat, many share a communal outdoor seating area. Al Dente Italian Cuisine was selected because it is one of the few venues with its own indoor dining area.
Décor and menu
Upon arrival, diners were shown to a booth and given menus. The restaurant’s décor features a ceiling designed to resemble a hanging garden of flowers, exposed brickwork and an open kitchen where chefs can be seen at work.
The menu includes Italian staples such as pizza, pasta and risotto, with a wide range of options available.
Selected dishes
One diner ordered the Penne Norcina, prepared with a creamy white sauce, walnuts, pork mince, mushrooms and parsley. Although tagliatelle had initially been considered, the dish was ordered as listed on the menu.
Another chose the Linguine alla Pescatora, which includes squid, prawns, mussels, cherry tomatoes, basil and garlic in a tomato sauce, and is served with focaccia bread. A Focaccia con Formaggio was also added to share.
Food served
The focaccia arrived first and was topped generously with smoked mozzarella on a soft base. The portion was described as large enough to be shared by three people.
The main courses were served with a small pot of Parmesan. The Penne Norcina was described as balanced, with sautéed mushrooms, crunchy walnuts and a creamy sauce that did not become overly rich. The pasta was also noted as being cooked al dente.
The seafood linguine was described as containing generous quantities of seafood, including prawns that were ample in both size and number, with seafood distributed throughout the dish rather than appearing in limited amounts.