Restaurant Visits Round-up for June 2013.

VERMELL - Spinola Bay - 7TH JUNE 2013.

Vermell Restaurtant, Spinola Bay, St. Julians. Full review and rating, with full photo illustrations of the cuisine served has been published separately on this website WINES AND RESTAURANTS OF MALTA. Log-in directly on http://winesandrestaurantsofmalta.com/restaurant/vermell-bistro-spinola-bay-st-julians/ to view this review. Rating 9/10

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BROWN’S - Valletta Waterfront - 15TH JUNE, 2013.

Saturday evening (15th June that is), decided to pay a visit to the Valletta Waterfront, now that the end of Spring is showing an excellent opportunity for al fresco dining. The place was chock-a-block with people and the “walk-by” trade for the restaurants was enormous. A walk through to see what has changed indicated some wonderful changes and improvements. First and foremost, that ghastly music which used to blare from Hard Rock all day long, seem to have been stopped, well done to whomever stopped it, we have been complaining about this for years as the noise pollution produced by that music was unbearable.

Some of the restaurants have either changed ownership, concept, or have been refurbished. Q-Bar which is the first restaurant found (from the Marsa side) has been taken over by the owners of Bistro 516 , and totally refurbished and up-graded as a very up-market restaurant. We had a look inside and were very impressed. Of course a visit to sample the food and the service is called for before passing and further comments. Another restaurant which has been completely transformed is Heat restaurant, which is now being run under the name of “Caliente Latin Fusion and Lounge” after an eight month refurbishing exercise, and specialising in Spanish and Latin cuisine. Another one to try out in the coming weeks. By the way is the operators of Caliente are the same as for the previous Heat as well as Pepe Nero.

Finally we settled to have dinner at Brown’s, where we had previously reserved a table for about 20.30. Brown’s has also changed hands in the last year or so, and is operated under two sections. The Brown’s Dine & Dance, casual dining section, and Brown’s which has the more formal indoors section. As business on the Valletta Waterfront, is seasonally, mainly al fresco, both outside areas of the two restaurants have the same menu, which covers anything from pizza, pasta, and grill, but then on the Brown’s side a number of “daily specials” are offered oer and above the standard menu, comprising fresh fish from the display, huge 1.4 kg T-Bone steaks for two sharing, lobster on pasta, etc.

Our food order, was for a serving of sauted fresh mussels, Ravioli Funghi Porcini, mushrooms in garlic and calamari fritti as starters. Main courses consisted of servings of: Roasted Half baby chicken; a serving of Brown’s special beef fillet with spinach and cheese, which turned out to be two fillet portions; and a large grilled T-Bone for two sharing. Desserts: White chocolate and nougat praline, pannacotta and sorbet. A good bottle of Australian Shiraz; two bottles of water, espressos and complementary Avernas. Very good food, good presentations, attentive service. Price total: Eur145.17 or Eur36.30 per person (we were four adults by the way). Excellent value for money. Rating 8./10

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FATHER’S DAY LUNCH - Tal-Familja Restaurant, Marsascala- 16TH JUNE, 2013.

Fathers Day lunch yesterday June 16th, at Tal-Familja Restaurant in Marsascala. The restaurant as expected, was very busy for this occasion and Chef Roberta prepared a special menu, not a set menu by any means as there was a choice of some twenty starters and main courses. The set-price for a choice of one starter and one main course was just Eur30 per person, with choices of seafood, pasta, fish and meat.

Our food choices, group of six adults and a child: Starters - Mussels in broth; calamari rings; gamberi ravioli; and three spaghetti seafood. Tortellini with cream sauce for the child. Main Courses: Stuffed calamari on rice; stuffed calamari in rich sauce; one sea bass fillet with prawns; one 700gm Pagru - Sea Bream; and two Fritto Misto. Complemenetary amuse bouche; bruschetta; bigilla and beans in garlic with galletti were served prior to serving the lunch orders. Desserts: traditional mqarett with ice-cream; Cassatellla Siciliana, mixed ice-cream for the child, and sherry trifle. One bottle of a good Italian wine, four bottles of water, espressos and complementary liqours. Total cost: Eur 253 or Eur42 per person all inclusive, Good food, good service although the place was very busy, good value. RATING 8./10

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CALIENTE Latin Fusion- Valletta Waterfront - 19TH JUNE, 2013.

Yesterday, Wednesday 19th June, wanted to sample something different in food so we drove off to the Valletta Waterfront, to try out the recently opened CALIENTE Latin Fusion & Lounge Restaurant. By the way, Caliente which in fact means heat (hot, heated, etc) has actually replaced the previous restaurant which was named Heat., but is still operated by the same owners.

The new restaurant which has undergone a full four months’ refurbishment programme, up-grading in internal decor and general atmosphere, and which has also radically changed its concept, offers a menu of Spanish and Latin dishes, prepared to order by Spanish chefs, from a fully refurbished, glass enclosed kitchen.

The menu offers choices of: Hot and cold tapas; Spanish platters to share; latin salads; traditional Spanish and Latin soups; pasta dishes; selections of Paellas prepared for two persons to share; selections of meat main course dishes, including local rabbit cooked with chorizo sausages, garlic, olive oil and thyme. They also make their own chocolate fondant, but on this Wednesday it was not available, possibly due to the fact, that Wednesdays are not busy days that might warrant preparing the mix .

Our food choices: We ordered an Asparagus Gratinados from the hot tapas selections, which consisted of asparagus wrapped in cured Serrano ham, and stuffed with goat cheese au gratin and cooked in basil butter. For main course we ordered a Paella De Marisco to share, which was produced from Spanish Calasparra rice, with red peppers, onions, garlic, chopped tomatoes, black mussels, prawns, and cooked and simmered in shellfish broth in the same pan that it is served in. A good bottle of chilled Rioja white wine, a bottle of water, and espressos, plus complimentary Avernas. Suggestion to make, would be the introduction of a small selection of traditional Spanish home-made desserts. Price overall including food, wine, water, desserts and espressos Eur64 for two persons (Eur32pp). Food, service, wine selection and mark-up, and value for money considered very good and worth a try or two this Summer. RATING 8/10

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LA CUCINA DEL SOLE Trattoria, Pizzeria, Tigne Point - 21ST JUNE, 2013.

It is not often that one goes to a family oriented-casual dining restaurant, and finds that the establishment offers excellent cuisine from focaccia, pizza and pasta, to the finest Italian antipasti, fresh fish and selections of meat from the grill to suit all manner of tastes and pockets, coupled with excellent and attentive service and a very good wine list with very reasonable mark-ups. We were actually pleasantly surprised to enjoy such an experience yesterday at LA CUCINA DEL SOLE at Tigne Point. As such this establishment describes itself as a Trattoria- Pizzeria, but one which in my opinion is well above the average norm for such a concept. The restaurant has recently introduced a new menu for Summer, and it was about time that we tried it out.

Food ordered: A selection of antipasti to share between four persons were selected : Polipo Marinato - marinated octopus flavoured with herbs; Calamari in Padella - pan fried baby squid with white wine, garlic, onions and herbs; Crostine con Tartare de Pescespada - raw chunks of swordfish, marinated and served with capers on toasted Maltese bread; and Gamberi in Padella - pan seared prawns with garlic and lemons. A very nice and appetizing choice which stimulated our taste buds for the chilled Sauvignon Blanc selected and the fish main course. For mains, we selected a large Lipp- Blue Ling, (although this was described as Lizz by the head waiter), which was cooked acqua pazza, to share between four, which was supplemented by the Chef’s recommendation of some pink king prawns . Fresh Maltese bread, hot vegetables and potatoes were served on the side, as well as the jus from the fish which was served in separate sauce dispensers . Dessert: Desserts offered were a choice from just four selections, Pannacotta, Tiramisu, Fig tart and chocolate tart which were displayed on a tray at table, and the choice fell on a pannacotta and two servings of the fig tart. Two bottled of a very good, Montes Sauvignon Blanc, two bottles of water, espressos and complementary Avernas completed the dinner. Value for the food: Eur125 (Eur31.25 per person). Wine (two bottles), water, espressos were an additional Eur45 (Eur11.25pp). Very nice food, very good service. The establishment is very family oriented, has an excellent al fresco area with views of Marsamxetto Harbour and the Valletta bastions, all contributing to an enjoyable Summer dinner. RATING 8.5/10

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AL MOLO Restaurant - Portomaso - 26TH JUNE, 2013.

An excellent business lunch at Don Serafino Al Molo, yesterday Wednesday. Great ambience at the Portomaso Yacht Marina, with excellent and professional service, topped by really good food. Food choices: Saute’ di cozze, vongole e pomodorini
(sautéed mussels and clams and tomatoes) for starters; and Filetto di pesce con purè di patate e cipolle con salsa ristretta ai funghi e porri croccanti
(fish fillet with a potato and onion puree served with a mushroom sauce and crunchy leeks); followed by an exquisite portion to share of their home made mille foglie dessert. One bottle of wine; one bottle of water; espressos, and the usual complementary Avernas. Don Serafino Al Molo Restaurant has improved by leaps and bounds since it was placed under new management, with completely new staff at the end of last year. Cannot really quote prices as this was a business lunch, but considered to be reasonable for the top class category of establishment, cuisine and service. RATING 9/10

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RISTORANTE COSMANA NAVARRA, RABAT, MALTA - 28TH JUNE, 2013.

RESTAURANT OF WEEK: RISTORANTE COSMANA NAVARRA, Rabat, Malta. Visited Friday, 28th June, for the first “Friday Fish Nights” dinner, which is being introduced by this restaurant to run every Friday during Summer. An excellent fish and seafood feast, available both on the exclusive “Fish Nights Menu”, or through a special itemised and individually priced “a la carte menu”. LOG-IN directly on link http://winesandrestaurantsofmalta.com/restaurant/ristorante-cosmana-navarra-rabat-malta/ to see the full review and cuisine photo illustrations of the food as served. RATING 9/10.

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Two other restaurants visited in June, both of which did not make it to a separate review or rating as both restaurants have fallen well back in ratings were Don Berto at the Vittoriosa Waterfront, and Grotto Tavern in Rabat, which restaurant is closing down in the first week of July, 2013.