jump to navigation

Malta again - British Jet.com and another good restaurant February 11, 2006

Posted by CamdenKiwi in : Cafes & Restaurants, Miscellany, Travel , trackback

Trying to do a day trip to Malta is a bit of a drag. It’s too far, and the flights don’t help, so I had to stay over for two nights, which is hardly a problem given the lovely people I get to work with there, and the excellent restaurants.

I flew with British Jet this time, rather than BA. I’d never heard of it either, but it’s a Maltese low-cost airline, running a couple of MD90s, with good service for the cost and a worthwhile alternative to BA or Air Malta. If you’re on your own and want some space, seat 22B is beside the wing exit, and there’s no 22A. Although they claim to be very strict about handbaggage, I was allowed on with 7kgs. They did ask me to put it into two bags so none was over 5kgs, which is fair enough - I don’t want that falling on my head either.

On Friday night I went with my colleague and her husband to Del Borgo, in St John St, Birgu. Birgu is also known as Vittoriosa, and is one of the ‘three cities’, and another of the tiny medieval cities which are a feature of the island. This place is extremely popular, and booking a week or two in advance is highly recommended. We started with shared dips, which came with a mountain of bread and were almost a meal in themselves. The rucola one was creamy and piquant, with the spicy, traditional Maltese broad bean dip a lot stronger and perhaps more of an acquired taste. The third one was more sweet, and with tomato and other ingredients that we couldn’t quite identify. I had thought we ordered hummus, but if so it was an unusual, if very palatable, hummus. We then moved on to a pasta dish of tortellini filled with blue cheese, gorgonzola and artichoke hearts which was creamy and pleasant, but not a highlight.

I was really too full for dessert, but a plate of petit fours was a good way to finish. The wines were Maltese, from the Medina vineyard. We started with a lighter shiraz, and then moved on to a cabernet sauvignon, which was fuller and more oaky. By that time though, I was suffering from the 2am arrival the night before, and feeling a little cold. If I’ve one suggestion for the management, it’s to buy some heaters!

Comments»

no comments yet - be the first?