Dinner at The Villa, St. Julians on Tuesday, 27th November, 2012.

Nicely executed dishes, with quality and fresh ingredients. Four persons in group, each ordering different dishes to test the versatility of the Chefs. We were not disappointed as each dish was well prepared and presented with very good cuisine.

Average price for the dinner (4 persons) as shown in the following photos was Eur45 per person, which included one bottle of Beoujolais Nouveau 2012, two bottles of water and espressos, plus complimentary Meridiana liqueurs.

Good value and very good, attentive service, with quality cuisine and presentations. Fine dining in a casual atmosphere.

Starters:

Pappardelle with Chorizo Sausages; Rabbit Livers; Fresh Tomato and mussels soup; Raviolacci di Carciofo.

Main Courses:

Grilled Irish Beef Rib-eye; Pan-frid Quail; Chicken Supreme Tagine; Milk-fed veal rib-eye.

Desserts: Blondie -white chocolate blondie with ice-cream; The Villa Mess; Dark Valrhona chocolate fondant.

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Business Lunch at Rubino - Old Bakery Street, Valletta.

Monday 26th November, 2012.

Mize/antipasto with servings of olives and anchovies; mixed veg dish; baked aubergines; bigilla and chick-pea dip for starters.

Grilled duck breast on caponata and grilled Tagliata di manzo; veg; Cassata Siciliana for dessert;

Half bottle wine; one bottle water and espressos. Total price Eur59.6 or Eur29.80 per person.

Rubino’s is a household name in Valletta not only as a restaurant of good standing but also as a dolceria producing its unique Cassata Siciliana which has been produced in this establishment since 1906.

Delicious , Italian style cuisine, reasonable prices and attentive, unruffled service.

A very quiet, unobtrusive establishment, ideal for business lunches in Valletta.

Menu on blackboard; Appetizer- anchovies, olives and fresh bread; Antipasto vegetarian; Individual portion of the antipasto; Pan-fried duck breast on caponata; Grilled Irish rib-eye steak; Potatoes and veg; Cassata Siciliana.

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Sunday lunch at Tal-Familja Restaurant, Marsascala,

Sunday, 25th November, 2012.

Four persons in group, We were shown a beautiful array of fresh fish all marked with their own weight. A very commendable idea because everyone would know what they have selected as fresh fish prices are normally set at a price per 100gm. In this case the pice was about Eur4 per 100gm, exceptionally good value.

We ordered six fresh oysters to start with; followed by a fish and seafood oriented meze to share;

Mains constituted fresh fish from the display each, being two Sea breams and two Bronze Breams;

Dessert was a tasting portion each as shown in the photo. Complimentary antipasto was also served at the beginning of the meal.

One bottle imported white wine; two bottles water; espressos; and complimentary liqueurs.

Price total Eur216. Considering the oysters and the imported wine as additional, the price is considered reasonable for the selections and the quality. Normal lunch price per person, less the oysters, for food only approximately Eur42 per person.

A leading up-market casual dining restaurant, serving fine cuisine, fish and seafood oriented, in the South of Malta.

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Overall Ratings for these restaurants remain as per previous reviews as published in this website.

All three are Recommended as good value restaurants for their category.

Each of these restaurants are led by young chefs who are already making a name for themselves in the restaurant industry in Malta, namely:

Chris Hammet for The Villa; Andrew Diacono for Rubino, and last but certainly not least Roberta Preca for Tal-Familja.