Restaurants of Malta No.10: Zeri's Restaurant.

2nd February, 2012.

View of Portomaso Marina
from the stairway.

Zeri's Restaurant at the Portomaso Complex, in St. Julians, has been in operation for about ten years and is owned and run by the Chef/Patron Mark Zerafa or as he is better known Zeri, which nickname as a matter of fact, was adopted to the restaurant's name.

Zeri's contemporary and excellent
ambience and decor.

Zeri's Restaurant is a contemporary and modern designed venue, situated in the center of St. Julians at the very fashionable Portomaso complex, and enjoys superb views of the marina and the surrounding environs. The inside decor is chic and stylish and is perfect for any occassion, be it a private dinner with family or friends, business lunches or dinners or for that special date. The restaurant offers a varied menu of fine, traditional Mediterranean cuisine, with an oriental inspiration, in both the prepartiona and presentation. The cuisine headings on the menu are titled in Italian, but underneath each choice, a detailed description in English is also given. This is a good idea, and helps to aviod surprises when the food is actually served

The Menu.

Tortina di Ricotta e Gbejna
Tradizionale Maltese as served
on our table. Average.

The menu choices are varied and consist of choices of:
Starters, described as Primi: which include, Zuppa de Pesce, Polipo all'Aglio, Carpaccio di Manzo, Cozze in Bianco and Funghi Farciti, which are priced from Eur7 to Eur11.50 respectively. This is then followed by a choice of some five different salads or Insalate, priced at about Eur9.5.
 A selection from the Pasta menu, comprise Rigatoni Del Nonno, Linguine Calamari, Risotto Vegetariano, Fiocchi di Speck e Fontina Valdostana, priced between Eur9.85 and Eur11.50.

Petto D'Anatra-Pan seared
Duck breast as served on our table.
Very Good.

Secondi or Main Courses are divided in two sections:
The "meat" section offer an array of Filetto di Manzo al tartufo, Medaglioni di Manzo "Italian Style" con Rucola e Parmigiano Reggiano, Controfiletto di Angus, Petto D'Anatra, Filetto d'Agnello and Petto di Pollo Fresco. There are no surprises here and prices vary from Eur18.60 to Eur22.50.
The Pesce Menu with Gamberoni allo Zenzero, Pecata Fresco del Giorno, Spigola (Sea Bass) al Forno, Salmone Norvegese fresco and Involtini di Spigola e Salmone. Priced at  Eur18.65 to Eur23, with a caveat for the fresh fish of day which comes in accordance with the quality of the daily catch and weight of portions.
All main courses are served with potatoes and hot vegetables, but if one wishes to order extra a list of three Contorni are offered at Eur2.50 each.

The Rigatoni del Nonno.
Good.

Our Cuisine Selections:

On this occassion we were a group of eight adults, and our food choices for the evening in question were as follows:
One Rigatoni del Nonno - rigatoni pasta with pieces of beef fillet and mushrooms, porcini and flavoured with a brandy infused sauce;

The Fiochi di Speck.
Average.

Three Fiochi di Speck e Fontina Valdostana - pasta parcels filled with smoked ham and Fontina cheese, tossed in a spinach and walnut cream sauce;
and Three Zuppa di Pesce - traditional Maltese fish soup with tomatoes and mint;
and one Tortina di Ricotta e Gbejna Tradizionale Maltese. Quality of starters served was average to good.




Our Main Course selections were also various and were as follows:

The Filetti di Manzo al Tartufo.
Excellent, tender just melts in
your mouth.

Three Filetto di Manzo al Tartufo - char grilled USDA American beef fillet topped with port and truffle flavoured cream sauce, cooked medium.
Two Filleto di Spigola al Forno - baked sea bass topped with a light lemon and parsley sauce.
One Medaglioni di Manzo "Italian Style" - char grilled beef medallions changed to suit the diner with mushrooms,   parmessan shavings and a balsamic and oil dressing- cooked well done.

Medaglioni di manzo.
Very Good.

One Petto D'Anatra - pan seared duck breast served with honey glazed parsnips and juniper berry jus.
One Involtini di Spigola e Salmone - oven baked involtini of sea bass and salmon topped with a light lemon and parsley sauce.
Quality of main courses served was very good. The USDA beef fillets were sublime.

Involtini di Spigola e Salmone.
Very Good.

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Filetto Di Spigola.
Average.

Chocolate fondant and ice-cream,
Very good.

Poached Pear in Red Wine
and ice-cream.
Excellent.

Dessert: Three poached pear in red wine and ice-cream; one Cassatella Siciliana; Four chocolate fondant. Desserts were very nice indeed and well presented.

Cassatella Siciliana.
Average.

The Wine List and wine Selection:

The Pisano Tannat 2008
an excellent red wine

Zeri's wine list is very commendable with priced selections ranging from some Eur18.50 for a very good Uruguayan Tannat to something about Eu295 for a French Grand Cru. Our wine choice to complement our food selections fell on two bottles of the Pisano Rio de Los Pajaros Reserve Tannat 2008. If you have never tried this grape variety (Tannat), do try it with a medium beef fillet, rib-eye or T-Bone steak. It's full-bodied, dry, and full of fruit flavours. Makes a difference from the normal varieties and at Eur18.50 a bottle it's a bargain.

Four bottles of mineral water and espressos, together with complimentary liqours offered by the restaurant completed a very decent meal, served very competently and efficiently by a group of well trained serving staff.


Value for money: The cost of the above cuisine choices, plus the wine, water and espressos came out to Eur332 inclusive of VAT, which works out at an average of Eur42 per person. This is considered to be very reasonable and good value, also considering that this restaurant is categorised as an up-market venue in an up-market location. Naturally price per person can be slightly higher or lower depending on cuisine selected, and of course choice of wine costing more than Eur20 will also make a difference in the final bill.
 Free parking at the Portomaso parking complex is provided.


All photos of food and wine have all been taken by myself, as each was served to us on our table.

REVIEWERS IMPRESSIONS.

Ambience and Decor: Very Good - modern, contemporary design.
Cuisine Quality:          Very Good.
Presentation and Preparation: Very Good.
Harmony of menu with concept of restaurant: Very Good.
Wine List and mark-up: Extensive wine list  with reasonable mark-ups depending on wine selected.
Service and attitude towards clients: Very Good.
Value for money: Very Good.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10 Mediterranean and Italian fine dining.
Recommended.

Contact Details:
Zeri's Restaurant,
Portomaso  Marina - St. Julians.
Tel:21359559 or 7957 3333.