Restaurants visited during June, 2014 - 12 restaurants visited and reported upon.

With reference to the restaurants that we have visited in June 2014, we have already published a feature about our Summer sojourn in Gozo in which reviews on: L’Ortolan; Il-Gardina Al Fresco Restaurant; Il-Baldakkin Bistro and Lounge; and Trattoria San Lawrenz; all of which are situated at the Kempinsli Hotel San Lawrenz; as well as reviews on Chez Amand at Qbajjar, Marsalforn; Porto Vecchio in Mgarr, Gozo; and a mention on Kozmo in Victoria were published. In Malta we had also visited and published separate reviews on this website on Il-Wejla Restaurant at Smart City, Malta; and New Madras Indian Restaurant at Bugibba. Readers are invited to go directly to the relevant page on this website by clicking on “Restaurants” to see the full reviews on these establishments.

Other restaurants that were visited during June, 2014 are as follows, some of which also have full reviews on the “Restaurant” pages of this website as per previous visits, as well as on our Facebook Group’s discussion wall and photo library:

Sunday lunch at Pintonino: Seafood, fish and live lobsters - 1st June 2014:

A good selection of Pintonino’s seafood antipasti was ordered and served impressive as a starter to share between four persons, with langoustine, fresh red king prawns, fish neonati fritters, and fresh tuna cubes in sea anemone sauce. The Sea Bream was grilled as requested by one of the diners, and the lobsters were cooked Pintonino’s way and served on a bed of fettucine pasta.

Verdict: The Sea Bream on its own was very good but when compared with the lobsters it did not stand a chance. The Scottish lobsters won hands down against the Canadian, which although very good indeed, did not match the creaminess and soft texture of the Scots. Do not get me wrong here, both the Sea Bream and the Canadian lobster were very, very good, and full of freshness and flavour, but the Scottish lobsters were a couple of steps above. Anyway, this was another excellent lunch, cooked and prepared to order by Charles DeManuele, Pintonino’s Chef-Patron, who never disappoints when it comes to seafood, fish and fresh lobsters.

Value, of the lunch, excluding the wine, but inclusive of four bottles of water, dessert and espressos, approximately EUR53.50 per person. Two bottles of an excellent Vermentino from Sardinia were ordered, which complemented the lunch excellently. I am in no doubt whatsoever, that Pintonino, who is a WRMC Blue Riband Restaurant, is a top-notch, “destination” restaurant for seafood, lobsters and fresh fish.

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Dinner at Pepe Nero @Jessie’s Bar, Ta’ L-Ibragg.

Friday, 6th June, 2014.

Jessie’s Bar has been in existence at one of the busiest, heavy traffic intersection on St. Andrew’s Road and Ta’ L-Ibragg Rood, for many years. Originally known for a quick beer, and a “hobza biz-zejt” or a “hobza bil-bajd u l-bacon”, this place has been transformed by its present operators, into a very laid back, casual diner, offering a huge pizza menu. a bistro style menu which changes every day in accordance with what is freshly available on the market. Having operated for a number of years, Pepe Nero Restaurant at the Valletta Waterfront, plus another two restaurants at that same location, Ottavio Suda and partners, took over Jessie’s Bar a year or two ago, and renamed the place Pepe Nero@Jessie’s Bar.

The daily menu changes with the time of day, viz: breakfast; lunch and dinner, and the daily offerings are listed on a blackboard. The pizza menu is standard and is displayed outside the restaurant, as well as presented at each table. The daily specials are explained by the attending head waiter or the table’s waiter. Portions are large, and some dishes can be ordered in both starters as well as main course portions. Our food selections during our visit, are being explained in the following photos of the food, which photos have been taken of the dishes as served. See each photo individually for the descriptive caption.

Service is very good, wine list offers a good selection at reasonable mark-ups. Value of the - four course -dinner as shown including food, water and espressos (excluding wine) came up to EUR129.5 between four viz: EUR32.4 per person. Very good value. One can of course opt for a pizza dinner which vary from just EUR6 for the Foccaccia Estiva at EUR6 to the Cinghiale del Bosco pizza at EUR13.50; or a large plate of the daily pasta dishes at about Eur8 to Eur11, or a main course as shown on the menu board. Worth a try, booking for weekends is advised.

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Vermell Bistro & Restaurant :

Fathers Day lunch with the family, at VERMELL BISTRO, St.Julians, . Eleven-course Misto Del Chef - Seafood degustation. Freshest ingredients, excellent presentation and cuisine quality. This is certainly a seafood feast, prepared by the Chef to be shared and enjoyed. Normal price for this selection, excluding drinks, water and wine is a very reasonable EUR45 per person. One of our favourite restaurants for good food, service and value for money. Check-out all photos and descriptive captions by clicking on any photo and follow the arrows sideways.

This restaurant has been reviewed at other times on this website.