REVIEW: Fernando Gastrotheque- a Michelin-worthy powerhouse in Sliema

I can officially say that I've had the absolute best fine dining experience in Malta so far. It ruined too many restaurants for me. Where? Unassumingly at Fernando Gastrotheque in Sliema.

Fernando Gastrotheque is an exquisitely interior-designed destination that opened two years ago as a wine bar and deli counter offering the creme de la creme of artisanal cheeses and meats.

They only just recently started to focus on the food menu, so I really hope that's why MICHELIN overlooked them, that or they were drunk.

Moving on from tapas, they decided to finally launch a full blown restaurant menu (which they always had in mind) created by Chef Laszlo Sragli, who has worked in some of the best restaurants internationally and locally, his past credentials includes the head chef of The Harbour Club.

You can either individually choose your dishes from the meticulously handwritten board, or indulge in a reasonably-priced tasting menu to sample a bit of everything that's on offer. Four courses will cost you 50EUR and six courses at 70EUR (excluding wine).

First came an amuse bouche involving local potatoes. The skin was a salt crust, which you cut into to reveal the actual moist potato. Not just a gimmick, it was exceptionally delicious, flavourful, and brought an immersive experience to the table. Great start so far!

I was surprised by the depth and nuance of the local stonebass crudo. It is accompanied by smoked soy sauce and coriander oil which is wonderfully present on the tongue. The red quinoa toppings added colour and a crunchy texture.

The kitchen's skill is again made evident with our grilled octopus course. Although the tentacle ends were crispy and charred, the main meat was so succulent, it felt as if it was done by sous-vide. This was joined well with smoked bell pepper cream and puffed amaranth.

Although I love beef carpaccio, I wouldn't call it an exciting dish. I was proven wrong with this one. The aged-parmesan cream really elevated this otherwise omnipresent (and sometimes bland) starter.

Pigeon on a menu, being one of my favourite meats, makes me grin like the Chesire Cat. Unlike the UK, it's pretty rare to see it as an option in Malta.

Fernando's exquisite version was married with local figs, aged pecorino and a majoram dressing which helped cut through the earthiness of the bird.

As I mentioned before, Fernando Gastroteque opened shop as a wine and deli. Everyone that knows me knows that I will always choose a cheese platter for dessert when given the option. The smellier the better.

This cheese platter really hit the spot and was exceptionally presented, as you can see.

Love wine? They offer over 600 different wines, stock around 2000 bottles and 100 different wines by the glass.

They are very adamant about the wine service, serve all their wines in varietal specific Riedel glass, and also have a large selection of jaw-dropping decanters.

To conclude, I can imagine Fernando Gastrotheque as a Michelin restaurant in London (Marylebone for sure) but lucky for you, it is in Sliema. Everything is consistent and of the highest quality, including the service. 

A flawless dining experience, without a doubt in my mind!

Fernando Gastrotheque
6 Tigne Street 
Sliema
Website