Dinner at the newly refurbished Q-BAR & Restaurant at the Valletta Waterfront, on Friday 5th July, 2013.

When a good restaurant closes down or change hands, especially if the establishment was operated by the chef as Chef/Patron, I always wonder as to where the Chef has moved to new pastures. I can name half dozen such circumstances, one of which came to light yesterday during a very enjoyable dinner at Q-BAR RESTAURANT at the Valletta Waterfront. I am talking about Ray Fauzza, (ex-Don Fauzza Restaurant of M’Scala), one of Malta’s leading chefs, who has since February this year teamed-up with Patrick Spiteri (ex-Spoon Restaurant at Portomaso and Bistro 516 at the VW) to totally transform Q-Bar into a very appealing and up-scale casual dining restaurant at the Valletta Waterfront. Prosit for a good job well done on all fronts.

Q-BAR & Restaurant offers a very good ambience and atmosphere, refurbished with very appealing and pleasant furniture, and excellent glassware, modern plate-ware and cutlery which give a unique appeal. The menu offers choices of some excellent Ray Fauzza’s creations such as the thick fish soup which is a very rich Italian style Cacciucco (tipo bouillabaise ), meat from the grill, fresh fish, oysters, stuffed calamari, antipasti, pasta, and a sumptuous and decadent dessert presentation on the table of fresh fruit and pastries.

Food ordered:

Starters - Oysters served on ice; the classic Cacciucco; risotto marinara; and a specially made thick vongole and prawn soup.

The starters.

Main Courses: one serving of stuffed calamari from the day’s specialities; and three separate servings of fish from the display.

The main courses.

Dessert: The head waiter suggested a display of fresh fruits and pastries for four, which was way over the top (and I am trying to loose some weight!!), delicious, and the fresh fruit was a nice touch. Two bottles of a good Pinot Grigio; two bottles of water; and espressos. Complementary limoncellos served in an ice-glass (actual ice shaped like a glass), beautiful.

The dessert display served for four persons to share. A fresh fruit display and an assortment of cakes, ice cream wedges, etc.

Cuisine quality very good, well prepared and presented.

Service: very good service through the very competent head waiter and two waiters.

Wine List: Good choices at very reasonable mark-ups.

Value for money: Cost of the above dinner excluding the wine, which could vary the cost according to choice was a very good EUR152 between four persons (Eur38 per person). Worth a try.

Reviewers Impressions:

Ambience: Good.

Cuisine quality: Very Good.

Preparation and presentation: Very Good.

Wine list and mark-ups: Good choice of both local and imported wine, reasonable mark-ups.

Value for money: very good.

Service and attention to clients requirements: very Good +.

RATING: 8.5/10

RECOMMENED

Contact:

Q-Bar & Restaurant,

Valletta Waterfront.

Tel: 2727 6808 - Mobile: 9985 2610