Restaurants of Malta 5: TemptAsian Restaurant and Lounge Bar.

Saturday, 19th November, 2011.
Restaurant of the week: TemptAsian Restaurant.

Asian Temptress.

TemptAsian Restaurant and Lounge Bar at The Palace Hotel in Sliema, is probably and most possibly one of the very best venues in Malta for Oriental and Asian cuisine with gastronomic delights from such regions as China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam.
Situated on the 9th floor of The Palace Hotel, this restaurant offers a new experience in fine dining, panoramic views of Sliema and the fortifications, and chic surroundings, with private dining areas if one opts for it, as well as a splendidly appointed open restaurant.

The restaurant is staffed by a good team of well trained, and elegant service staff, supervised by the restaurant manager who seems to scrutinize every table without being overbearing in any way, but who ensures that every client and every table recieves the staff's attention in an efficient, no fussy way. The staff in a restaurant are the key to a successful top market venue, and at the TemptAsian the management and staff deserve our top accolade for excellence.

The cuisine at the TemptAsian Restaurant is illustrated in various Menus, starting with:
The main menu in which every dish on offer by the restaurant is detailed and described under headings such as: Sushi, Chirazi Zushi, Makimono, Tempura, Temaki, Platters, Salads, Hot Starters, Main Courses which in clude a Teppan and Charcoal grilled selection of dishes, and the usual side dishes of rice, noodles, vegetables. Trying to detail and describe here the literally 101 different dishes on offer is not possible, but one would need to go to this restaurant with an open mind, to relish the choices available to the fullest. The choices here are designed to suit most pockets and depends on the number and type of course selected.

Sampaguita.

Tao.

Then there are two excellent set menus on offer with minimum order for two to share. One is titled Sampaguita (which is the Arabian jasmine and which has originated in India). This menu offers a fusion of Asian cuisine from, Japan ( Sushi and Makimono Platter), and India with courses covering Beef Oyster, Indian Butter Chcken, Lamb in yellow Curry, Kashmir aromatic rice, Singapore style noodles ( a bit away from India with this), and Pumkin and Coriander Cheese cake for dessert. This menu costs Eur35 per head.

The second set menu titled Tao (peach flower in Chinese),  offers a veritable feast of Chinese cuisine for two persons at Eur50 per person, and after discusing the various choices on the three menus, we opted for the Tao selection, which did not disappoint.  I shall try to decribe the selections which are all served as part of this menu through the following photo illustrations which have all been taken by myself for this purpose:

Wanton appetizers.

Sushi and Sashimi..

Whilst savouring a splendid welcome cocktail we were served a sample of Chinese wantons, and Japanese Sushi with ginger and wasabi, which were delicious. Delicious.

Prawn Katalfi.

Malaysian Laksa Lemak.

The first course of this menu was the Prawn Katalfi consisting of a splendid presenation of chicken and prawn lolipop and duck parcel, followed by a delicious Malaysian Laksa Lemak soup. Both excellent.

The Peking Duck.

Duck on pancakes prior to rolling.

Then it was the turn for the Peking Duck - traditional Chinese duck served with pancakes, scallions, cucumber and hoisin sauce. Deliciously crispy Very Good.

Main courses.

Phad Thai - noodles.

A feast of main courses followed, consisting of good portions of Gu Lao' Xi Lie-sweet and sour pork with fresh pineapple and oriental vegetables; Mo Gu Ji- stir fried chicken served with shitaki, oyster and wood-ear mushrooms; Prawns- jumped in wok, fried in apple and soy sauce Japanes style; Japanese Fried Rice with chicken and vegetables; Phad Thai- rice noodles with chicken and vegetables. Served on a dish to share between two persons. We could not finish all portions presented, although all were tasted, savoured and enjoyed. Very Good.

Personal Main course platter selection.

Dessert.

Finally an excellent dessert combination of fresh lyches in mint syrup on tapioca with young coconut mango ice-cream was served. Very Good.

The wine.

The dinner was complemented with an excellent bottle of a Louis Bernard Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009 selected from the extensive wine list which offerred wine choices to suit all tastes, and some three bottles of water; and espressos to finish off. Full marks are given to the very elegant wine waitress who served the wine in exact portions throughout the dinner, as well as to the very attentive and knowledgeable waiter who took a great interest to explain and describe each dish as it was served. Well done.

The Main Menu.

It is to be noted, that for diners opting for selections from the a la carte menu, a seperate dessert menu is available.

Value: The main menu offers an extensive choice of dishes as has already been mentioned earlier, and diners can make up their own dinners to suit individual tastes, which would range in price from anywhere near Eur35 for a three course selection to well over that amount for different choices. The set menus are priced at Eur35 per person for the Sampaguita and Eur50 per person for the Tao, both of which have to be ordered for a minimum of two persons. The latter menus are veritable feasts in their own right and are of course priced accordingly. The prices indicated here do not include wine, water and/or other drinks and beverages.

REVIEWERS IMPRESSIONS:

Ambience: Excellent.
Service and staff attention and efficiency: Excellent.
Cuisine quality: Very Good.
Preparation and presentation: Very Good.
Wine List: Very Good.
Value for money: Up-market category Very Good.

RATING: 9.5/10 Asian Cuisine Category.

Highly recommended.

Contact Details:
TemptAsian Restaurant and Lounge Bar,
The Palace Hotel,
High Street - Sliema.
Tel: 2133 3444/ 2262 3409.

Sunday Buffet Lunches 4: Fra Martino Restaurant at the Corinthia Hotel St.George's Bay, St. Julians.

Sunday, 13th November, 2011.

The Corinthia Hotel St,George's Bay.

The Corinthia Hotel St. George's Bay in St. Julians, is one of the exclusive hotels being operated in Malta by Internatial Hotel Investements (IHI) PLC. The hotel apart from exclusive services and facilities expected to be found in a prestigious five star hotel and resort of this nature, offer dining facilities within the premises to cater for most pockets and tastes, with the Fra Martino Main Restaurant, the Grill 3301, Cafe 22, Henry J. Beans, Vinotheque etc.

Fra Martino Restaurant Overview.

In our series of features to highlight various selected Sunday buffet lunches being offered by some of the top hotels in Malta, our attention for this week was directed to the Fra Martino Restaurant at this major hotel. We have already reviewed this buffet lunch, in previous seasons, 2009, 2010, and have selected it once again for the 2011 season, as this venue has always maintained the quality of the cuisine and service offered in very pleasant surroundings.

The Sunday buffet lunch at the Fra Martino is displayed on some eight stations starting with:

Marinated Fresh Salmon.

The Antipasto Central Station:

A lavish array of cold antipasti consisting of selections of seafood, marinated salmon, cold cuts, roulades, salads, dressings, sushi and sashimi, etc., which would need more than one visit if one wants to taste most of the dishes on offer. Very Good.

Sushi and Sashimi

Antipasto Selections.

More Antipasti.

Antipasto feast.

Parma Ham and melon.

The Soup Station.

The Soup Station:

Two pots of soups - Cream of carrot and coriander and a Pea and Bacon soup were on offer, with cheddar croutons. Good.

Baked Cannelloni.

Pasta Station:

The ever popular pasta station offered three terrines respectively containing  a selection of:
Orechiette tossed with bay prawns, clams, and mint fish velout;
Oven baked cannelloni with beef ragout and topped with smoked cheese bechamel;
Pasta tri colori with garden vegetables caponata and basil scented olive oil.
Very Good.

Orechiete marinara.

Pasta tri colori.

Carvery and chaffing station.

The Chaffing Dishes and Carvery Station:

The main courses station was divided between the carving trolleys and the chaffing dishes counter.
En farced veal with port wine sauce and Roast Pork loin with granny smith apple compote and cider jus were on the carvery side. Good.

Roast Pork loin.

Stuffed veal.

The chaffing dishes included a selection of:
Seared Tuna with fennel ratatouille and cherry tomato sauce;
Game and root vegetable caserole in cabernet sauce;
Grilled beef medallions with parsnips, chips and tomato jus;
Tomato, peas and smoked cheese quiches;
accompanied by sauted seasonal vegetables; minted roasted new potatoes; and sauted potatoes lyonnaise.
Very Good.

Seared Tuna.

Game and root veg caserole

Grilled beef medallions.

Smoked cheese quiches and veg.

Turkey Shia tikka.

Ethnic Cuisine - Indian Station:

Various hotels are offering an ethnic cuisine station, ranging from Turkish, Chinese, Asian Fusion, North African and others. The ethnic choice at the Fra Martino is Indian and hot terrines offerring:
Turkey shia tikka;
Lamb korma;
Aubergine puree - Baingan Bharta;
Basmati rice and Indian spices; Crispy pappadoms, Naan bread and mango relish. Good.

The Cheese selection.

The Cheese Board:

A good selection of soft, medium and hard cheeses, local cheeselets with biscuits, grissini, dried fruits and nuts, to finish off your wine. Good.

Dessert selections.

The Dessert Stations:

An abundant selection of gateaux, tarts, mouses' pies, creme brulee, my favourite chocolate pudding, ricotta cannoli, fruit flans, etc,  chocolate fondue fountain with fruit and marsh mallows; which are better described through the photo illustration shown.
A seperate ice-cream station, and live pancake and waffle station. Excellent.

Flans, tarts, cassatella.

Chocolate fountain

A Children Station is also on offer displaying various children's favourites.
Entertainement was provided by the resident Fra Martino band and singer, who this year have tuned the music volume perfectly to provide enjoyable and relaxing background music.

Price per person: Eur29.50 adults/Children 6 to 12 Eur12.

Reviewers Impressions:

Ambience: Excellent.
Cuisine:     Very Good.
Preparation and presentation: Very Good.
Service and attention: Very Good.
Wine list: Excellent selection to suit most pockets and tastes.
Value for money: Very Good.


RATING: 9/10
Highly Recommended.

Contact information:
Fra Martino Restaurant - Corinthia Hotel St. George's Bay,
St. Julians,

Tel: 2370 2686; 2137 4114.