Just on the corner of the Solitaire Mall in Riyadh is the quaint Italian spot, Molto. Together with its warm ambience and soft colors, the restaurant is perfect for those looking for a simple yet wholesome Italian meal.

Upon entering the restaurant, I found the walls lined with beautiful paintings of chefs in kitchens and bakeries, all framed in gold and hung across high ceilings. At the bar, a ceramic pizza oven is decorated with flowers and the Molto logo in neon lighting above.

Scanning the menu, it’s clear that pasta and pizza stand out as stars of the list. I wanted to try some appetizers before delving into the main courses, so I opted for arancini, rice balls with cheese and crab filling, which were a delightful start to my meal.

For my first main, I chose the truffle mafalde pasta with white truffle sauce, which costs SR72 ($19). It was delicious and creamy. Molto also offers a truffle pizza option.

I also decided to try the lemon risotto, which comes with mascarpone and lemon zest. This dish was by far my favorite, striking a perfect balance between creamy cheese and a refreshing sour pinch.

For entrees, the restaurant only offers two options: chicken parmesan and Molto salmon. I thought the salmon course would complement the risotto nicely, as it comes with a lemon butter sauce, so I ordered that over the chicken parmesan. The salmon also comes with creamy mashed potatoes.

I also opted for a refreshing passionfruit mojito as my beverage. 

For dessert, I decided to go for the tiramisu, which was a lovely end to the meal. Soft, fluffy, and not overpoweringly sweet, I highly recommend it.

If you are a fan of pasta and pizza and are looking for a decently priced spot in northern Riyadh, I would definitely make a stop at Molto for lunch or dinner. The atmosphere is cozy for the winter season, and the pizza oven’s warmth really adds to the overall ambience.