Just a little place around the corner

Recently, I visited Malta and stayed in St Julian.  Very weirdly English seaside town, complete with the cold rainy weather but such is life I suppose.  Obviously when it is cold – as a foodie – it is my responsibility to check out the local restaurant scene and I stumbled across Ubistrot. 

Literally stumbled across as it was just outside my hotel!   It is incredibly sweet with a cosy warm interior done out in whitewashed wood with comfortable chairs and a sweet little bar.  Outside there are nice tables which overlook the sea and although it is by a main road, it is really pretty at night.

We sat inside as the rainy wet weather was definitely not conducive to alfresco dining and perused the extensive menu.  U bistrot is a multi-use restaurant as it does breakfast, lunch and dinner so the menu meanders from wraps to waffles to pasta.  It even has a reduced calorie section for those who are on a diet or just want to watch what they eat.

Their wine is excellent and I was delighted to have a nice crisp glass of South African Chenin Blanc with my lunch.  I had macaroni pasta with cheese and roast cauliflower ‘creamed’ into it.  OMG it was glorious, tasty and quite creamy without all the calories attached to the cream.  I will be trying this at home and would imagine that for hiding veggies from children in food it might be a good option.

My friend had a burger which was apparently tasty in a great bun.  It came with a smear of mayo and tomato so looked excellent as did the chips that came with it.   The waiter (I refuse to calls someone a waitron) was an utter sweetie and loved the South African band - Die Antwoord - so obviously had good taste.

I was sad to leave and have a nasty feeling that if this was just around the corner from my house, I might be spending many of my Saturdays enjoying the atmosphere and food.   Ubistrot – I salute you.

L xx

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The Best Pizza in Malta

I’ve worked in an Italian restaurant so when someone tells me that ‘they have the best pizza in Malta’, I worry.  Malta only has 400,000 permanent residents and while it is reassuringly close to Italy, it is still quite small.  Is this a bit like when my father claimed I was his favourite daughter (he only has one)?

However, I was curious enough to visit Margo's St. Julian to see what the fuss was about.  The restaurant does not pay homage to the old traditional ‘Mom and Pop’ restaurants which proliferate across Italy but something rather new.  The lines are clean, the space open, the furniture dark wood and there are loads of windows.  However, while it is clean, when rather empty (which is was the day after the election party), it does come across as a little sterile.

 The menu is extensive – both for wine and food.  However, it does try to be a little too clever, rather than simply stating the name, it tells a story and – somewhat bizarrely – everything that is not Pizza is jammed under starters.  Unless of course, you tend to have a full rack of ribs to start.

However, that said, when you work through the verbage, the pizza toppings are inspired.  YUM is pretty much the best description.   All the ingredients are fresh and appear to be not only locally sourced but from artisans.  Try the L’Affumicata  – smoked mozzarella, pancetta and sliced onion or the Maltese – tomatoes, sausage and pork or the Funghi – just so mushroomy.

Credit: André Baranowski

I had the Capricciosa with artichokes, mushrooms and pancetta – with anchovies.  Don’t judge me, I’m happy and it went with the fantastic South African red wine we were drinking.  The crust was thin and chewy which is a sign of excellent pizza, the toppings were fresh, tasty and generous.  I was in love.  In fact, I’ve probably dated men I like less than this pizza.

While I admired the concept of the orgasmic chocolate mousse (that is what the menu said), I was just too stuffed full of pizza.  And what did I learn?  Well, Malta might be small but it does some damn good pizza.

Lx

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