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BARBAJEAN REVIEW: a glossier-than-usual neighbourhood restaurant in Dingli
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BARBAJEAN REVIEW: A GLOSSIER-THAN-USUAL NEIGHBOURHOOD RESTAURANT IN DINGLI
Incongruously located in Dingli, Barbajean is a glossier-than-usual neighbourhood restaurant which recently opened. Push open the eye-popping green front door and you’ll be in awe of the impeccable interior design thanks to Mizzi Studio (and the spot on branding is exemplary without trying too hard).
Dark green, pink, and gold undertones are the decor colours of choice including the tables, cushy velvet seating, the stare-worthy neon lights, and bar counter.
You feel like you've been transported into a Wes Anderson movie, it makes a nice change from the white table-clothed eateries.
The menu is as eye-pleasing as the interiors. Our first starter of choice was scotch egg using Maltese sausage meat.
The crisp crumb exterior gave way to succulent herby pork encasing a delicately soft boiled egg with the perfect yolk. A signature in its own right.
The bao buns looked a bit out of place on the menu, I didn't think it fitted the concept but I adore soft shell crab so I went for it and glad I did.
The fluffy cloud-like pillowy buns were enveloped by a tender soft shell crab with no excessive oil, and a satisfying crunch.
A trio of plump juicy pan-roasted scallops, laying on a bed of rice married with tarragon oil, was one of the most creative risotto dishes that have passed my lips in a long time.
The preserved lemon and saffron elements sent my tastebuds into overdrive.
Another winner from the pasta and rice section was the glorious silk handkerchief pasta with roasted walnuts, parmesan cream and confit yolk. A rich and luxurious dish worth my second visit.
My first main of choice was the roasted rump of lamb. It was intricately flavoured, tender and just a joy to eat.
Kudos to the roasted fillet of seabass donning superb crispy skin. This came with a dream team entourage of vanilla potato cream and sea asparagus. A very bold and memorable seabass dish indeed.
Overall, I highly recommend Barbajean if you really enjoy good food. It's modern, has so much character, the service is great, and it's something the island didn't know they needed.
Barbajean
No 6, Misrah Frenc Abela
Triq il-Parroċċa
Website
Elsa Messi
Food connoisseur, curiosity feeder and travel queen. Londoner who has lived in Tokyo and now based in Malta.
I like what I C: Cheese, cats, consuming cuisines, canines, cooking, clothes and countries. I also like taking long romantic walks to the fridge.
