Sunday Buffet Lunches 2: The Oceana Restaurant at the Hilton Malta.

23rd October, 2011.

The Hilton Malta name plate.

The Oceana Restaurant, at the Hilton Malta, has always been one of our favourite haunts for Sunday lunch, ever since the hotel opened its doors after being rebuilt on the Portomaso estate. The venue offers one of the most extraordinary, man-made, picturesque and most visually charming locations in Malta, showering clients with a vista of opulent living throughout.

The Oceana is located on the same floor area as the pools and garden, with clear views through the large, glass panes,  which showers the restaurant with natural light and a most pleasurable view creating an ambience that is exceptional.

The restaurant opened its doors for the season's Sunday buffet lunch about three Sundays ago, so it was about time to carry out a review of this all important establishment, which we consider to be our benchmark location for quality in all departments.

My group arrived just after 1 pm, the restaurant was already busy by that time, with many patrons already seated and helping themselves to the bountiful and opulent riches on the cuisine stations. Every year, the Oceana's team introduce new stations, or improves existing ones, adding or changing cuisine frequently, to give regular clients different selections and an urge to return time and time again.

This season's buffet is operated through some eight food stations, and a separate floor space for desserts served through another five dessert stations that tempt the senses no end, and which make a glutton out of even the most dedicated weight watcher. An ice-cream station, and the cheese counter are included for good measure.

The Review Team.

We were seated at our reseved table, cocktails were ordered, as well as the wines and water, which were promptly served by very attentive staff, which were strategically stationed to cater for clients every need.

The following is a illustrated description of what was available on the various stations, a feast fit for a king, or for you to indulge in:

To Commence

Selection of Salads and Antipasti. Anything from cold cuts, seafood, special Chef's delicacies- Greek, Indian, Italian , etc., salads, stuffed croisants, pies, you name it it's there.

Antipasto delicacies.

 

More selections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soup

Pea Cappuccino with fried smoked ham soup and croutons

The Pasta Station.

Pasta Station

Penne, Tortellini, Spaghetti and Macaroni

Tomato Sauce, Cream Sauce, Bolognaise Sauce and garnishes

 

Entrèes

Grouper with king prawns.

Medallions of pork.

Grilled Fillet of Grouper marinated in cumin dressing, orange, basil, cucumber and tomato salsa

Chicken Breast stuffed with chorizo sausage, rosemary, paprika and lemon chive dressing

Medallions of Pork with lemon, majoram, grilled vegetables and sage jus

Stuffed chicken breast

Meat Kebabs

Some personal  choices from the main-course terrines.

Meat Kebabs with sweet peppers, zucchini and marinated in a spicy dressing and rosemary jus

Carvery

 

The Carvery.

 

 

Roasted Leg of Lamb with olives peppered mousse, anchovies and rosemary jus

Vegetables

Haricot Beans with lemon, roasted cherry tomatoes, rosemary and chilli

Roasted Potatoes with roasted garlic and cumin

Shell fish.

Shellfish station.

Shellfish Live Cooking

Mussels, Clams and Prawns accompanied with white wine onions, garlic, tomatoes, coriander, basil and mint

Shellfish personal choice.

Live Cooking Station: 

North Africa Cuisine.

               North African cuisine.  Choose you ingredients and they are cooked for you with your choice of spices  and sauces.       

 

 

 Live Cooking Station: 

The Paella.

 Spanish Paella. Mouth watering paella with safron rice, shrimps and prawns, chicken and other ingredients in the traditional Spanish style.

 

 

 

 

 Spanish Tapas:

Tapas Personal Choice.

Tortilla with spinach, cheese and sweet peppers

Tortilla Española - “Spanish Tortilla”

Empanada de Carne Adobada - “Meat Pie”

Empanada de Pollo y Chorizo - “Chicken and Chorizo Pie”

Empanada de Jamón y Piña - “Ham and Pineapple Pie”

Desserts & Cheese Table: Five separate stations of desserts to indulge in.  Ice cream trolley and cheese board. Mouth watering, home-made selections, specially prepared for this opulent buffet by the Hilton's patisieres. The photos, taken on site by myself, tell their own story.

 

 

Dessert Station 1.

Dessert Station 2.

 

 

Dessert Station 3.

Dessrt Station 4.

The Cheese Board.

Dessrt Choice.

Reviewers Impressions:

When a team is reviewing an opulent buffet such as this, tables, counters and stations are inspected by each member, then each member decides which type of cuisine he's going to review. It is not possible for one person to sample food from all stations, therefore the assessment and opinion of the whole team is very important. The following ratings have been unanimously decided upon:

Wine selection -Barolo what else.

Ambience: Excellent.

Cuisine quality; preparation and presentation: Excellent.

Service and staff attention and efficiency: Excellent.

Wine List: Excellent choices of top quality brands.

Value: The cost per person for food only is Eur35 -

Very good value for the cuisine offered as well as the up-market, five star location.
Children Eur 12. Free parking.

RATING: 10/10 Category: Sunday Buffet Lunch.

Highly Recommended.

It is very rare that this rating is given, but the general quality of the cuisine, service and ambience could not be faulted.

Contact Details: Oceana Restaurant,
                           Hilton Malta - St. Julians.
Tel:                     23733340