Restaurants of Malta 1 - La Nostra Padrona.

La Nostra Padrona Review.

La Nostra Padrona Restaurant, of Marsaxlokk was our choice of dining venue, on Saturday, 17th September. We have heard many comments about this restaurant, which has only been in operation for just the last three months. The restaurant is operated by Charles Vella, who is not a newcomer to the restaurant industry, but who has honed his catering experience in a number of hotels and restaurants in Malta as well as abroad.

On arrival at the restaurant we were seated at  our reserved table, and the cocktail waitress came over to get our orders for drinks, and a platter of bruschetta, two types of bigilla (Maltese beans dip), cheese, sausage, Maltese galletti and grissini were served.

The decor in this place is brand new and the design is very appealing. As is becoming typical in Marsaxlokk, this restaurant has downstairs and upstairs seating, the upstairs seating on the first floor is serviced by a lift. All tables are well spaced from each other, allowing that little privacy for intimate conversation but at the same time, allowing clients to feel part of an extended family of diners, as otherwise you might just as well dine at home.

Catch of the day -fresh fish selection.

Menus and wine list were presented and a visit to the catch of the day trolley was conducted. Fresh fish, some of which I'm sure, was procured straight from the local fishermen on their arrival at this quaint fishing village from their fishing excursions. Cippullazz-Scorpion fish; Rock fish; pagell-red snapper; Pesce di San Pietro-John Dory; Spnott, sea bream etc were all on display for clients to make their selection from.

Fish chunks neonati.

After making our choices from the menu we settled for starter portions of:
Prawn and orange bisque; Spaghetti Vongole al cartoccio; and two fish neonati platters as starters. The wine a chilled Delicata Gran Vin De Hauteville Chardonnay 2009, and still and sparkling water were brought over and placed in plastic coolants. The starters were served after a few minutes wait.. The prawn and orange bisque which was ordered by my wife was delicious from the spoonfull that I tasted, and from the comments that I got from her; the spaghetti vongole al cartoccio were a novelty, and both the presentation as well as the quality and taste were sublime; The savoury, fish neonati were ordered by myself and by my daughter-in-law, and they also proved to be very palatable and made from fresh fish chunks and herbs. The starters were paired with a bottle of chilled Delicata Gran Vin de Hauteville Chardonnay 2009 which was exquisite with this food selection.

Prawn and orange bisque.

Spaghetti vongole al cartoccio.

Enjoying the shellfish platter.

Main courses:

The Shellfish platter.

After debating whether or not to go for the fresh fish from the trolley or the shellfish platter, we decided on the latter and four platters were ordered. On arrival and serving these platters were visibly admired and commented upon by a number of neighbouring diners, as the quality, quantity and the aroma eminating from these platters were sublime. Various portions of local, fresh red king prawns, imported giant prawns, langoustini, various kinds and types of mussels, cockles, octopus and other crustaceans, were cooked in a rich broth and served in huge platters. The side servings of roast potatoes and fresh, boiled vegetables were not really looked at, except for a taste of the crusty roast potatos which I cannot resist. These platters offered a veritable challenge to finish, and which not all of us succeeded in doing. The main course were again paired with another Delicata wine this time the choice fell on a Grand Cavalier Sauvignon Blanc 2009, which complemented the shellfish to perfection.

Apple strudle and cream.

Desserts:
Orders for desserts consisted of two orders of cassatella, one apple strudle and on mixed ice-cream. These also proved to be a novelty in presentation as both the cassatella and the apple strudle, apart from being delicious,  were presented in a very admirable manner, different from the usual slice of pies from the trolley, and as illustrated in the photographs. The actual dessert items are not house made, but are outsourced. These products seem to be making the rounds around various restauarants in Malta as I have been presented with them in other places. At least the chef here did decorate the plates to enhance the presentation.

Cassatella.

Espressos, and complimentary liquors finished a very good dinner.

Price per person for the above dinner excluding wine and water works out at about Eur38 per person. Final price will go up depending what wine and quantity is ordered. As per the above orders the final price came up to Eur 47.50. per person.

This restaurant has an excellent menu which can cater for most tastes and pockets with starters from Eur5 to Eur9, and main courses ranging from some Eur15 for a number of dishes, to Eur23.50 for the shellfish platter and Eur22.5 for Angus beef fillet or rib-eye steak. Fresh fish from the catch of the day trolley is priced by weight and fish type, so it's better to ask prior to ordering to avoid surprises afterwards, this applies to all fish restaurants as a matter of fact.
The wine list is adequate, a good choice of both local and imported wines are offerred and mark-up is acceptable.

La Nostra Padrons Restaurant typcal layout

Reviewers' Impressions:
Ambience - very good.
Cuisine quality - very good.
Preparation and presentation - very good.
Service and staff deportment - very good.
Value for money - Reasonable for the type of cuisine and wine ordered..

RATING: 8.5/10.
Category: Fish and Seafood.

Recommended.

La Nostra Padrona - 87 Xatt Is-Sajjieda, Marsaxlokk.
Tel: 27667720/79036000.