Lunch on Sunday, 21st October, 2012.

In our series of features to highlight various selected Sunday buffet lunches being offered by some of the top hotels in Malta, we are starting the new season’s 2012/2013 series with the Fra Martino Restaurant at Corinthia St. George’s Bay Hotel. We have already reviewed this buffet lunch, in previous seasons, 2009, 2010, 2011, and have selected it once again for the 2012/2013 season, as this venue has always maintained the quality of the cuisine and service offered, as well as offering good value for a stupendous, family, Sunday lunch.

I shall not dwell unduly on the history of the hotel, as this was covered in last season’s review, therefore I will go straight for the cuisine on offer.

The lavish buffet choices were presented on some ten different food stations as follows:

The ever popular, cold Antipasto Station:

This station was divided into sections offering seafood, marinated fish, such as a whole salmon, mussels, clams, smoked salmon, prawns, and more; the cold meat section; various delicacies; and the sushi station.

The Pasta Station:

This is another well sought after station, especially by Maltese clients, and three very appetizing different pasta dishes were presented - which can be seen from the published photos, with the descriptive labels.

Pasta and Indian Dishes selections.

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The Soup Station:

The soup station offered two types of soups - Root vegetable minestrone with bacon and mozzarella balls; and Roast pumpkin soup with rosemary oil.

The Indian Food Station:

This station is a standard offering at the Fra Martino, and dishes are changed every Sunday. Rice, papadams, chicken korma, curried pork, were on offer.

The Main Course Station:

This station offered some mouthwatering hot dishes ranging from a succulent roast beef sirloin; Roast leg of Gammon with an apple and almond salsa; Lamb with mushrooms and prunes.; Baked Grouper on a pepper and olive soffrito; Cajun dusted grilled breast in a rich tomato sauce; Vegetable lasagne; vegetables and potatoes.

A Children station with chicken nuggets, sausages and other tit-bits was also available, but most children opted for the more appetizing pasta dishes.

The Cheese Station:

A very good array of local cheeselets and imported cheeses were presented with biscuits, nuts and fruit was displayed.

The Dessert Stations:

I say stations because, apart from the main cake console, there was also the waffle station, and the ice-cream parlour, which are ever so popular with all diners.

Entertainmentwas as usual for Fra Martino, provided by the hotel’s resident band and singer. The sound was once again turned a bit on the high side this year, and although both the band and the female vocalist are very good, keeping the volume down would provide a better atmosphere within the restaurant and less noise pollution which is consequently exacerbated by people having to shout to keep a conversation around the table.

Value for money: The value for money is very good for the amount and quality of food presented, at Eur32.50 per person, adults; Eur12.50 for children 6 to 12 years of age.

Reviewers Impressions:

Consistently very good quality, year after year.

Ambience: Excellent.

Cuisine: Very Good.

Preparation and presentation: Very Good.

Service and attention: Very Good.

Wine list: Very good local and imported wine selection. Mark-up slightly on the high side.

Value for money overall: Very Good.

Overall RATING: 9/10

Recommended.