San Giuliano | Consistent excellency
In the glistening sunshine of the spring, lunch at San Giuliano is a treat not to be missed.
Rachel Zammit Cutajar
Whenever anyone asks me to recommend a restaurant I always go for San Giuliano. For foreigners and locals alike, it is a great spot, located in the old arched boathouses overlooking the glistening Spinola Bay with the sunshine streaming in through large glass windows. What's more is the food as well as the service is consistent and fabulous.
The menu is fish dominated and the fish can't be any fresher, with fishermen docking their boats just metres from the restaurant and saving the best of their catch for the restaurant.
Appetizers include the freshest carpaccios or raw fish or if you're not watching your waistline, the most incredible pasta dishes with a selection of fish. Hard as I try to order something different, every time I go I always have the bavette with prawns and calamari, even if I decide otherwise, once the waiter gets to our table my mouth moves on its own and I have the same pasta, and that is by no means a bad thing.
The fish served for mains depends on the fishermen's catch and can be cooked to your liking, my favourite is in sale - baked under a thick layer of hardened salt. The fish is superbly filleted at your table with hardly a bone making it to your plate.
The meat on the menu is just as spectacular, with favourites like the perfectly tender fillet steak or the lombata di vitella alla Milanese - thin pieces of veal, still on the bone, covered in breadcrumbs and pan fried - simply delicious.
In keeping with the Italian theme, desserts are made by an Italian patissier and include the traditional favourites like Cassata Siciliana, Rum Baba and tiramisu. They also serve a popular Tarte Tatin - a warm apple tart with vanilla ice cream, and an oozy chocolate soufflé that is just to die for.
Though a bit on the pricey side, you pay for what you get and at San Giuliano you know you are getting consistently good food, great service and a great day, or night out.
If dining there for lunch, head downstairs to Café Raffael, San Giuliano's sister café and enjoy the sunshine that lingers there all afternoon.
San Giuliano Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner from noon to 14:30 and 19:00 - 23:00 (closed for lunch on Monday)
San Giuliano Restaurant
4, St Joseph Street,
St Julian's.
Contact: 21352000
