Baia Beach Club If you fancy distancing yourself from the rest of the world, a visit to Baia Beach Club is an absolute must. Located along beautiful Armier Bay, Baia encompasses all the great aspects of a seaside resort. Designed around a blue and white theme, it includes a beach club with beachside service, a cocktail bar, luxury beach furniture (at a price) as well as a restaurant, operated by a team of Italian chefs who excel in fresh wild fish dishes. The fish can be cleaned at your table upon request and the choice of fish changes according to the fisherman’s daily catch. New on the lido menu this year is a range of tasty piadine, Italian flatbread heated on a grill. Head to the beach club on Saturday mornings for yoga classes using stand up paddle boards, or visit an on-site beautician for massages and other beauty treatments, by appointment. Be sure to book ahead. Check out the website to benefit from discounted packages on weekdays.
Little Armier, l/o Mellieha (2157 0942, www.baiabeachclub.com). Open (hours change monthly – refer to website). Main courses €20-€28. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Bouquet Garni Chefs and brothers Darren and Wayne prepare delectable dishes in this small family-run restaurant in the heart of Mellieha village. The elegant wood décor and welcoming atmosphere serve as a great backdrop for a delicious meal. We recommend you take your pick from the ever-changing and varied specialities board, although the regular plates are a definite hit too, such as the fresh fish platter, prime rib and the popular pavlova with berry compôte and Chantilly cream. 4 Gorg Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha (2152 2234). Open 6.30-10.15pm Mon-Sat. Main courses €17-€23. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Commando Restaurant Commando Restaurant is a welcoming, family-run eatery within the quaint open space leading to the imposing 17thcentury Church of Our Lady of Mellieha. Talented chef Damian Ciappara is renowned for his simple yet refined tasty dishes. Dig into the chicken liver pâté with toasted brioche and local grape jam, or one of the legendary rustic pasta dishes, followed by roasted cutlet of milk-fed veal or a
Lawrence Bonnici
Bugibba & Around
choice. For dessert, we recommend the seven veils gâteau with marzipan sorbet – unforgettable. The venue calls for smart attire, and be sure to book ahead. 113 Gorg Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha (2152 0533, www. thearchesmalta.com). Open 7-11pm Tue-Sat. Main courses €25-€32. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V.
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plate of uber-fresh fish or seafood. A permanent much-loved resident on the menu is the hot chocolate fondant, served with ice-cream. Iz-Zjara tal Papa Gwanni Pawlu II – 26 ta’ Mejju 1990 Square, Mellieha (2152 3459, www. commandorestaurant.com). Open May-Sept 6.30-10.30pm Tue-Sun; Oct-Apr 6.30-10.30pm Tue-Sat; noon3.30pm Sun. Main courses €18-€24. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Essence Overlooking gorgeous Golden Bay, this sophisticated restaurant offers five-star service and delectable food. Diners seeking a fantastic meal could start with the pan-fried local calamari with wilted kale, black olives and chorizo oil. Moving on to mains, the choice is limited to a handful of dishes, but each dish comprises a completely different food offering to the other and is prepared with precision – we highly recommend the panfried duck breast served with spiced walnuts, pomegranate sauce and roasted pear. Top it off with one of the refined desserts. Ask at the hotel reception desk for opening times in winter. Radisson Blu Resort & Spa, Malta Golden Sands, Golden Bay, Mellieha (2356 1000). Open May-Oct 7-10pm Tue-Sat (times may vary). Main courses €19.50-€26.50. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V.
Giuseppi’s Restaurant You’re guaranteed a top-notch meal at this eatery run by talented and self-taught chef Michael Diacono who for years has been delivering an ever-changing menu filled with original dishes, many of which vary according to season. Some have remained unchanged by popular demand however, such as the arancini with squid ink, the linguini with sea urchins and the quail stuffed with mushrooms and foie gras. Finish off your meal with a delicious serving of imqaret (date-filled pastries), and you’re in for an unforgettable evening. Main Street, Mellieha (2157 4882, www.giuseppismalta.com). Open 7.3010.30pm Mon-Sat. Main courses €18€23. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Il-Mithna Housed within a quaint 17thcentury converted windmill, Il-Mithna (meaning ‘the windmill’ relies on simple cooking using fresh ingredients to offer a traditional menu with a somewhat international, modern twist. The menu changes depending on what’s in season, but we do recommend some of the resident dishes such as the lobster ravioli and slowroasted, marinated local pork belly covered in honey, paprika, lemon juice and red wine. While dining you can also marvel over original paintings by Joseph Cremona, which are available to buy.
Café del Mar. See p141.