Sean Mallia
Oriental Blue Elephant The award-winning Blue Elephant restaurant within Hilton Malta (see p86) offers ambience and hospitality that come close to an authentic Thai experience, and remains one of the most renowned restaurants on the island. It is beautifully decorated with huts, waterfalls and lush greenery, reminiscent of a Thai landscape. Sip a refreshing Mai Tai while enjoying the glorious marina views, before sampling authentic Thai dishes such as dim sum and sweet and sour emerald chicken. Dietary requirements are well catered for. Hilton Malta, Portomaso (2138 3383). Open 7-10.30pm daily. Main courses €13-€20. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Buddhamann This eatery raises the bar in the field of ethnic and Asian-influenced cuisine. Another dining concept spearheaded by talented chef Marvin Gauci, Buddhamann offers a range of dishes including a wide variety of starters and sashimi, an extensive choice of sushi options
namely nigiri, temaki and hosomaki (sushi plates start from €6), as well as sushi platters. A designated lounge area is open all day, serving up innovative cocktails and nibbles. Marina Hotel Corinthia Beach Resort, St George’s Bay (2728 3342, www.buddhamann.com). Open noon-3pm, 6.30pm-midnight daily. Main courses €18-€28. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Gochi This was the first sushi bar of its kind in Malta and has retained its popularity, especially among those seeking a light, take-away snack on a hot summer evening. The sushi
Martin Pettersson
to introduce new dishes and to adjust to what the market has to offer. Every dish is full of flavour, clearly making use of great-quality ingredients – be they fresh local gbejniet (cheeselets), herbs from Gozo, mussels from Scotland, meat from Harmony Farm in Ireland or USDA beef rib-eye. The home-made desserts and Italian sorbets are also excellent. Main Street (2137 7504). Open 12.30-2.45pm Tue-Fri; 7-10.45pm Mon-Sat. Main courses €15-€23. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V.
Hugo’s Lounge Hugo’s Lounge is just one of a successful string of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that make up the ‘Hugo’s’ brand, all of which are located within Malta’s entertainment district of Paceville. Hugo’s Lounge, however, was the first one to be introduced, and keeps drawing crowds. The menu is mostly Asian-fusion, with plenty of fried starters, Eastern soups and curries, and sushi options prepared by Japanese chefs. The kitchen closes late, long after the restaurant turns into a hip clubbing venue. On Wednesdays, enjoy two-for-one on all cocktails until midnight, with the same offer every other day of the week until 6pm. Check out also Hugo’s Terrace (www. hugosterrace.com), the brand’s flagship outlet, located opposite St George’s Bay, complete with plush VIP seating, as well as Hugo’s Pub which is especially sought after by sports enthusiasts (2137 5956). St George’s Road, Paceville (2138 2264, www.hugosloungemalta.com). Open noon-4am daily. Main courses €6.50€16.50. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V.
Sako Sushi This popular sushi restaurant is well-established among an increasing list of sushi places in this area. One aspect that singles it out, however, is the sushi train that runs through it, allowing diners to view a variety of sushi dishes in four colour-coded plates, each colour denoting a different price. Simply pick out the plates that appeal to you off the train, keep them and hand them to your host when you’re done for your bill to be drawn accordingly. Sako’s menu includes a variety of maki, insideout rolls, sashimi, nigiri, temaki and a selection of salads. You could also opt to sit in Wagamama at the farthest end of the same restaurant for a choice of noodle and rice dishes. Requests for takeaway and delivery are accepted. St George’s Road, Spinola Bay (2138 2000, www.sakosushi.com). Open noon11pm daily. €1.85-€4.85 per portion. Credit AmEx, DC, JCB, MC, V. Zen Japanese Sushi Bar & Teppanyaki There’s a real authentic feel to this top-quality Japanese restaurant that is a celebration of time-honoured traditions, fresh ingredients and charming hospitality. Zen was the first Japanese restaurant in Malta and it is still widely regarded as one of the best. The cuisine here goes beyond the typical sushi dishes one associates with Japanese food; instead, it represents a more homely style of cooking still relatively unknown in the West, using high-quality ingredients and giving tradition a gourmet twist. To complete the experience, wash down your meal with Japanese sake and whisky. Free parking is available at Portomaso Car Park.
The Villa Brasserie. See p78.
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St Julian’s
Caviar & Bull. See p77.
is a mix of authentic and ‘modern’, with rolls including tuna-mayo and spicy chicken, salmon avocado and tempura prawn, as well as a different special each day. Gochi also provides a self-service concept, whereby diners can order at the front desk, take their food and find a place to sit on the floor at the low tables at the back, in true Japanese style. Alternatively, grab and go – for great value, we recommend the €30 Zen platter, which includes a delicious mix of all the popular bits. 148 St George’s Road (2138 2411). Open noon-10.30pm Tue-Sun. Main courses €2-€10. No credit cards.