Gusto Review - Henry J Beans

A long day at work and a party planned for the evening :) Sounded fun until we realised that mainly nibbles would be served at the party and hubby and I were starving!! So out came Gustoand Henry J Beans was the place we chose for our pre-party mega-dinner… oh it was a great choice!

The location: Henry J Beans is found at the Corinthia Hotel in St. George’s Bay. If you’re early (like we were), parking is no hassle at all. Later on in the evening though, or on Saturday nights, your car has to be left a considerable distance away, unless you use the hotel’s parking area, come on foot or via motorbike :)

The place: Wonderfully decorated in an “all American” way and with visible big screens throughout the place to watch sport or the latest American shows (Disaster Date was on while we were there) :) It definitely provided lots of starting points for dinner conversation!

The menu: Let me say one thing: the portions are HUGE! We shared one starter – nachos with cheese which tasted great. We then had a burger each from their “Legendary Burgers” menu: one “Classic” and one “Mushroom and Jack Cheese”… yummy and so large we just could not finish our fries! To top everything off, we had scrumptious desserts: Mississippi Mud Pie and Hot Fudge Brownie – simply superb!

The staff: Generally helpful, efficient and unobtrusive. One particular member of the staff called Leighton deserves a special mention on the good side of things, while the man who took our reservation on the phone was somewhat brusque… but that can definitely be forgiven given our dinner experience at Henry J Beans!

Gusto: Got 50% off our food orders and saved €18 on an already good value-for-money selection :) Remember to call in advance and make a reservation, together with a mention of your intent to use the Gusto 50% offer.

P’s recommendation: For a meal in a relaxed atmosphere, when you’re starving and in the mood for an American hearty meal, Henry J Beans is the place to go! Oh, and their drinks and cocktails menu is a real treasure too! :) To save 50% off your food bill, get your Gusto Card here!

Gusto Review - Chukkas

Hubby and I needed a special place to have dinner with a married couple who are friends of ours.. we were looking for a place serving meat, in proper decent quantities and cooked to perfection, where we could park with no hassle, have a glass of wine and a chat... all 4 of us decided on Chukkas, as recommended by Gusto :)

The location: Chukkas, at the Malta Polo Club, is found in Marsa. The entrance, through a small, unassuming red door, is opposite to the entrance of the Royal Malta Golf Club. Parking in the street is not a problem as the road is not used much in the evenings.

The place: Wonderfully cozy and warm.. a welcome change from the cold air outside thanks to a number of heaters :) Tables are well spaced out, and you can tell from the way they are laid, that Chukkas means business. We could imagine the view overlooking the Marsa horse racetrack being grand!! We promised ourselves we would be back in daylight!

The menu: Meat, meat and more meat :) They also serve fish, and a selection of mouth-watering starters, but the meat is definitely the focal point! The men had the 700g beef T-bone each, cooked medium-rare to perfection.. their plates were polished clean! Us ladies settled for a 300g ribeye steak - heavenly! Cannot forget to mention the exquisite warm brownie with ice-cream I had for dessert.. hhmmmm!

The staff: They love their meat and their restaurant and they show it! They were extremely helpful while we were trying to navigate the menu! Excellent service with a smile :)

Gusto: We had two Gusto booklets (one per couple). We called in advance to book a table and mentioned that we'd like to use the 50% off offer. We did not have to mention it again on the night.. had no problems at all! And we saved 27 euro per couple!! :)

P's recommendation: In the mood for a meat feast? Think Chukkas! You will be set up for a pleasant meal in a one-of-a-kind ambiance (particularly in daylight), with people who know and love their meat.. and who will be happy to advise! :) And you can save 50% off your food bill for two by getting your Gusto Card here!

Gusto Review - Zeri's Restaurant

Sadly for me, I was working on Christmas Day this year... happily for me, hubby decided to take me out to dinner on Boxing Day :) I had been longing to go to Zeri's for a while, so out came Gusto. I called and made a reservation, and even more happily, they were accepting the 50% discount offer that evening!

The location: Overlooking the fabulous Portomaso marina with the lovely lovely boats! Parking in the Portomaso carpark is kindly offered by Zeri's. A wonderful hassle-free start to a memorable night :)

The place: Not too big, not to small... but just right :) Very stylish decor and cosy warm ambience. So easy to settle into and get very relaxed :)

The menu: Now where do I start!! In their own words, the menu is "imaginative and inspirational" and that is right on the mark :) Hubby's carrot and pumpkin soup was superlative and my fish cake starters were simply heavenly. We both had fish for main course and boy, they definitely know their fish! My fresh tuna was perfect and I had it down in a minute.. so much so that the Chef Patron himself came over to wonder where it all vanished to! :P

The staff: It is obvious that the staff are all excellent professionals. The service was impeccable!

Gusto: Booking required to get the 50% off your food bill for two.. but I promise, that is a VERY minor hassle for a meal that you will remember for a long time in the most positive of ways :) We saved 35 euro thanks to Gusto :)

P's recommendation: As you've noticed, I've waxed lyrical about this place.. and in all honesty, it deserves it all and more! If you're out to impress yourself and your dining partner, this is it! I will definitely be back! And you can save 50% off your food bill for two, by getting your Gusto card here :)

Gusto Review - Zeppi's Restaurant

On a weekday when I was off work, I visited my sister and her 3 week old lovely baby boy! We went for a short walk along the St. Julians promenade.. and around 11.30am, we got hungry! Out came Gusto... and Zeppi's Restaurant it was :)

The location: Tucked away in Balluta Bay St. Julians, overlooking the little public garden opposite the Bay. If you don't look hard enough, you might miss it.. so look carefully :) Free parking on the street is a major hassle on weekends, though the pay-per-use carpark of the Le Meridien hotel is a stone's throw away.

The place: Small and unassuming decor, with three tables on the ground floor, by the kitchen. More seating available upstairs, and tables are available al fresco in the public garden if the weather is right.

The menu: Includes everything you would expect to find including sandwiches and baguettes, pizza, pasta and meats. We had garlic bread with cheese for starters, rib eye steaks for mains, and Sacher torte and apple pie for dessert :) Yummy!

The staff: Impressive! Firstly, we were allowed to enter the restaurant 30 minutes before their opening time because being December, it had started to rain! We appreciated the consideration loads! Secondly, they were extremely helpful by making space at the table for our little angel in his huge baby cot! They were also polite, courteous and timely throughout our lunch :)

Gusto: Got 50% off our lunch for two.. and saved a total of 23 euro! They accepted Gusto right away, even though we did not call before or make a reservation.

P's recommendation: For fantastic considerate service, Zeppi's Restaurant is the place to go! :) The food is good and well portioned. Parking not a hassle if you don't mind parking 15 minutes away and walking, or if you don't mind paying a few extra euros for a pay-per-use carpark. And you can save 50% off your food bill for 2, by getting your Gusto Card here :)

Gusto Review - Lo Squero

On a coldish December weekday evening, hubby came home from work wanting a juicy steak! Immediately the thought made my mouth water.. and out came Gusto! Lo Squero it was :)

The location: The postal address is Floriana but to get there, drive to Valletta. Then take the Marsamxett road and turn down on the left, right along the Grand Excelsior hotel. Keep going down and down as if to the sea. At a sharp right bend, find a parking spot. You will see Lo Squero right ahead.

The place: On the waters edge.. a beautiful view across the sea to Sliema. The sea sparkling from the Sliema lights and the moonlight is spectacular :)

The menu: A great Italian selection - including an extremely varied pizza menu, antipasti, pasta, and main dishes involving chicken, duck, quail, lamb, veal, pork and beef! The Chateaubriand for two sounded great, but we eventually settled for one prime Argentinian ribeye with mushroom cream sauce and one fresh Argentinian fillet of beef with green pepper sauce. They served a lovely bread and butter basket while we waited!

The staff: Discreet, polite and easy to get their attention :)

Gusto: Accepted Gusto with no problems and we saved €22.00 off our midweek dinner out!

P's recommendation: For great steaks, a wonderful waters edge view and no-nonsense good service, this is the place for you! And save 50% off your food bill by getting your Gusto Card here!

Gusto Review - Il Fanal

Currently, hubby and I are upgrading our home.. and it's the kitchen's turn! As you can imagine, while spending some time without a kitchen top, sink or hob, we've taken to eating out quite a bit :) Suggested by Gusto, and being close to home, we've visited Il-Fanal twice this month...

The location: In the center of Marsascala's hub, opposite the sea on the right hand side when driving down via the new Marsascala bypass from Zabbar. Parking on the street not a problem on weekdays.. though a definite congestion problem exists on the weekend if you're with a private car.

The place: Typical Maltese noisy restaurant with tables quite snugly placed, where you can hear the conversation of the table next to you with considerable ease :) Down-to-earth, no-nonsense decor as a Maltese traditional piazza.

The menu: The place to go to is Il-Fanal if you cannot decide whether you want pizza, pasta, grills, chinese or burgers for lunch or dinner! They serve the lot! :) Food is well-portioned and on the good side of edible and tasty... not the place to go to for fancy plates or gourmet food.

The staff: Considering how busy this place always is, the service is acceptable.. that is if you're not in a hurry and are willing to have a laugh with your lunch/ dinner date over the conversation your fellow eaters are having at the table next to you :)

Gusto: No problem getting our 50% off dinner the first time, or a 10% discount the second time. No bookings or prior mention of Gusto needed. Completely hassle free, allowing last minute decisions for popping in for food :) Saved around 55 euro between the two meals - considering this place is really great value for money, that's a lot! Thank you Gusto!

P's recommendation: If you want to eat out, but have no idea what you feel like eating YET, go to Il-Fanal :) And if you really don't feel like dressing up (OK, maybe not on Saturday night) but do not want to look out of place, then again, Il-Fanal is the place for you :) And you can save 50% off your food bill by getting your Gusto Card here :)

Gusto Review - Basilico

After hanging around Sliema and Gzira all afternoon, hubby and I wanted a nice, relaxed dinner before heading home. After consulting Gusto for a restaurant suggestion, we decided on Basilico.

The location: Part of The Waterfront Hotel on the Gzira seafront, though having a separate entrance. Lovely views of Manoel Island as located on the first floor. Parking is not usually a problem as this restaurant is not bang in the middle of the ever-busy, traffic-congested Sliema :)

The place: Simply decorated and notably clean. Tables situated near the large glass windows with great views. You can feel at home after a couple of hours of shopping with tonnes of bags whether for lunch or dinner! :)

The menu: Definitely varied with a great selection of starters, salads, pasta, meat, chicken, pizza and fish :) The mushrooms in garlic starter served with a slice of warm bread was heavenly... hubby and I actually got one of each as we didn't want to share!! The beef rib eye was properly cooked (we ordered one medium-rare and one medium-well).. both were served exactly as ordered.

The staff: Immediately acknowledged us on walking in and served us graciously and knowledgeably with a smile throughout!

Gusto: Saved 22 euro off our dinner :) Accepted Gusto with no prior reservation and totally hassle-free!

P's recommendation: For a good, well-priced, lunch or dinner in Gzira (note for the foreigners: Gzira practically merges into Sliema), Basilico comes highly recommended! And there's enough space around your table for all your shopping bags too :) And you can save 50% off your food bill by getting your Gusto card here :)