Mietta's Review
We always knew Australia was multi-cultural so it should have been no surprise that the cafe of Richard Serrano and his wife Deborah Ting forsook its first incarnation as an Italian trattoria to resurface a fortnight later as a Malaysian restaurant. Deborah, the chef, was born there and the new look suits her style. While the modern Asian food in smart surroundings suits rapidly gentrifying Leederville.

Other published opinions

The Sunday Times} Gail Williams, 12-12-2009 Score: Food 4/5, Ambience 3/5, Service 4/5, Score 14/20 "We settled on the ever popular Ria, which is a longstanding favourite of ours because the only disappointment here - ever - has been not being able to get a table straightaway. It turned out to be a conversation stopper. We all knew that what was going down was incredibly special - Borneo fish, beef rendang, steamed rice, a lamb curry, stir-fried bok choy and almond chicken at around $40 a head including a bottle of Yarra Burn Pinot Gris ($34)."

Gourmet Traveller 2010 Australian Restaurant Guide "This bustling suburban cafe defies the stereotype into which most of Perth's Asian restaurants fall, with Deborah Ting's Nonya food possessing an authenticity that is all too rare"

Courier Mail Food and Wine Guide 2009 Queensland "Some of this town's best Asian food is found at this unpretentious cafe srving authentic Malaysian food from the tradition of chef Deborah Ting's NonviWith a consistency that entices its customers to return"

Gourmet Traveller 2009 Australian Restaurant Guide "This suburban cafe can be terribly addictive. Deborah Ting's food is better than ever, showing authenticity and detail not often found at this price. The diner has a modern feel, its buzz amplified by the concrete floor"

Gourmet Traveller 2008 Australian Restaurant Guide "Malaysia's Nonya cooking has always been fusion food, but Deborah Ting gives it a new Australian twist at Ria, on inner-city Leederville's emerging restaurant strip"

Gourmet Traveller 2007 Australian Restaurant Guide "While most Asian restaurants look like, well, Asian restaurants, Ria has the buzz and look of a smart suburban cafe. Yet the food is refreshingly authentic, courtesy of Deborah Ting, and you're unlikely to find better Malaysian food in Perth. Entrees include irresistible deepfried mushroom and spicy potato balls, succulent chicken satay with the traditional accompaniments, including a fresh peanut sauce; and a daily platter."

Gourmet Traveller 2006 Australian Restaurant Guide "Malaysian-born Ting tired of pasta and shut up shop, but intriguingly opened weeks later as Ria, serving modern Malaysian food. Ting obviously feels more at home wit this cuisine and bases her dishes on traditional, inherited recipes"

Gourmet Traveller 2005 Australian Restaurant Guide "In 2003, this popular trattoria in inner-suburban Leederville underwent an astonishing sea change. It closed for a makeover and reopened as a modern Malaysian restaurant. Malaysianborn chef Deborah Ting, whose husband Richard Serrano is of Italian heritage, simply tired of cooking Italian."

Sunday Times Gail Williams 11/4/04, 3.5/5 "'Ria is buzzing,it's hip,it's sleek without being overly noisy,the service is snappy-and the food is excellent.'"